How The Israeli Burma Road (and Its Name) Were Formed
The camouflaged path to Jerusalem was found by chance, by a Jewish soldier, who was given permission to walk to Tel-Aviv, if he could find a safe path. He found one, and reported it upon reaching Tel-Aviv. Later the footpath was developed so trucks could drive through it, and vital supplies could reach the Jewish population in Jerusalem again. An American journalist who followed these events nicknamed it the Burma Road (of Israel). Eventually it became its official name, which is indeed a bit confusing.
Touring Along the Israeli Burma Road
Today, some parts of the road are paved, but others are still a dirt road. Especially challenging, even for an off-road car, is the section nicknamed The serpentines. Here, the dirt road is quite steep. Along the road, a section of a water pipe can also be seen. It was places also in 1948, to insure a water supply to the Jewish parts of Jerusalem.