The Night Ducks Quacked War
On the evening of April 1, 1959, normal life in Israel was disrupted by an unexpected radio announcement that led to chaos and confusion. Kol Israel Radio interrupted its program to announce a general call-up of reserve units, using military code words that implied imminent danger. This caused civilians to prepare for a potential attack, while rumors spread rapidly. Lawmakers in the Knesset chamber were also caught off guard as they rushed to listen to the radio broadcast. Prime Minister Ben-Gurion tried to contact the IDF Chief of Staff but was initially dismissed as an April Fools’ prank. As tensions escalated, neighboring countries reacted to the news of Israel mobilizing its reserves. The situation was eventually clarified as being an exercise, leading to skepticism and conspiracy theories. A commission of inquiry was established to investigate how the drill had turned into a crisis, resulting in the stepping down of senior military officers. The incident, known as “The Night of the Ducks,” highlighted the importance of thorough verification and communication in military exercises.
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