Mitznefet (Israeli military)

The mitznefet (Hebrew: מִצְנֶפֶת) is a helmet covering used by the Israel Defense Forces since 1994. It is considerably larger than the helmet worn by infantry soldiers, having a similar appearance to a keffiyeh.[1] The main purpose of the covering is to break up what would otherwise be the distinctive outline of a helmeted human head, while also preventing light from reflecting off of the wearer's helmet for a tactical advantage, making it easier to camouflage when necessary.

For the Jewish priestly turban, see Priestly turban.

Mitznefet
מִצְנֶפֶת‎
Close-up of the covering worn by an infantry soldier from the Caracal Battalion, 2011
TypeHelmet cover
Place of originIsrael
Service history
In service1994
Used byIsrael Defense Forces
Wars
Production history
ManufacturerAgilite (modern version)

In the Hebrew language, the covering shares the same name as the priestly turban, which was worn by the High Priest of Israel in the Temple of Jerusalem[1] during the Second Temple period. The name originates from a Semitic root meaning to wrap.

History

The mitznefet was originally adopted by the Israeli military in the 1990s to provide tactical advantages to Israeli troops fighting Iranian-backed Lebanese guerrillas in the South Lebanon conflict.

It was later configured to have a two-sided camouflage material, with one side adopted for desert environments and the other for woodland terrain.

In 2015, it was reported that the coverings would be supplied to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.[2]

Design
Soldier from the Golani Brigade wearing the covering during a military drill, 2012

The covering is easily removable, and can be attached to the helmet while folded.[3] Additionally, the bulk of the covering can be pulled down to shade and protect any side of the wearer's head from direct sunlight exposure.[4]

It is made up of a reversible mesh fabric, with one side having woodland camo paint and the other side with a brown desert paint.[5] In 2013, the manufacturer Agilite announced a new version with MultiCam.[6]

References
  1. "Why do Israeli Soldiers Wear "Chef Hats"?".
  2. "Ukraine to get Israeli 'clown hat' helmet covers — report". The Times of Israel.
  3. Daniel Engber (11 August 2006). "Israeli Soldiers, Fashion Victims: Why are they wearing chef's hats?". Slate.com.
  4. "Ukraine to get Israeli 'clown hat' helmet covers — report". Times of Israel. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  5. Shachtman, Noah. "Why Are Israeli Soldiers Wearing Chef Hats?!?!". Wired.
  6. "Mitznefet Helmet Shape Breaker in Multicam | Popular Airsoft: Welcome To The Airsoft World". Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  • Media related to Mitznefet at Wikimedia Commons
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