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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF; Hebrew: צְבָא
הַהֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל Tsva ha-Hagana le-Yisra'el, lit. "The Army
of Defense for Israel"; Arabic: جيش الدفاع الإسرائيلي), commonly known in
Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal (צה״ל), are the military forces of the State of Israel.
They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of
the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel. The IDF is headed
by its Chief of General Staff, the Ramatkal, subordinate to the Defense Minister of Israel;
Lieutenant General (Rav Aluf) Aviv Kochavi has served as Chief of Staff since January
15, 2019. An order from Defense Minister David Ben-Gurion
on 26 May 1948 officially set up the Israel Defense Forces as a conscript army formed
out of the paramilitary group Haganah, incorporating the militant groups Irgun and Lehi.
The IDF
served as Israel's armed forces in all the country's major military operations—including
the 1948 War of Independence, 1951–1956 Retribution operations, 1956 Sinai War, 1964–1967
War over Water, 1967 Six-Day War, 1967–1970 War of Attrition, 1968 Battle of Karameh,
1973 Operation Spring of Youth, 1973 Yom Kippur War, 1976 Operation Entebbe, 1978 Operation
Litani, 1982 Lebanon War, 1982–2000 South Lebanon conflict, 1987–1993 First Intifada,
2000–2005 Second Intifada, 2002 Operation Defensive Shield, 2006 Lebanon War, 2008–2009
Operation Cast Lead, 2012 Operation Pillar of Defense, and 2014 Operation Protective
Edge. According to GlobalSecurity.org, the number of wars and border conflicts in which
the IDF has been involved in its short history makes it one of the most battle-trained armed
forces in the world.
While originally the IDF operated on three fronts—against Lebanon
and Syria in the north, Jordan and Iraq in the east, and Egypt in the south—after the
1979 Egyptian–Israeli Peace Treaty, it has concentrated its activities in southern Lebanon
and the Palestinian Territories, including the First and the Second Intifada.
The Israel Defense Forces is unique in its inclusion of mandatory conscription of women
and its structure, which emphasizes close relations between the army, navy, and air
force. Since its founding, the IDF has been specifically designed to match Israel's unique
security situation. The IDF is one of Israeli society's most prominent institutions, influencing
the country's economy, culture and political scene. In 1965, the Israel Defense Forces
was awarded the Israel Prize for its contribution to education. The IDF uses several technologies
developed in Israel, many of them made specifically to match the IDF's needs, such as the Merkava
main battle tank, Achzarit armoured personnel carrier, high tech weapons systems, the Iron
Dome missile defense system, Trophy active protection system for vehicles, and the Galil
and Tavor assault rifles.
The Uzi submachine gun was invented in Israel and used by the
IDF until December 2003, ending a service that began in 1954. Since 1967, the IDF has
had close military relations with the United States, including development cooperation,
such as on the F-15I jet, THEL laser defense system, and the Arrow missile defense system.
The Israel Defense Forces are believed to have had an operational nuclear weapons capability
since 1967, possibly possessing between 80 and 400 nuclear weapons, with delivery systems
forming a nuclear triad, of plane launched-missiles, Jericho III intercontinental ballistic missiles
and submarine launched cruise missiles. == Etymology ==
The Israeli cabinet ratified the name "Israel Defense Forces" (Hebrew: צְבָא הַהֲגָנָה
לְיִשְׂרָאֵל), Tzva HaHagana LeYisra'el, literally "army for the defense of Israel,"
on 26 May 1948. The other main contender was Tzva Yisra'el (Hebrew: צְבָא יִשְׂרָאֵל).
The name was chosen because it conveyed the idea that the army's role was defense, and
because it incorporated the name Haganah, the pre-state defensive organization upon
which the new army was based.
Among the primary opponents of the name were Minister Haim-Moshe
Shapira and the Hatzohar party, both in favor of Tzva Yisra'el. == History == The IDF traces its roots to Jewish paramilitary
organizations in the New Yishuv, starting with the Second Aliyah (1904 to 1914). The
first such organization was Bar-Giora, founded in September 1907. Bar-Giora was transformed
into Hashomer in April 1909, which operated until the British Mandate of Palestine came
into being in 1920. Hashomer was an elitist organization with narrow scope, and was mainly
created to protect against criminal gangs seeking to steal property. The Zion Mule Corps
and the Jewish Legion, both part of the British Army of World War I, would further bolster
the Yishuv with military experience and manpower, forming the basis for later paramilitary forces.
After the 1920 Palestine riots against Jews in April 1920, the Yishuv leadership realised
the need for a nationwide underground defense organization, and the Haganah was founded
in June of the same year.
The Haganah became a full-scale defense force after the 1936–1939
Arab revolt in Palestine with an organized structure, consisting of three main units—the
Field Corps, Guard Corps, and the Palmach. During World War II, the Yishuv participated
in the British war effort, culminating in the formation of the Jewish Brigade. These
would eventually form the backbone of the Israel Defense Forces, and provide it with
its initial manpower and doctrine. Following Israel's Declaration of Independence,
Prime Minister and Defense Minister David Ben-Gurion issued an order for the formation
of the Israel Defense Forces on 26 May 1948. Although Ben-Gurion had no legal authority
to issue such an order, the order was made legal by the cabinet on 31 May. The same order
called for the disbandment of all other Jewish armed forces.
The two other Jewish underground
organizations, Irgun and Lehi, agreed to join the IDF if they would be able to form independent
units and agreed not to make independent arms purchases. This was the background for the
Altalena Affair, a confrontation surrounding weapons purchased by the Irgun resulting in
a standoff between Irgun members and the newly created IDF. The affair came to an end when
Altalena, the ship carrying the arms, was shelled by the IDF. Following the affair,
all independent Irgun and Lehi units were either disbanded or merged into the IDF. The
Palmach, a leading component of the Haganah, also joined the IDF with provisions, and Ben
Gurion responded by disbanding its staff in 1949, after which many senior Palmach officers
retired, notably its first commander, Yitzhak Sadeh.
The new army organized itself when the 1947–48 Civil War in Mandatory Palestine escalated
into the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, which saw neighbouring Arab states attack. Twelve infantry
and armored brigades formed: Golani, Carmeli, Alexandroni, Kiryati, Givati, Etzioni, the
7th, and 8th armored brigades, Oded, Harel, Yiftach, and Negev. After the war, some of
the brigades were converted to reserve units, and others were disbanded.
Directorates and
corps were created from corps and services in the Haganah, and this basic structure in
the IDF still exists today. Immediately after the 1948 war, the Israel-Palestinian
conflict shifted to a low intensity conflict between the IDF and Palestinian fedayeen.
In the 1956 Suez Crisis, the IDF's first serious test of strength after 1949, the new army
captured the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, which was later returned. In the 1967 Six-Day War,
Israel conquered the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip, West Bank (including East Jerusalem)
and Golan Heights from the surrounding Arab states, changing the balance of power in the
region as well as the role of the IDF. In the following years leading up to the Yom
Kippur War, the IDF fought in the War of Attrition against Egypt in the Sinai and a border war
against the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in Jordan, culminating in the Battle
of Karameh. The surprise of the Yom Kippur War and its
aftermath completely changed the IDF's procedures and approach to warfare. Organizational changes
were made and more time was dedicated to training for conventional warfare.
However, in the
following years the army's role slowly shifted again to low-intensity conflict, urban warfare
and counter-terrorism. An example of the latter was the successful 1976 Operation Entebbe
commando raid to free hijacked airline passengers being held captive in Uganda. During this
era, the IDF also mounted a successful bombing mission in Iraq to destroy its nuclear reactor.
It was involved in the Lebanese Civil War, initiating Operation Litani and later the
1982 Lebanon War, where the IDF ousted Palestinian guerilla organizations from Lebanon.
Palestinian
militancy has been the main focus of the IDF ever since, especially during the First and
Second Intifadas, Operation Defensive Shield, the Gaza War, Operation Pillar of Defense,
and Operation Protective Edge, causing the IDF to change many of its values and publish
the IDF Spirit. The Lebanese Shia organization Hezbollah has also been a growing threat,
against which the IDF fought an asymmetric conflict between 1982 and 2000, as well as
a full-scale war in 2006.
== Organization == All branches of the IDF answer to a single
General Staff. The Chief of the General Staff is the only serving officer having the rank
of Lieutenant General (Rav Aluf). He reports directly to the Defense Minister and indirectly
to the Prime Minister of Israel and the cabinet. Chiefs of Staff are formally appointed by
the cabinet, based on the Defense Minister's recommendation, for three years, but the government
can vote to extend their service to four (and on rare occasions even five) years.
The current
chief of staff is Aviv Kochavi. He replaced Gadi Eizenkot in 2019. === Structure ===
The IDF includes the following bodies (those whose respective heads are members of the
General Staff are in bold): === Units === === Ranks, uniforms and insignia === ==== Ranks ==== Unlike most militaries, the IDF uses the same
rank names in all corps, including the air force and navy. For ground forces' officers,
rank insignia are brass on a red background; for the air force, silver on a blue background;
and for the navy, the standard gold worn on the sleeve. Officer insignia are worn on epaulets
on top of both shoulders. Insignia distinctive to each service are worn on the cap (see fig.
15). Enlisted grades wear rank insignia on the
sleeve, halfway between the shoulder and the elbow. For the army and air force, the insignia
are white with blue interwoven threads backed with the appropriate corps color. Navy personnel
wear gold-colored rank insignia sewn on navy blue material.
From the formation of the IDF until the late 1980s, sergeant major was a particularly important
warrant officer rank, in line with usage in other armies.
However, in the 1980s and 1990s
the proliferating ranks of sergeant major became devalued, and now all professional
non-commissioned officer ranks are a variation on sergeant major (rav samal) with the exception
of rav nagad. All translations here are the official translations
of the IDF's website.Conscripts (Hogrim) (Conscript ranks may be gained purely on time served) Private (Turai)
Corporal (Rav Turai) Sergeant (Samal)
First Sergeant (Samal Rishon)Warrant Officers (Nagadim) Sergeant First Class (Rav Samal)
Master Sergeant (Rav Samal Rishon) Sergeant Major (Rav Samal Mitkadem)
Warrant Officer (Rav Samal Bakhir) Master Warrant Officer (Rav Nagad Mishneh)
Chief Warrant Officer (Rav Nagad)Academic officers (Ktzinim Akadema'im) Professional Academic Officer (Katzin Miktzo'i
Akadema'i) Senior Academic Officer (Katzin Akadema'i
Bakhir)Officers (Ktzinim) Second Lieutenant (Segen Mishneh) [1951–Present]
Lieutenant (Segen) Captain (Seren)
Major (Rav Seren) Lieutenant Colonel (Sgan Aluf)
Colonel (Aluf Mishneh) [1950–Present] Brigadier General (Tat Aluf) [1968–Present]
Major General (Aluf) [1948–Present] Lieutenant General (Rav Aluf) ==== Uniforms ==== The Israel Defense Forces has several types
of uniforms: Service dress (מדי אלף Madei Alef – Uniform
"A") – the everyday uniform, worn by enlisted soldiers.
Field dress ( מדי ב Madei Bet – Uniform "B") – worn into combat, training, work
on base.The first two resemble each other but the Madei Alef is made of higher quality
materials in a golden-olive while the madei bet is in olive drab.
The dress uniforms may
also exhibit a surface shine Officers / Ceremonial dress (מדי שרד
madei srad) – worn by officers, or during special events/ceremonies.
Dress uniform and mess dress – worn only abroad. There are several dress uniforms depending
on the season and the branch.The service uniform for all ground forces personnel is olive green;
navy and air force uniforms are beige (tan). The uniforms consist of a two-pocket shirt,
combat trousers, sweater, jacket or blouse, and shoes or boots. The navy also has an all
white dress uniform. The green fatigues are the same for winter and summer and heavy winter
gear is issued as needed. Women's dress parallels the men's but may substitute a skirt for the
trousers. Headgear included a service cap for dress
and semi-dress and a field cap or bush hat worn with fatigues. IDF personnel generally
wear berets in lieu of the service cap and there are many beret colors issued to IDF
personnel. Paratroopers are issued a maroon beret, Golani brown, Givati purple, Nahal
lime green, Kfir camouflage, Combat Engineers gray, navy blue for IDF Naval and dark grey
for IDF Air Force personnel.
Other beret colors are: black for armored corps, turquoise for
artillery personnel; olive drab for infantry; grey for combat engineers. For all other army
personnel, except combat units, the beret for men was green and for women, black. Women
in the navy wore a black beret with gold insignia. Males in the navy once wore a blue/black beret
but replaced it with the US Navy's sailor cap.
Some corps or units have small variations in their uniforms – for instance, military
policemen wear a white belt and police hat, Naval personnel have dress whites for parades,
paratroopers are issued a four pocket tunic (yarkit) meant to be worn untucked with a
pistol belt cinched tight around the waist over the shirt.
The IDF Air Corps has a dress
uniform consisting of a pale blue shirt with dark blue trousers. Similarly, while most
IDF soldiers are issued black leather boots, certain units issue reddish-brown leather
boots for historical reasons — the paratroopers, combat medics, Nahal and Kfir Brigades, as
well as some SF units (Sayeret Matkal, Oketz, Duvdevan, Maglan, and the Counter-Terror School).
Women were also formerly issued sandals, but this practice has ceased. ==== Insignia ==== IDF soldiers have three types of insignia
(other than rank insignia) which identify their corps, specific unit, and position.
A pin attached to the beret identifies a soldier's corps. Soldiers serving in staffs above corps
level are often identified by the General Corps pin, despite not officially belonging
to it, or the pin of a related corps.
New recruits undergoing basic training (tironut)
do not have a pin. Beret colors are also often indicative of the soldier's corps, although
most non-combat corps do not have their own beret, and sometimes wear the color of the
corps to which the post they're stationed in belongs. Individual units are identified
by a shoulder tag attached to the left shoulder strap. Most units in the IDF have their own
tags, although those that do not, generally use tags identical to their command's tag
(corps, directorate, or regional command). While one cannot always identify the position/job
of a soldier, two optional factors help make this identification: an aiguillette attached
to the left shoulder strap and shirt pocket, and a pin indicating the soldier's work type
(usually given by a professional course).
Other pins may indicate the corps or additional
courses taken. Finally, an optional battle pin indicates a war that a soldier has fought
in. == Service == ===
Military service routes === The military service is held in three different
tracks: Regular service (שירות חובה): mandatory
military service which is held according to the Israeli security service law.
Permanent service (שירות קבע): military service which is held as part of a contractual
agreement between the IDF and the permanent position-holder.
Reserve service (שירות מילואים): a military service in which citizens are called
for active duty of at most a month every year (in accordance with the Reserve Service Law),
for training and ongoing military activities and especially for the purpose of increasing
the military forces in case of a war.Sometimes the IDF would also hold pre-military courses
(קורס קדם צבאי or קד"צ) for soon-to-be regular service soldiers. === Special service routes ===
Shoher (שוחר), a person enrolled in pre-military studies (high school, technical college up
to engineering degree, some of the קד"ץ courses) – after completing the twelfth
study year will do a two-month boot-camp and, if allowed, enter a program of education to
qualify as a practical engineer, with at least two weeks of training following each study
year.
Successful candidates will continue for an engineering bachelor degree. The Shoher
will be enrolled into regular service if he dropped out before finished their P.A. education
or in any finishing education stage (after high school, after P.A. or after receiving
the bachelor's degree). Another example of a Shoher is a programmer that is under the
programming course of School for Computer Professions (Hebrew: בית הספר למקצועות
המחשב, abbr. Basmach Hebrew: בסמ"ח).
The course usually lasts about six months,
and at its peak, the Shoher receives a programmer badge. The Shoher will have the ability to
serve in R&D units without having the engineering credentials if an officer finds him as worthy,
and could recommend him for the R&D units. R&D units have the option to provide Hebrew:
על תקן מהנדס certificate for few selected personal to allow the person
to work on life-saving or flight equipment without having an Eng. license (the certificate
is not valid for medical R&D machinery). The certificate is provided by the highest in
command in the research field (as an example for the Air Force it is the Chief of Equipment
Group). Civilian working for the IDF (Hebrew: אזרח
עובד צה"ל), a civilian working for the military.The Israeli Manpower Directorate
(Hebrew: אגף משאבי אנוש) at the Israeli General Staff is the body which
coordinates and assembles activities related to the control over human resources and its
placement.
==== Regular service ==== National military service is mandatory for
all Israeli citizens over the age of 18, although Arab (but not Druze) citizens are exempted
if they so please, and other exceptions may be made on religious, physical or psychological
grounds (see Profile 21). The Tal law, which exempts ultra-Orthodox Jews from service,
has been the subject of several court cases as well as considerable legislative controversy.
Until the draft of July 2015, men served three years in the IDF. Men drafted as of July 2015
and later will serve two years and eight months (32 months), with some roles requiring an
additional four months of Permanent service. Women serve two years.
The IDF women who volunteer
for several combat positions often serve for three years, due to the longer period of training.
Women in other positions, such as programmers, who also require lengthy training time, may
also serve three years. Some distinguished recruits are selected to
be trained in order to eventually become members of special forces units. Every brigade in
the IDF has its own special force branch. Career soldiers are paid on average NIS 23,000
a month, fifty times the NIS 460 paid to conscripts.In 1998–2000, only about 9% of those who refused
to serve in the Israeli military were granted exemption. ==== Permanent service ====
Permanent service is designed for soldiers who choose to continue serving in the army
after their regular service, for a short or long period, and in many cases making the
military their career.
Permanent service usually begins immediately after the mandatory Regular
service period, but there are also soldiers who get released from military at the end
of the mandatory Regular service period and who get recruited back to the military as
Permanent service soldiers in a later period. Permanent service is based on a contractual
agreement between the IDF and the permanent position holder. The service contract defines
how long the soldier's service would be, and towards the end of the contract period a discussion
may rise on the extension of the soldier's service duration.
Many times, regular service
soldiers are required to commit to a permanent service after the mandatory Regular service
period, in exchange for assigning them in military positions which require a long training
period. In exchange for the Permanent service, the
Permanent service soldiers receive full wages, and when serving for a long period as a permanent
service soldier, they are also entitled for a pension from the army.
This right is given
to the Permanent service soldiers in a relatively early stage of their life in comparison to
the rest of the Israeli retirees. ==== Reserve service ==== After personnel complete their regular service,
they are either granted permanent exemption from military service, or assigned a position
in the reserve forces. There is no distinction between assignment of men or women to reserve
service. The IDF may call up reservists for: reserve service of up to one month every three
years, until the age of 40 (enlisted) or 45 (officers). Reservists may volunteer after
this age, with approval of the Manpower Directorate. immediate active duty in wartime.All Israelis
who served in the IDF and are under the age of 40, unless otherwise exempt, are eligible
for reserve duty.
However, only those who completed at least 20 days of reserve duty
within the past three years are considered active reservists.In most cases, the reserve
duty is carried out in the same unit for years, in many cases the same unit as the active
service and by the same people. Many soldiers who have served together in active service
continue to meet in reserve duty for years after their discharge, causing reserve duty
to become a strong male bonding experience in Israeli society.
Although still available for call-up in times of crisis, most Israeli men, and virtually
all women, do not actually perform reserve service in any given year. In 2015, only 26%
of the population eligible for reserve duty held an active reserve status. The IDF has
reduced the amount of reserve soldiers called up to improve efficiency and cut costs. Units
do not always call up all of their reservists every year, and a variety of exemptions are
available if called for regular reserve service. Virtually no exemptions exist for reservists
called up in a time of crisis, but experience has shown that in such cases (most recently,
the 2014 Operation Protective Edge) exemptions are rarely requested or exercised; units generally
achieve recruitment rates above those considered fully manned.
Legislation (approved in April 2008) has reformed
the reserve service, lowering the maximum service age to 40 for enlisted, and 45 for
officers, designating it as an emergency and security force (disallowing routine duties
that may be carried out by the active forces), as well as many other changes to the structure
(although the Defense Minister can suspend any portion of it at any time for security
reasons). The age threshold for many reservists whose positions are listed and updated yearly
by the Knesset through the Occupations executive order is fixed at 45 or 49, depending on their
military occupation and position. === Non-IDF service ===
Other than the National Service (Sherut Leumi), IDF conscripts may serve in bodies other than
the IDF in a number of ways. The combat option is Israel Border Police
(Magav – the exact translation from Hebrew means "border guard") service, part of the
Israel Police. Some soldiers complete their IDF combat training and later undergo additional
counter terror and Border Police training. These are assigned to Border Police units.
The Border Police units fight side by side with the regular IDF combat units though to
a lower capacity.
They are also responsible for security in heavy urban areas such as
Jerusalem and security and crime fighting in rural areas.
Non-combat services include the Mandatory Police Service (Shaham) program, where youth
serve in the Israeli Police, Israel Prison Service, or other wings of the Israeli Security
Forces instead of the regular army service. === Women === Israel is one of only a few nations that conscript
women or deploy them in combat roles, although in practice, women can avoid conscription
through a religious exemption and over a third of Israeli women do so.
As of 2010, 88% of
all roles in the IDF are open to female candidates, and women could be found in 69% of all IDF
positions.According to the IDF, 535 female Israeli soldiers were killed in combat operations
in the period 1962–2016, and dozens before then. The IDF says that fewer than 4 percent
of women are in combat positions. Rather, they are concentrated in "combat-support"
positions which command a lower compensation and status than combat positions.Civilian
pilot and aeronautical engineer Alice Miller successfully petitioned the High Court of
Justice to take the Israeli Air Force pilot training exams, after being rejected on grounds
of gender. Though president Ezer Weizman, a former IAF commander, told Miller that she
would be better off staying home and darning socks, the court eventually ruled in 1996
that the IAF could not exclude qualified women from pilot training. Even though Miller would
not pass the exams, the ruling was a watershed, opening doors for women in new IDF roles.
Female legislators took advantage of the momentum to draft a bill allowing women to volunteer
for any position, if they could qualify.In 2000 the Equality amendment to the Military
Service law stated that the right of women to serve in any role in the IDF is equal to
the right of men.
A study of women in the IDF from 2002 to 2005 found that women often
exhibit "superior skills" in discipline, motivation and marksmanship. However, the study noted
that women still face gender discrimination in the IDF. Women have served in the military
since before the founding of the state of Israel in 1948. Women started to enter combat
support and light combat roles in a few areas, including the Artillery Corps, infantry units
and armored divisions.
A few platoons named Karakal were formed for men and women to serve
together in light infantry. By 2000 Karakal became a full-fledged battalion, with a second
mixed-gender battalion, Lions of the Jordan (אריות הירדן, Arayot Ha-Yarden)
formed in 2015. Many women also joined the Border Police.In June 2011 Maj. General Orna
Barbivai became the first female major general in the IDF, replacing head of the directorate
Maj. General Avi Zamir. Barbivai stated, "I am proud to be the first woman to become a
major general and to be part of an organization in which equality is a central principle.
Ninety percent of jobs in the IDF are open to women and I am sure that there are other
women who will continue to break down barriers."In 2013 the IDF announced they would, for the
first time, allow a (MTF) transgender woman to serve in the army as a female soldier.Elana
Sztokman notes it would be "difficult to claim that women are equals in the IDF".
"And tellingly,
there is only one female general in the entire IDF," she adds. In 2012 religious soldiers
claimed they were promised they would not have to listen to women sing or lecture, but
IAF Chief Rabbi Moshe Raved resigned because male religious soldiers were being required
to do so. In January 2015 three women IDF singers performed in one of the IDF's units.
The performance was first disrupted by fifteen religious soldiers, who left in protest and
then the Master Sergeant forced the women to end the performance because it was disturbing
the religious soldiers. An IDF spokesperson announced an investigation of the incident:
"We are aware of the incident and already began examining it. The exclusion of woman
is not consistent with the values of the IDF." Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon has also arranged
for women to be excluded from recruitment centers catering to religious males. As the
IDF recruits more religious soldiers, the rights of male religious soldiers and of women
in the IDF come into conflict. Brig. Gen. Zeev Lehrer, who served on the chief of staff's
panel of the integration of women, noted "There is a clear process of 'religionization' in
the army, and the story of the women is a central piece of it.
There are very strong
pressures at work to halt the process of integrating women into the army, and they are coming from
the direction of religion." Sex segregation is allowed in the IDF, which reached what
it considers a "new milestone" in 2006, creating the first company of soldiers segregated in
an all female unit, the Nachshol (Hebrew for "giant wave") Reconnaissance Company. "We
are the only unit in the world made up entirely of female combat soldiers," said Nachshol
Company Commander Cpt. Dana Ben-Ezra. "Our effectiveness and the dividends we earn are
the factors by which we are measured, not our gender." == Minorities in the IDF ==
Non-Jewish minorities tended to serve in one of several special units: the Minorities Unit,
also known as Unit 300; the Druze Reconnaissance Unit; and the Trackers Unit, composed mostly
of Negev Bedouins.
In 1982 the IDF general staff decided to integrate the armed forces
by opening up other units to minorities, while placing some Jewish conscripts in the Minorities
Unit. Until 1988 the intelligence corps and the air force remained closed to minorities. === Druze and Circassians === Although Israel has a majority of Jewish soldiers,
all citizens including large numbers of Druze and Circassian men are subject to mandatory
conscription. Originally, they served in the framework of a special unit called "The Minorities'
Unit", which operated until 2015 in the form of the independent Herev Gdud ("Sword") battalion.
However, since the 1980s Druze soldiers have increasingly protested this practice, which
they considered a means of segregating them and denying them access to elite units (like
sayeret units). The army has increasingly admitted Druze soldiers to regular combat
units and promoted them to higher ranks from which they had been previously excluded. In
2015 Rav Aluf Gadi Eizenkot ordered the unit's closure in order to assimilate the Druze soldiers
no differently than Jewish soldiers, as part of an ongoing reorganization of the army.
Several Druze officers reached ranks as high as Major General, and many received commendations
for distinguished service.
In proportion to their numbers, the Druze people achieve much
higher—documented—levels in the Israeli army than other soldiers. Nevertheless, some
Druze still charge that discrimination continues, such as exclusion from the Air Force, although
the official low security classification for Druze has been abolished for some time. The
first Druze aircraft navigator completed his training course in 2005; like all air force
pilots, his identity is not disclosed. During the Israeli War of Independence, many Druze
who had initially sided with the Arabs deserted their ranks to either return to their villages
or side with Israel in various capacities.Since the late 1970s the Druze Initiative Committee,
centered at the village of Beit Jan and linked to the Israeli Communist Party, has campaigned
to abolish Druze conscription. Military service is a tradition among some
of the Druze population, with most opposition in Druze communities of the Golan Heights;
83 percent of Druze boys serve in the army, according to the IDF's statistics. According
to the Israeli army in 2010, 369 Druze soldiers had been killed in combat operations since
1948.
=== Bedouins and Israeli Arabs === By law, all Israeli citizens are subject to
conscription. The Defense Minister has complete discretion to grant exemption to individual
citizens or classes of citizens. A long-standing policy dating to Israel's early years extends
an exemption to all other Israeli minorities (most notably Israeli Arabs). However, there
is a long-standing government policy of encouraging Bedouins to volunteer and of offering them
various inducements, and in some impoverished Bedouin communities a military career seems
one of the few means of (relative) social mobility available. Also, Muslims and Christians
are accepted as volunteers, even if older than 18.From among non-Bedouin Arab citizens,
the number of volunteers for military service—some Christian Arabs and even a few Muslim Arabs—is
minute, and the government makes no special effort to increase it.
Six Israeli Arabs have
received orders of distinction as a result of their military service; of them the most
famous is a Bedouin officer, Lieutenant Colonel Abd el-Majid Hidr (also known as Amos Yarkoni),
who received the Order of Distinction. Vahid el Huzil was the first Bedouin to be a battalion
commander.Until the second term of Yitzhak Rabin as Prime Minister (1992–1995), social
benefits given to families in which at least one member (including a grandfather, uncle
or cousin) had served at some time in the armed forces were significantly higher than
to "non-military" families, which was considered a means of blatant discrimination between
Jews and Arabs.
Rabin led the abolition of the measure, in the teeth of strong opposition
from the Right. At present, the only official advantage from military service is the attaining
of security clearance and serving in some types of government positions (in most cases,
security-related), as well as some indirect benefits.
Rather than perform army service, Israeli Arab youths have the option to volunteer to
national service and receive benefits similar to those received by discharged soldiers.
The volunteers are generally allocated to Arab populations, where they assist with social
and community matters. As of 2010 1,473 Arabs were volunteering for national service. According
to sources in the national service administration, Arab leaders are counseling youths to refrain
from performing services to the state. According to a National Service official, "For years
the Arab leadership has demanded, justifiably, benefits for Arab youths similar to those
received by discharged soldiers.
Now, when this opportunity is available, it is precisely
these leaders who reject the state's call to come and do the service, and receive these
benefits".Although Arabs are not obliged to serve in IDF, any Arab can volunteer. In 2008
a Muslim Arab woman was serving as a medic with unit 669.Cpl. Elinor Joseph from Haifa
became the first female Arab combat soldier for IDF. Joseph said "there was a Katyusha
[rocket] that fell near my house and also hurt Arabs. If someone would tell me that
serving in the IDF means killing Arabs, I remind them that Arabs also kill Arabs."Other
Arab-Muslim officers who have served in the IDF are Second Lieutenant Hisham Abu Varia
and Major Ala Wahib, the highest ranking Muslim officer in the IDF in 2013. In October 2012 the IDF promoted Mona Abdo
to become the first female Christian Arab to the rank of combat commander. Abdo had
voluntarily enlisted in the IDF, which her family had encouraged, and transferred from
the Ordnance Corps to the Caracal Battalion, a mixed-gender unit with both Jewish and Arab
soldiers.In 2014 an increase of Israeli Christian Arabs joining the army was reported.
=== Ethiopian Jews ===
The IDF carried out extended missions in Ethiopia and neighboring states, whose purpose was
to protect Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel) and to help their immigration to Israel. The IDF
adopted policies and special activities for absorption and integration of Ethiopian immigrant
soldiers, reported to have much improved the achievements and integration of those soldiers
in the army, and Israeli society in general. Statistical research showed that the Ethiopian
soldiers are esteemed as excellent soldiers and many aspire to be recruited to combat
units. === Haredim === Men in the Haredi community may choose to
defer service while enrolled in yeshivot (see Tal committee); many avoid conscription altogether.
This special arrangement is called Torato Omanuto, and has given rise to tensions between
the Israeli religious and secular communities. While options exist for Haredim to serve in
the IDF in an atmosphere accommodating to their religious convictions, most Haredim
do not choose to serve in the IDF.
Haredi males have the option of serving in
the 97th "Netzah Yehuda" Infantry Battalion. This unit is a standard IDF infantry battalion
focused on the Jenin region. To facilitate Haredi soldiers to serve, the Netzah Yehuda
military bases follow the standards of Jewish dietary laws; the only women permitted on
these bases are wives of soldiers and officers. Additionally, some Haredim serve in the IDF
via the Hesder system, principally designed for the Religious Zionist sector; it is a
5-year program which includes 2 years of religious studies, 1½ years of military service and
1½ years of religious studies during which the soldiers can be recalled to active duty
at any moment.
Haredi soldiers may join other units of the IDF, but rarely do.
The IDF has identified a gap of hundreds of soldiers in their technical units that might
be filled by the Haredi. The IAF is currently using defense contractors to fill in the gaps
and continue operations.Although the IDF claims it will not discriminate against women, it
is offering Haredim "women free and secular free" recruitment centers. Defense Minister
Moshe Ya'alon expressed his willingness to relax regulations to meet the demands of ultra-Orthodox
rabbis. Regulations regarding gender equality had already been relaxed so that Haredim could
be assured that men would not receive physical exams from female medical staff. === LGBT people === Israel is one of 24 nations that allow openly
gay individuals to serve in the military. Since the early 1990s, sexual identity presents
no formal barrier in terms of soldiers' military specialization or eligibility for promotion.Until
the 1980s the IDF tended to discharge soldiers who were openly gay. In 1983 the IDF permitted
homosexuals to serve, but banned them from intelligence and top-secret positions. A decade
later, Professor Uzi Even, an IDF reserves officer and chairman of Tel Aviv University's
Chemistry Department, revealed that his rank had been revoked and that he had been barred
from researching sensitive topics in military intelligence, solely because of his sexual
orientation.
His testimony to the Knesset in 1993 raised a political storm, forcing
the IDF to remove such restrictions against gays.The chief of staff's policy states that
it is strictly forbidden to harm or hurt anyone's dignity or feeling based on their gender or
sexual orientation in any way, including signs, slogans, pictures, poems, lectures, any means
of guidance, propaganda, publishing, voicing, and utterance. Moreover, gays in the IDF have
additional rights, such as the right to take a shower alone if they want to. According
to a University of California, Santa Barbara study, a brigadier general stated that Israelis
show a "great tolerance" for gay soldiers. Consul David Saranga at the Israeli Consulate
in New York, who was interviewed by the St. Petersburg Times, said, "It's a non-issue.
You can be a very good officer, a creative one, a brave one, and be gay at the same time."A
study published by the Israel Gay Youth (IGY) Movement in January 2012 found that half of
the homosexual soldiers who serve in the IDF suffer from violence and homophobia, although
the head of the group said that "I am happy to say that the intention among the top brass
is to change that." ===
Deaf and hard-of-hearing people === Israel is the only country in the world that
requires deaf and hard-of-hearing people to serve in the military.
Sign language interpreters
are provided during training, and many of them serve in non-combat capacities such as
mapping and office work. The major language spoken by Deaf in Israel is Shassi–a Germanosign
language related to German Sign Language (DGS) and not Hebrew or any oral language–, though
Israel and Palestine are home to numerous sign languages spoken by various populations
like Bedouins' ABSL. === Vegans ===
According to a Care2 report, vegans in the IDF may refuse vaccination if they oppose
animal testing. They are given artificial leather boots and a black fleece beret. Until
2014, vegan soldiers in the IDF received special allowances to buy their own food, when this
policy was replaced with vegan food being provided in all bases, as well as vegan combat
rations being offered to vegan combat soldiers.
=== Volunteers ===
In cases when a citizen cannot be normally drafted by the law (old age, served as a soldier
in a different country, severe health problems, handicaps, autism, etc.), the person could
enroll as a volunteer in places where his knowledge can be used or in cases where there
is a base that accepts volunteer service from one day per week up to full-time service based
upon a volunteer's abilities and wishes. == Overseas volunteers ==
Non-immigrating foreign volunteers typically serve with the IDF in one of five ways: The Mahal program targets young non-Israeli
Jews or Israeli citizens who grew up abroad (men younger than 24 and women younger than
21). The program consists typically of 18 months of IDF service, including a lengthy
training for those in combat units or (for 18 months) one month of non-combat training
and additional two months of learning Hebrew after enlisting, if necessary. There are two
additional subcategories of Mahal, both geared solely for religious men: Mahal Nahal Haredi
(18 months), and Mahal Hesder, which combines yeshiva study of 5 months with IDF service
of 16 months, for a total of 21 months.
Similar IDF programs exist for Israeli overseas residents.
To be accepted as a Mahal Volunteer, one must be of Jewish descent (at least one Jewish
grandparent). Sar-El, an organization subordinate to the
Israeli Logistics Corps, provides a volunteer program for non-Israeli citizens who are 17
years or older (or 15 if accompanied by a parent). The program is also aimed at Israeli
citizens, aged 30 years or older, living abroad who did not serve in the Israeli Army and
who now wish to finalize their status with the military. The program usually consists
of three weeks of volunteer service on different rear army bases, doing non-combative work.
Garin Tzabar offers a program mainly for Israelis who emigrated with their parents to the United
States at a young age.
Although a basic knowledge of the Hebrew language is not mandatory, it
is helpful. Of all the programs listed, only Garin Tzabar requires full-length service
in the IDF. The program is set up in stages: first the participants go through five seminars
in their country of origin, then have an absorption period in Israel at a kibbutz. Each delegation
is adopted by a kibbutz in Israel and has living quarters designated for it. The delegation
shares responsibilities in the kibbutz when on military leave. Participants start the
program three months before being enlisted in the army at the beginning of August.
Marva is short-term basic training for two months.
Lev LaChayal is a program based at Yeshivat Lev Hatorah which takes a holistic approach
to preparation for service. Being as ready as possible for integrating into Israeli culture,
handling the physical challenges of the military, and maintaining religious values require a
multi-pronged approach.
The beit midrash learning, classes, physical training, and even the recreational
activities are designed to allow for maximum readiness. == Mission == The IDF's mission is to "defend the existence,
territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state of Israel. To protect the inhabitants
of Israel and to combat all forms of terrorism which threaten the daily life." The Israeli
military's primary principles derive from Israel's need to combat numerically superior
opponents. One such principle, is the concept that Israel can't afford to lose a single
war.
The IDF believes that this is possible if it can rapidly mobilize troops to insure
that they engage the enemy in enemy territory. In the 21st Century, various nonconventional
threats including terrorist organizations, subterranean infrastructure operated by Hamas,
etc have forced the IDF to modify its official defense doctrine. == Doctrine == ===
Main doctrine === The main doctrine consists of the following
principles: ==== Basic points ====
Israel cannot afford to lose a single war Defensive on the strategic level, no territorial
ambitions Desire to avoid war by political means and
a credible deterrent posture Preventing escalation
Determine the outcome of war quickly and decisively Combating terrorism
Very low casualty ratio ====
Prepare for defense ==== A small standing army with an early warning
capability, regular air force and navy An efficient reserve mobilization and transportation
system ==== Move to counterattack ====
Multi-arm coordination Transferring the battle to enemy territory
quickly Quick attainment of war objectives ===
Code of conduct === In 1992, the IDF drafted a Code of Conduct
that combines international law, Israeli law, Jewish heritage and the IDF's own traditional
ethical code—the IDF Spirit (Hebrew: רוח צה"ל, Ru'ah Tzahal).
==== Stated values of the IDF ==== The document defines three core values for
all IDF soldiers to follow, as well as ten secondary values (the first being most important,
and the others appearing sorted in Hebrew alphabetical order):
Core values Defense of the State, its Citizens and its
Residents Love of the Homeland and Loyalty to the Country
Human DignityOther values Tenacity of Purpose in Performing Missions
and Drive to Victory Responsibility
Credibility Personal Example
Human Life Purity of Arms
Professionalism Discipline
Comradeship Sense of Mission ==== Military ethics of fighting terror ==== In 2005, Asa Kasher and Amos Yadlin co-authored
a noticed article published in the Journal of Military Ethics under the title: "Military
Ethics of Fighting Terror: An Israeli Perspective".
The article was meant as an "extension of
the classical Just War Theory", and as a "[needed] third model" or missing paradigm besides which
of "classical war (army) and law enforcement (police).", resulting in a "doctrine (…) on
the background of the IDF fight against acts and activities of terror performed by Palestinian
individuals and organizations."In this article, Kasher and Yadlin came to the conclusion that
targeted killings of terrorists were justifiable, even at the cost of hitting nearby civilians.
In a 2009 interview to Haaretz, Asa Kasher later confirmed, pointing to the fact that
in an area in which the IDF does not have effective security control (e.g., Gaza, vs.
East-Jerusalem), soldiers' lives protection takes priority over avoiding injury to enemy
civilians. Some, along with Avishai Margalit and Michael Walzer, have recused this argument,
advancing that such position was "contrary to centuries of theorizing about the morality
of war as well as international humanitarian law", since drawing "a sharp line between
combatants and noncombatants" would be "the only morally relevant distinction that all
those involved in a war can agree on."The article was intended to (then Chief of Staff)
Moshe Ya'alon, to serve as a basis for a new "code of conduct".
Although Moshe Ya'alon
did endorse the article's views, and is reported to have presented it numerous times before
military forums, it was never actually turned into a binding IDF document or an actual "code",
neither by Ya'alon nor its successors. However, the document have since reportedly been adapted
to serve as educational material, designed to emphasizes the right behavior in low intensity
warfare against terrorists, where soldiers must operate within a civilian population.As
of today "The Spirit of the IDF" (cf. supra) is still considered the only binding moral
code that formally applies to the IDF troops. In 2009, Amos Yadlin (then head of Military
Intelligence) suggested that the article he co-authored with Asa Kasher be ratified as
a formal binding code, arguing that "the current code ['The Spirit of the IDF'] does not sufficiently
address one of the army's most pressing challenges: asymmetric warfare against terrorist organizations
that operate amid a civilian population".
== Command and control ==
According to the Israeli Basic Law: The IDF adopted in 1976, the IDF is subject to the
authority of the Government. The Minister in charge of the IDF on behalf of the Government
is the Minister of Defense. The supreme command level in the military, the Chief of the General
Staff, the military's Commander in Chief, is appointed by and subject to the authority
of the civilian Government and is subordinate to the Minister of Defense (not the Ministry
of Defense itself).However, in the years after the establishment of Israel, the Military
establishment enjoyed a degree of independence given to it by Ben-Gurion. This was evident
in the attendance of the Chief of General Staff in Cabinet and security Cabinet meetings
as an equal and not as a subordinate. Even after the Agranat Commission inquiry following
the 1973 Yom Kippur War, when the roles, the powers, and the duties of the Prime Minister,
Defense Minister and Chief of General Staff were clarified and the rules and standards
of monitoring where established between the military and the political spheres, the military
still continued to enjoy disproportionate status at the expense of the civilian authorities.
== Budget ==
During 1950–66, Israel spent an average of 9% of its GDP on defense. Defense expenditures
increased dramatically after both the 1967 and 1973 wars. They reached a high of about
30% of GDP in 1975, but have since come down significantly, following the signing of peace
agreements with Jordan and Egypt.On 30 September 2009 Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Finance
Minister Yuval Steinitz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu endorsed an additional
NIS 1.5 billion for the defense budget to help Israel address problems regarding Iran.
The budget changes came two months after Israel had approved its current two-year budget.
The defense budget in 2009 stood at NIS 48.6 billion and NIS 53.2 billion for 2010 – the
highest amount in Israel's history. The figure constituted 6.3% of expected gross domestic
product and 15.1% of the overall budget, even before the planned NIS 1.5 billion addition.However,
in 2011, the prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu reversed course and moved to make significant
cuts in the defense budget in order to pay for social programs. The General Staff concluded
that the proposed cuts endangered the battle readiness of the armed forces. In 2012, Israel
spent $15.2 billion on its armed forces, one of the highest ratios of defense spending
to GDP among developed countries ($1,900 per person).
However, Israel's spending per capita
is below that of the USA. == Field rations ==
Field rations, called manot krav, usually consist of canned tuna, sardines, beans, stuffed
vine leaves, maize and fruit cocktail and bars of halva. Packets of fruit flavored drink
powder are also provided along with condiments like ketchup, mustard, chocolate spread and
jam. Around 2010, the IDF announced that certain freeze dried MREs served in water activated
disposable heaters like goulash, turkey schwarma and meatballs would be introduced as field
rations.One staple of these rations was loof, a type of Kosher spam made from chicken or
beef that was phased out around 2008. Food historian Gil Marks has written that: "Many
Israeli soldiers insist that Loof uses all the parts of the cow that the hot dog manufacturers
will not accept, but no one outside of the manufacturer and the kosher supervisors actually
know what is inside." ==
Weapons and equipment == ===
Military equipment === The IDF possesses various foreign and domestically
produced weapons and computer systems. Some gear comes from the US (with some equipment
modified for IDF use) such as the M4A1 and M16 assault rifles, the M24 SWS 7.62 mm bolt
action sniper rifle, the SR-25 7.62 mm semi-automatic sniper rifle, the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting
Falcon fighter jets, and the AH-1 Cobra and AH-64D Apache attack helicopters.
Israel has
also developed its own independent weapons industry, which has developed weapons and
vehicles such as the Merkava battle tank series, Nesher and Kfir fighter aircraft, and various
small arms such as the Galil and Tavor assault rifles, and the Uzi submachine gun. Israel
has also installed a variant of the Samson RCWS, a remote controlled weapons platform,
which can include machine guns, grenade launchers, and anti-tank missiles on a remotely operated
turret, in pillboxes along the Israeli Gaza Strip barrier intended to prevent Palestinian
militants from entering its territory. Israel has developed observation balloons equipped
with sophisticated cameras and surveillance systems used to thwart terror attacks from
Gaza. The IDF also possesses advanced combat engineering equipment which include the IDF
Caterpillar D9 armored bulldozer, IDF Puma CEV, Tzefa Shiryon and CARPET minefield breaching
rockets, and a variety of robots and explosive devices.
The IDF also has several large internal research and development departments, and it purchases
many technologies produced by the Israeli security industries including IAI, IMI, Elbit
Systems, Rafael, and dozens of smaller firms. Many of these developments have been battle-tested
in Israel's numerous military engagements, making the relationship mutually beneficial,
the IDF getting tailor-made solutions and the industries a good reputation.In response
to the price overruns on the US Littoral Combat Ship program, Israel is considering producing
their own warships, which would take a decade and depend on diverting US financing to the
project.
=== Main developments ===
Israel's military technology is most famous for its firearms, armored fighting vehicles
(tanks, tank-converted armored personnel carriers (APCs), armoured bulldozers, etc.), unmanned
aerial vehicles, and rocketry (missiles and rockets). Israel also has manufactured aircraft
including the Kfir (reserve), IAI Lavi (canceled), and the IAI Phalcon Airborne early warning
System, and naval systems (patrol and missile ships). Much of the IDF's electronic systems
(intelligence, communication, command and control, navigation etc.) are Israeli-developed,
including many systems installed on foreign platforms (esp. aircraft, tanks and submarines),
as are many of its precision-guided munitions. Israel is the world's largest exporter of
drones.Israel Military Industries (IMI) is known for its firearms. The IMI Galil, the
Uzi, the IMI Negev light machine gun and the new Tavor TAR-21 Bullpup assault rifle are
used by the IDF. The Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Spike missile is one of the most widely
exported ATGMs in the world.Israel is the only country in the world with an operational
anti-ballistic missile defense system on the national level – the Arrow system, jointly
funded and produced by Israel and the United States. The Iron Dome system against short-range
rockets is operational and proved to be successful, intercepting hundreds of Qassam, 122 mm Grad
and Fajr-5 artillery rockets fire by Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip.
David's Sling,
an anti-missile system designed to counter medium range rockets, became operational in
2017. Israel has also worked with the US on development of a tactical high energy laser
system against medium range rockets (called Nautilus or THEL).
Israel has the independent capability of launching reconnaissance satellites into orbit, a capability
shared with Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, South Korea, Italy,
Germany, the People's Republic of China, India, Japan, Brazil and Ukraine. Israeli security
industries developed both the satellites (Ofeq) and the launchers (Shavit).Israel is known
to have developed nuclear weapons. Israel does not officially acknowledge its nuclear
weapons program.
It is thought Israel possesses between one hundred and four hundred nuclear
warheads. It is believed that Jericho intercontinental ballistic missiles are capable of delivering
nuclear warheads with a superior degree of accuracy and a range of 11,500 km. Israeli
F-15I and F-16 fighter-bomber aircraft also have been cited as possible nuclear delivery
systems (these aircraft types are nuclear capable in the US Air Force). The U.S. Air
Force F-15E has tactical nuclear weapon (B61 and B83 bombs) capability. It has been asserted
that Dolphin-class submarines have been adapted to carry Popeye Turbo Submarine-launched cruise
missiles with nuclear warheads, so as to give Israel a second strike capacity.From 2006
Israel deployed the Wolf Armoured Vehicle APC for use in urban warfare and to protect
VIPs. == Commemoration == ===
Commemoration === Yom Hazikaron, Israel's day of remembrance
for fallen soldiers, is observed on the 4th day of the month of Iyar of the Hebrew calendar,
the day before the celebration of Independence Day.
Memorial services are held in the presence
of Israel's top military personnel. A two-minute siren is heard at 11:00, which marks the opening
of the official military memorial ceremonies and private remembrance gatherings at each
cemetery where soldiers are buried. Many Israelis visit the graves of family members and friends
who were killed in action. On the evening before the remembrance day all shops, restaurants
and entertainment places must close gates to the public no later than 7 P.M. (the same
routine and law applies to the day of remembrance of the Holocaust which takes place a week
earlier). The main museum for Israel's armored corps
is the Yad La-Shiryon in Latrun, which houses one of the largest tank museums in the world.
Other significant military museums are the Israel Defense Forces History Museum (Batei
Ha-Osef) in Tel Aviv, the Palmach Museum, and the Beit HaTotchan of artillery in Zikhron
Ya'akov. The Israeli Air Force Museum is located at Hatzerim Airbase in the Negev Desert, and
the Israeli Clandestine Immigration and Naval Museum, is in Haifa.
Israel's National Military Cemetery is at Mount Herzl. Other Israeli military cemeteries
include Kiryat Shaul Military Cemetery in Tel Aviv, and Sgula military cemetery at Petah
Tikva.
=== Parades === Israel Defense Forces parades took place on
Independence Day, during the first 25 years of the State of Israel's existence. They were
cancelled after 1973 due to financial and security concerns. The Israel Defense Forces
still has weapon exhibitions country-wide on Independence Day, but they are stationary. == Foreign military relations == ===
France === Starting on Independence Day on 14 May 1948
(5 Iyar 5708), a strong military, commercial and political relationship were established
between France and Israel until 1969. The highest level of the military collaboration
was reached between 1956 and 1966.
At this time France provided almost all the aircraft,
tanks and military ships. In 1969 the French president Charles de Gaulle limited the export
of weapons to Israel. This was the end of the "golden age" 20 years of relations between
Israel and France. === United States === In 1983, the United States and Israel established
a Joint Political Military Group, which convenes twice a year. Both the U.S. and Israel participate
in joint military planning and combined exercises, and have collaborated on military research
and weapons development. Additionally the U.S. military maintains two classified, pre-positioned
War Reserve Stocks in Israel valued at $493 million. Israel has the official distinction
of being an American Major non-NATO ally. As a result of this, the US and Israel share
the vast majority of their security and military technology.
Since 1976, Israel had been the largest annual recipient of U.S.
Foreign assistance. In 2009,
Israel received $2.55 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) grants from the Department
of Defense. All but 26% of this military aid is for the purchase of military hardware from
American companies only.In October 2012, United States and Israel began their biggest joint
air and missile defense exercise, known as Austere Challenge 12, involving around 3,500
U.S. troops in the region along with 1,000 IDF personnel. Germany and Britain also participated.Since
mid 2017, the United States operates an anti-missile system in the Negev region of Southern Israel,
which is manned by 120 US Army personnel. It is a facility used by the U.S. inside a
larger Mashabim Israeli Air Force base. === India === India and Israel enjoy strong military and
strategic ties. Israeli authorities consider Indian citizens to be the most pro-Israel
people in the world.
Apart from being Israel's second-largest economic partner in Asia, India
is also the largest customer of Israeli arms in the world. In 2006, annual military sales
between India and Israel stood at US$900 million. Israeli defense firms had the largest exhibition
at the 2009 Aero India show, during which Israel offered several state-of-the art weapons
to India. The first major military deal between the two countries was the sale of Israeli
Phalcon airborne warning and control system (AWACS) radars to the Indian Air Force in
2004. In March 2009, India and Israel signed a US$1.4 billion deal under which Israel would
sell India an advanced air-defense system. India and Israel have also embarked on extensive
space cooperation. In 2008, India's ISRO launched Israel's most technologically advanced spy
satellite TecSAR. In 2009, India reportedly developed a high-tech spy satellite RISAT-2
with significant assistance from Israel. The satellite was successfully launched by India
in April 2009.According to a Los Angeles Times news story the 2008 Mumbai attacks were an
attack on the growing India-Israel partnership.
It quotes retired Indian Vice Admiral Premvir
S. Das thus "Their aim was to… tell the Indians clearly that your growing linkage
with Israel is not what you should be doing…" In the past, India and Israel have held numerous
joint anti-terror training exercises ===
Germany === Germany developed the Dolphin submarine and
supplied it to Israel. Two submarines were donated by Germany. The military co-operation
has been discreet but mutually profitable: Israeli intelligence, for example, sent captured
Warsaw Pact armour to West Germany to be analysed. The results aided the German development of
an anti-tank system.
Israel also trained members of GSG 9, a German counter-terrorism and special
operations unit. The Israeli Merkava MK IV tank uses a German V12 engine produced under
license.In 2008, the website DefenseNews revealed that Germany and Israel had been jointly developing
a nuclear warning system, dubbed Operation Bluebird. === United Kingdom === During a secret operation in 1966, two British
made "Chieftain" MBTs were brought to Israel for a 4 years long evaluation for service
with the IDF. The plan was for the IDF not only to purchase the British MBTs, but for
IMI (Israeli Military Industries) to buy production rights. As part of the deal during the early
60's Israel purchased second hand "Centurion" MBTs from the British, that used that money
in the "Chieftain" development. After the trials were done Israeli improvement and ideas
were implemented by the British manufacturer, but British politicians cancelled the agreement
with Israel and the program was shut down. The knowledge earned during the improvements
on the "Chieftain", together with earlier experiments in tank improvements, gave the
last push for the development and production of the "Merkava" tank.
United Kingdom has supplied equipment and spare parts for Sa'ar 4.5-class missile boats
and F-4 Phantom fighter-bombers, components for small-caliber artillery ammunition and
air-to-surface missiles, and engines for Elbit Hermes 450 Unmanned aerial vehicles.
British
arms sales to Israel mainly consist of light weaponry, and ammunition and components for
helicopters, tanks, armored personnel carriers, and combat aircraft. === Russia === On 19 October 1999, Defense Minister of China,
General Chi Haotian, after meeting with Syrian Defense Minister Mustafa Tlass in Damascus,
Syria, to discuss expanding military ties between Syria and China, then flew directly
to Israel and met with Ehud Barak, the then Prime Minister and Defense Minister of Israel
where they discussed military relations. Among the military arrangements was a $1 billion
Israeli Russian sale of military aircraft to China, which were to be jointly produced
by Russia and Israel.Russia has bought drones from Israel. === China === Israel is the second-largest foreign supplier
of arms to the People's Republic of China, only after the Russian Federation. China has
purchased a wide array of military hardware from Israel, including Unmanned aerial vehicles
and communications satellites. China has become an extensive market for Israel's military
industries and arms manufacturers, and trade with Israel has allowed it to obtain "dual-use"
technology which the United States and European Union were reluctant to provide. In 2010 Yair
Golan, head of IDF Home Front Command visited China to strengthen military ties.
In 2012,
IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz visited China for high-level talks with the Chinese defense
establishment. === Cyprus === As closely neighboring countries, Israel and
Cyprus have enjoyed greatly improving diplomatic relations since 2010. During the Mount Carmel
Forest Fire, Cyprus dispatched two aviation assets to assist fire-fighting operations
in Israel – the first time Cypriot Government aircraft were permitted to operate from Israeli
airfields in a non-civil capacity. In addition, Israel and Cyprus have closely cooperated
in maritime activities relating to Gaza, since 2010, and have reportedly begun an extensive
sharing program of regional intelligence to support mutual security concerns.
On 17 May
2012, it was widely reported that the Israeli Air Force had been granted unrestricted access
to the Nicosia Flight Information Region of Cyprus, and that Israeli aviation assets may
have operated over the island itself. Cyprus, as a former S-300 air-defense system operator,
was speculated by Greek media to have assisted Israel in strategic planning to challenge
such air-defense systems, alongside shorter-range SAM systems, although this remains unconfirmed. === Greece === Israel and Greece have enjoyed a very cordial
military relationship since 2008, including military drills ranging from Israel to the
island of Crete. Drills include air-to-air long-distance refueling, long-range flights,
and most importantly aiding Israel in outmaneuvering the S-300 which Greece has. Recent purchases
include 100 million euro deal between Greece and Israel for the purchase of SPICE 1000
and SPICE 2000 pound bomb kits. They have also signed many defense agreements, including
Cyprus, in order to establish stability for transporting gas from Israel-Cyprus to Greece
and on to the European Union-a paramount objective to the future stability and prosperity of
all three countries, threatened by Turkey. === Turkey === Israel has provided extensive military assistance
to Turkey. Israel sold Turkey IAI Heron Unmanned aerial vehicles, and modernized Turkey's F-4
Phantom and Northrop F-5 aircraft at the cost of $900 million.
Turkey's main battle tank
is the Israeli-made Sabra tank, of which Turkey has 170. Israel later upgraded them for $500
million. Israel has also supplied Turkey with Israeli-made missiles, and the two nations
have engaged in naval cooperation. Turkey allowed Israeli pilots to practice long-range
flying over mountainous terrain in Turkey's Konya firing range, while Israel trains Turkish
pilots at Israel's computerized firing range at Nevatim Airbase. Until 2009, the Turkish
military was one of Israel's largest defense customers. Israel defense companies have sold
unmanned aerial vehicles and long-range targeting pods.However, relations have been strained
in recent times. In the last two years, the Turkish military has declined to participate
in the annual joint naval exercise with Israel and the United States.
The exercise, known
as "Reliant Mermaid" was started in 1998 and included the Israeli, Turkish and American
navies. The objective of the exercise is to practice search-and-rescue operations and
to familiarize each navy with international partners who also operate in the Mediterranean
Sea. === Azerbaijan === Azerbaijan and Israel have engaged in intense
cooperation since 1992. Israeli military have been a major provider of battlefield aviation,
artillery, antitank, and anti-infantry weaponry to Azerbaijan. In 2009, Israeli President
Shimon Peres made a visit to Azerbaijan where military relations were expanded further,
with the Israeli company Aeronautics Defense Systems Ltd announcing it was going to build
a factory in Baku. In 2012, Israel and Azerbaijan signed an agreement according to which state-run
Israel Aerospace Industries would sell $1.6 billion in drones and anti-aircraft and missile
defense systems to Azerbaijan. In March 2012, the magazine Foreign Policy reported that
the Israeli Air Force may be preparing to use the Sitalchay Military Airbase, located
500 km (310 mi) from the Iranian border, for air strikes against the nuclear program of
Iran, later backed up by other media.
=== Other countries ===
Israel has also sold to or received supplies of military equipment from the Czech Republic,
Argentina, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia, Italy, South Africa, Canada, Australia, Poland, Slovenia,
Romania, Hungary, Belgium, Austria, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia,
Vietnam and Colombia, among others. == Future == The IDF is planning a number of technological
upgrades and structural reforms for the future for its land, air, and sea branches. Training
has been increased, including in cooperation between ground, air, and naval units.The Israeli
Army is phasing out the M-16 rifle from all ground units in favor of the IMI Tavor variants,
most recently the IWI Tavor X95 flat-top ("Micro-Tavor Dor Gimel").
In addition, the IDF is now replacing
its outdated M113 armored personnel carriers in favor of new Namer APCs, with 200 ordered
in 2014, the Eitan AFV, and is upgrading its IDF Achzarit APCs. The IDF also announced
plans to streamline its military bureaucracy so as to better maintain its reserve force,
which a 2014 State Comptroller report noted was under-trained and may not be able to fulfill
wartime missions. As part of the plans, 100,000 reservists and will be discharged, and training
for the remainder will be improved. The officer corps will be slashed by 5,000. In addition,
infantry and light artillery brigades will be reduced to increase training standards
among the rest. The backbone of the IDF Artillery Corps, the M109 howitzer, will be phased out
in favor of a still-undecided replacement, with the ATMOS 2000 and Artillery Gun Module
under primary consideration. The IDF is also planning a future tank to replace the Merkava.
The new tank will be able to fire lasers and electromagnetic pulses, run on a hybrid engine,
run with a crew as small as two, will be faster, and will be better-protected, with emphasis
on protection systems such as the Trophy over armor.
The Combat Engineering Corps assimilated
new technologies, mainly in tunnel detection and unmanned ground vehicles and military
robots, such as remote-controlled IDF Caterpillar D9T "Panda" armored bulldozers, Sahar engineering
scout robot and improved Remotec ANDROS robots. The Israeli Air Force will purchase as many
as 100 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets from the United States. The aircraft will be modified
and designated F-35I. They will use Israeli-built electronic warfare systems, outer-wings, guided
bombs, and air-to-air missiles. As part of a 2013 arms deal, the IAF will purchase KC-135
Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft and V-22 Osprey multi-mission aircraft from the
United States, as well as advanced radars for warplanes and missiles designed to take
out radars. In April 2013, an Israeli official stated that within 40–50 years, piloted
aircraft would be phased out of service by unmanned aerial vehicles capable of executing
nearly any operation that can be performed by piloted combat aircraft. Israel's military
industries are reportedly on the path to developing such technology in a few decades.
Israel will
also manufacture tactical satellites for military use.The Israeli Navy is currently expanding
its submarine fleet, with a planned total of six Dolphin class submarines. Currently,
five have been delivered, with the sixth expected in 2017. It is also upgrading and expanding
its surface fleet. It is planning to upgrade the electronic warfare systems of its Sa'ar
5-class corvettes and Sa'ar 4.5 class missile boats, and has ordered two new classes of
warship: the Sa'ar 6-class corvette (a variant of the Braunschweig-class corvette) and the
Sa'ar 72-class corvette (an improved and enlarged version of the Sa'ar 4.5-class). It plans
to acquire four Saar 6-class corvettes and three Sa'ar 72-class corvettes. Israel is
also developing marine artillery, including a gun capable of firing satellite-guided 155mm
rounds between 75 and 120 kilometers. == See also == ===
Related bodies === ==
References and footnotes == == Further reading ==
Marcus, Raphael D. Israel's Long War with Hezbollah: Military Innovation and Adaptation
under Fire (Georgetown UP, 2018) online review Rosenthal, Donna (2003). The Israelis. Free
Press.
ISBN 978-0-7432-7035-9. Ostfeld, Zehava (1994). Shiftel, Shoshana
(ed.). An Army is Born (in Hebrew). Israel Ministry of Defense. ISBN 978-965-05-0695-7.
Gelber, Yoav (1986). Nucleus for a Standing Army (in Hebrew). Yad Ben Tzvi.
Yehuda Shif, ed. (1982). IDF in Its Corps: Army and Security Encyclopedia (18 volumes)
(in Hebrew). Revivim Publishing. Ron Tira, ed. (2009). The Nature of War: Conflicting
Paradigms and Israeli Military Effectiveness. Sussex Academic Press. ISBN 978-1-84519-378-2.
Roislien, Hanne Eggen (2013). "Religion and Military Conscription: The Case of the Israeli
Defense Forces (IDF)," Armed Forces & Society 39, No. 3, pp. 213–232.
Country Briefing: Israel, Jane's Defence Weekly, 19 June 1996 == External links == Official website
Israel Defense Forces ranks and insignia IDF Blog – news and updates from the field
IDF Code of Conduct Moshe Yaalon, The IDF and the Israeli Spirit
The IDF Spirit – the ethical code of the IDF
Palestinian violence and terror attacks since September 2000
A list of civilians and soldiers who died during Palestinian terror attacks since September
2000 CNN.com Special – Victims of Terror
isayeret.com – The Israeli Special Forces Database
Israeli Weapons Original Letters and Manuscripts: Ben-Gurion
on the IDF Shapell Manuscript Foundation Jerusalem volunteer Border Guard
Tsahal-Miniature Israeli Armed Forces at Flags of the World
IDF photos GlobalSecurity.org entry
Israel's War History Israel Military Forum
UNwatch, Goldstone Gaza Report: Col.
Richard Kemp Testifies at U.N. Emergency Session on
YouTube.
