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m Added Hebrew spelling of mitznefet: מִצְנֶפֶת)
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{{Short description|Infantry combat helmet covering}}
{{for|the religious headcover|Mitznefet}}
{{for|the Jewish priestly turban|Priestly turban}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Oxford spelling|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox military gear
| name = Mitznefet<br />{{nobold|{{lang|he|{{Script/Hebrew|מִצְנֶפֶת}}|rtl=yes}}}}
| image = Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Mixed Female, Male Caracal Battalion Holds First Joint Drill (12).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Close-up of the covering worn by an infantry soldier from the [[Caracal Battalion]], 2011
| type = [[Helmet cover]]
| origin = [[Israel]]
<!-- Service history -->
| service = 1994
| used_by = [[Israel Defense Forces]]
| wars = {{unbulletedlist
| [[South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000)|South Lebanon conflict]]
| [[First Intifada]]
| [[Second Intifada]]
| [[2006 Lebanon War]]
| [[Gaza War (2008–2009)|Operation Cast Lead]]
| [[2012 Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip|Operation Pillar of Defense]]
| [[2014 Gaza War]]
| [[2021 Israel–Palestine crisis|Operation Guardian of the Walls]]
| [[2023 Israel–Hamas war]]
}}
<!-- Production history -->
| designer =
| design_date =
| manufacturer = Agilite (modern version)
| unit_cost =
| production_date =
| number =
| variants =
<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label =
| weight = <!-- {{convert|123|kg|lb|abbr=on}} -->
| length = <!-- {{convert|123|cm|in|abbr=on}} -->
| width =
| height =
| diameter =
}}
⚫
[[file:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Paratrooper Brigade Drills.jpg|thumb|200px|This Israeli paratrooper also wears a ''mitznefet'' helmet cover]]
The '''''mitznefet''''' ({{langx|he|מִצְנֶפֶת}}) is a [[helmet cover]]ing used by the [[Israel Defense Forces]] since 1994. It is considerably larger than the helmet worn by infantry soldiers.<Ref name="AG">{{cite web | url=https://agilitegear.com/blogs/news/why-do-israeli-soldiers-wear-chef-hats | title=Why do Israeli Soldiers Wear "Chef Hats"? }}</ref> 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.


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 in Jerusalem|Temple of Jerusalem]]<Ref name="AG"/> during the [[Second Temple period]]. The name originates from a [[Semitic root]] meaning ''to wrap''.{{cn|date=March 2024}}
⚫
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Paratrooper Brigade Drills.jpg|200px|thumb|Israeli soldier wearing ''Mitznefet'' helmet cover]]


==History==
The '''Mitznefet''' (Hebrew מִצְנֶפֶת) is a covering for the [[infantry]] [[helmet]] used by the [[Israeli Defense Forces]] as of 1994. It is considerably larger than the helmet, giving the impression of a militarised [[chef's hat]]. The purpose of the floppy helmet cover is to break up the distinctive outline of a helmeted head and thus assist in the [[camouflage]] of the wearer. It was originally adapted in the 1990s for guerrilla warfare in the wood and bush land of south [[Lebanon]], later adding a two sided camo, one for desert and one for woodland terrain. The Mitznefet is easily removable, and can be attached to the helmet while folded.<ref>{{cite news|title=Israeli Soldiers, Fashion Victims: Why are they wearing chef's hats?|author=Daniel Engber|date=August 11, 2006|publisher=[[Slate.com]]|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2147495}}</ref>
The ''mitznefet'' was originally adopted by the Israeli military in the 1990s to provide tactical advantages to Israeli troops fighting Lebanese guerrillas in the [[South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000)|South Lebanon conflict]].{{cn|date=March 2024}}


It was later configured to have a two-sided camouflage material, with one side adapted for desert environments and the other for woodland terrain.{{cn|date=March 2024}}
The term comes from the [[mitznefet]], or turban, worn by the high priest in the [[Temple of Jerusalem]], originating in a [[Hebrew language]] [[Semitic root|root]] meaning "to wrap".

In 2015, it was reported that the coverings would be supplied to the [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ukraine-to-get-israeli-clown-hat-helmet-covers-report/ | title=Ukraine to get Israeli 'clown hat' helmet covers — report |last=Dolsten |first=Josefin |date=September 1, 2015 |website=[[The Times of Israel]] }}</ref>

==Design==
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - 13th Battalion of the Golani Brigade Holds Drill at Golan Heights (14).jpg|200px|thumb|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.<ref>{{cite news|title=Israeli Soldiers, Fashion Victims: Why are they wearing chef's hats?|author=Daniel Engber|date=August 11, 2006|publisher=[[Slate.com]]|url=http://www.slate.com/id/2147495}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine to get Israeli 'clown hat' helmet covers — report |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ukraine-to-get-israeli-clown-hat-helmet-covers-report/ |access-date=9 August 2018 |work=Times of Israel |date=1 September 2015}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.wired.com/2009/01/why-are-israeli/ | title=Why Are Israeli Soldiers Wearing Chef Hats?!?! | magazine=Wired | last1=Shachtman | first1=Noah |date=January 7, 2009}}</ref> In 2013, the manufacturer Agilite announced a new version with [[MultiCam]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.popularairsoft.com/news/mitznefet-helmet-shape-breaker-multicam|title=Mitznefet Helmet Shape Breaker in Multicam &#124; Popular Airsoft: Welcome To The Airsoft World|accessdate=30 March 2023}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Mitznefet}}

{{Helmets}}


[[Category:Military equipment of Israel]]
[[Category:Military equipment of Israel]]
[[Category:Military camouflage]]
[[Category:Camouflage systems]]
[[Category:Headgear]]
[[Category:Headgear]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1990s]]

[[Category:Self-decoration camouflage]]
{{Israel-mil-stub}}
{{Israel-mil-stub}}

Latest revision as of 08:10, 9 December 2024

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)
This Israeli paratrooper also wears a mitznefet helmet cover

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.[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.

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.[citation needed]

History

[edit]

The mitznefet was originally adopted by the Israeli military in the 1990s to provide tactical advantages to Israeli troops fighting Lebanese guerrillas in the South Lebanon conflict.[citation needed]

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

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

Design

[edit]
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

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Why do Israeli Soldiers Wear "Chef Hats"?".
  2. ^ Dolsten, Josefin (1 September 2015). "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 (7 January 2009). "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.
[edit]
  • Media related to Mitznefet at Wikimedia Commons
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