The IDF were trialling the FN MAG (the original Belgian GPMG) circa 1965, and it went on to replace the Browning.

But was it in general (regular) unit issue for the 6 Day war beyond the elite units ? 

Reference and images appreciated.

Sorry can't help with that one

Quote from: Sunray on 09 June 2020, 08:32:56 AM
The IDF were trialling the FN MAG (the original Belgian GPMG) circa 1965, and it went on to replace the Browning.

But was it in general (regular) unit issue for the 6 Day war beyond the elite units ?  

Reference and images appreciated.

The answer depends on if you consider the Golani Brigade part of the Israeli elite

https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=_7MODAAAQBAJ&pg=PA78&lpg=PA78&dq=fn+mag+israel+1967&source=bl&ots=qg8DJW2Xnt&sig=ACfU3U2mK3TzOdv9FzvoP3e_z2p4eMPcog&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiRpcrn1fTpAhUURhUIHeSuBzMQ6AEwDHoECAwQAQ#v=onepage&q=fn%20mag%20israel%201967&f=false

Although on further reading the book is a little ambiguous as it covers 1967 and 1973

Avalanche Press seem to think it was general issue in 1967

http://www.avalanchepress.com/SwordIsraeli1.php

Thank you! This is most useful. The Golani are in the same category as the Aussies in the WW2 western desert. I would rate them as elite.  They had a very useful recon unit that was included in the Entebbe raid.   They were not just selection, mental attitude and training, they were battle hardened.

Over a lot of  Goldstar beers at a Kosher Yafo wedding reception I was advised that a degree of friction existed when the 101 Group was merged with the Paratroopers.  
Some of the old and bold favoured stealth and reserve service took them to the Golani Brigade.   This Egoz mindset saw the recruitment of a recon unit inside the  Brigade and fed into the Seyeret Matkal.

It comes back to the task.  Paras by definition drop from the sky. Hard to hid, they go for broke. Special Forces slip in unannounced by stealth.  Once the IDF got the tank/APC balance and tactics right, it was the Golani that made it a war winner.

There is an Osprey on the FN Mag- I would expect that to give a definitive answer

The Golani Brigade does it for me.   Thanks for your help.  See personal message.