Israel
- Israeli Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
(Hebrew: צבא ההגנה לישראל Tsva Ha-Haganah Le-Yisrael ("[Army] Force
[for] the Defense of Israel"), often abbreviated צה"ל Tsahal,
alternative English spelling Tzahal, is the name of Israel's armed
forces, comprising the Israel army, Israel air force and Israel navy. It
was formed following the founding of Israel in 1948 to "defend the
existence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state of Israel"
and "to protect the inhabitants of Israel and to combat all forms of
terrorism which threaten the daily life." The predecessors to the IDF
were the Haganah (in particular, its operational branch, the Palmach)
and former elements of the Jewish Brigade that fought under the British
flag during World War II. See also Jewish legion.
After the establishment of the IDF, the two Jewish underground
organizations the Etzel and Lehi joined with the IDF in a loose
confederation, but were allowed to operate independently in some sectors
until the end of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war; after which these two
organizations were eventually disbanded.
History
Overview
Service and manpower
National military service is compulsory for Jewish men and women over
the age of 18, although exemptions may be made on religious, physical,
or psychological grounds (see Profile 21). The fact that an increasing
number of men in the Haredi community are exempt, has been a source of
tension in Israeli society.
Men serve three years in the IDF, as do the women in combat positions,
while women in non-combat positions serve two. The IDF requires women
who volunteer for combat positions to serve for three years because
combat soldiers must undergo a lengthy period of training, and it is in
the interests of the IDF to get as much use of that training as
possible.
Following regular service, men may be called for reserve service of up
to one month annually, until the age of 43-45, and may be called for
active duty immediately in times of crisis. 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. A well-known Israeli joke
refers to civilians as soldiers on 11-month furloughs. Recently,
legislation has been proposed that would limit reserve duty, but this
has not yet been approved. Most Israeli men, however, do not serve in
reserve service, for various reasons.
Minorities in the IDF
Druze Arabs and Circassians, like Israeli Jews, serve mandatory service
in the IDF. In recent years, some Druze officers have reached positions
in the IDF as high as Major General and many have received orders of
distinctions.
Service is not mandatory for all other Israeli minorities (notably
Israeli Arabs but also Black Hebrews and others). However, a large
number of Beduin, as well as some Christian Arabs and even a few Muslim
Arabs, volunteer. Six Israeli Arabs have received orders of distinction
as a part of their military service; of them the most famous is a
Bedouin officer, Lieutenant Colonel Abd El-Amin Hajer (also known as
Amos Yarkoni), who received the Order of Distinction. Recently, a
Bedouin officer was promoted to the rank of Colonel.
No direct social benefits are tied to completion of military service,
but doing it is sometimes required for attaining security clearance and
serving in some types of government positions (in most cases,
security-related), as well as some indirect benefits. Israeli Arabs
claim that this puts them at a disadvantage vs. non-Arab Israeli
citizens. According to the 2004 U.S. State Department Country Reports on
Human Rights Practices for Israel and the occupied territories, "Israeli
Arabs were not required to perform mandatory military service and, in
practice, only a small percentage of Israeli Arabs served in the
military. Those who did not serve in the army had less access than other
citizens to social and economic benefits for which military service was
a prerequisite or an advantage, such as housing, new-household
subsidies, and employment, especially government or security-related
industrial employment. Regarding the latter, for security reasons,
Israeli Arabs generally were restricted from working in companies with
defense contracts or in security-related fields." In recent years, there
have been several initiatives to enable Israeli Arabs to volunteer for
civilian service instead of to the IDF, completion of which would grant
the same privileges as those granted to IDF veterans. However, none of
these initiatives has come to fruition yet.
Women in the IDF
Israel is the only country which currently has female conscription, but
about a third of female conscripts (more than double the figure for men)
are excempted, mainly for religious reasons.
Following their active service, women, like men, are in theory required
to serve up to one month annually in reserve duty. However, in practice
only some women in combat roles get called for active reserve duty, and
only for a few years following their active service, with many exit
points (e.g., pregnancy).
Women were historically barred from battle in the IDF, serving in a
variety of technical and administrative support roles, except during the
1948 war of independence, when manpower shortages saw many of them
taking active part in battles on the ground. But after a landmark 1994
High Court appeal by Alice Miller, a Jewish immigrant from South Africa,
the Air Force was instructed to open its pilots course to women (several
served as transport pilots during the war of independence in 1948 and
"Operation Kadesh" in 1956, but the Air force later closed its ranks to
women fliers). Miller failed the entrance exams, but since her
initiative, many additional combat roles were opened. As of 2005, Women
are allowed to serve in 83% of all positions in the military, including
Shipboard Navy Service (except submarines), and Artillery. Combat roles
are voluntary for women.
As of 2002, 33% of lower rank Officers are women, 21% of Captains and
Majors, but only 3% of the most senior ranks.
450 Women currently serve in combat units of Israel's security forces,
primarily in the Border Police. The first female fighter pilot
successfully received her wings in 2001. In a controversial move, the
IDF abolished its "Womens Corps" command in 2004, with a view that it
has become an anachronism and a stumbling block towards integration of
women in the army as regular soliders with no special status. However,
after pressures from Feminist lobbies, The Chief of Staff was persuaded
to keep an "advisor for Women's affairs".
Expenditures and alliances
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. In 1996, the military budget reached 10.6% of GDP and represented
about 21.5% of the total 1996 budget.
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. Israel has
the official distinction of being a US Major Non-NATO Ally. As a result
of this, America shares the vast majority of its security and military
technology with Israel.
Military structure
The following is a very partial list that does not refer to any reserve
forces.
High command (General Staff)
The IDF falls under the command of a single general staff. The Chief of
the General Staff (Hebrew acronym: רמטכ"ל, pronounced: Ramatkal) has the
rank of (Lieutenant) General (in Hebrew: רב אלוף, pronounced: "Rav Aluf")
and is the high commander of the IDF. He reports directly to the Defense
minister and indirectly to the Prime Minister of Israel and its
government. Chiefs of Staff are formally appointed by the government,
based on the Defense Minister's recommendation, for three years, but the
government can vote to extend their service to four (and in rare
occasions even five) years.
The current chief of staff is (Lieutenant) General (Rav-Aluf) Dan Halutz,
who replaced Moshe Ya'alon, on June 1st, 2005.
(Also see a note about ranks below)
* Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz Chief of the General Staff
o Maj. Gen. Moshe Kaplinsky Deputy Chief of the General Staff
o Maj. Gen. Yiftah Ron-Tal GOC Army Headquarters
o Maj. Gen. Udi Adam Head of Technological and Logistics Directorate
o Maj. Gen. Aharon Ze'evi-Farkash Director of Military Intelligence
o Maj. Gen. Elazar Stern Head of Personnel Directorate
o Maj. Gen. Yisrael Ziv Head of Operations Directorate
o Maj. Gen. Itzhak Harel Head of Plans and Policy Directorate
o Maj. Gen. Elyezer Shkedy Commander of the Israeli Air Force
o Maj. Gen. David Ben Ba'ashat Commander of the Israeli Navy
o Maj. Gen. Yair Naveh GOC Central Command
o Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz GOC Northern Command
o Maj. Gen. Dan Harel GOC Southern Command
o Maj. Gen. Yitzhak Garshon GOC Home Front Command
o Maj. Gen. Eyal Ben Reuven Commander of the Military Colleges and
Senior Field Commander
o Maj. Gen. Yosef Mishlav Coordinator of Government Activities in the
Territories
o Maj. Gen. Yishai Bar President of the Military Court of Appeals
o Maj. Gen. Udi Shani Head of C4I and Senior Field Commander
o Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amos Yaron Director General of the Ministry of
Defense
o Maj. Gen. Yoav Gallant Military Secretary of the Prime Minister
o Brig. Gen. Miri Regev IDF Spokesperson
o Brig. Gen. Moshe Lipel Financial Advisor to the Chief of Staff
o Maj. Gen. (Res.) Shmuel Keren Director of Development of Weapons
Systems Infrastructure
o Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yossi Beinhorn Defense Establishment Comptroller
o Maj. Gen. Avichi Mendelblit Military Advocate General
As of 10 June 2005, the above list is no longer up to date, though all
the positions remain officially in effect for the next several months.
Ground forces
* Infantry ( חיל רגלים ):
o Givati Brigade ( גבעתי )
o Golani Brigade ( גולני )
o Nahal Brigade ( נח"ל )
o Paratroopers Brigade ( צנחנים )
o Several dozens Special Forces and Counter-terrorism elite units (Sayeret)
o About 5 additional mixed unit battalions (Haruv, Shimshon, Nahshon,
Lavi, Duhifat).
* Armor ( שריון ):
o Barak Armored Brigade (aka. 188th Brigade)
o Ga'ash Brigade (Hativa Sheva in Hebrew, aka. 7th Brigade)
o Ikvot Habarzel Brigade (aka. 401st Brigade)
* Artillery ( תותחנים ):
o consisting of three brigades.
* Combat Engineering ( הנדסה קרבית ):
o Israeli Engineering Corps
+ consisting of a regular brigade and additional smaller units.
o Engineering company פלחה"ן in each infantry brigade.
Air force
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) ( [חיל האוויר] ) consists of:
* Warplanes
* Helicopter gunships
* Cargo planes
* Nun Mem (Neged Metosim) - Anti-aircraft brigades
Navy
The Israel Navy ( [חיל הים] ) consists of:
* Patrol boats
* Missile ships flotilla
* Submarines flotilla
* Naval Intelligence
* Radar units
* Shayetet 13 - naval commando
* Undersea missions unit
* Harbour security unit
Military intelligence
Directorate of Military Intelligence (אגף מודיעין)
Support
* C4I Directorate
o C4I (formerly Signal) Corps
* Technological and Logistics Directorate
o Logistics (Quartermaster) Corps
o Ordnance Corps
o Medical Corps
* Manpower Directorate
o Adjutant Corps
o Military Police (MP)
o Military Rabbinate
* Military Courts \ Military Attorney
* Military Schools \ Military Academy
Regional commands
* The Northern Command פיקוד הצפון
* The Midcountry Command פיקוד המרכז
* The Southern Command פיקוד הדרום
* Home Front Command פיקוד העורף
The Home Front Command, Pikud Ha'Oref was created to replace HAGAH after
the 1991 Gulf War. It main role is to provide defence to civilians
during wartime and mass-disasters.
o
+ Search and Rescue
+ Distribution of NBC protection kits to civilians.
Related armed forces
* Youth and Nahal Center
* Nahal
* Border Police (MAGAV) (a combat unit of the police, deployed mostly
along the borders and in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; includes also a
few special forces).
* Shin Bet (SHABAK - Sherut Bitahon Klali)
Israeli internal security service. Work tightly with the IDF to counter
Palestinian terrorism.
Israeli military technology
The IDF is considered to be one of the most high-tech armies in the
world, possessing top-of-the-line weapons and computer systems. Besides
purchasing American-made weapon systems (such as the M4A1 assault rifle,
F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon jets and Apache helicopter), the IDF
holds a large department of weapon development, Rafael (The Authority
For Weapons Development), which develops new weapons and technology to
the IDF. Most of the technologies are produced by the Israeli security
industries including the IMI, Elbit, El-Op and the IAI.
Israel's military technology is most famous for its guns, armored
vehicles (tanks, tank-converted APCs, armoured bulldozers etc) and
rocketry (missiles and rockets).
Currently Israel is the only country in the world with an anti-ballistic
missile defense system "Hetz" and working with the USA on development of
a tactical high energy laser system against medium range rockets (called
Nautilus THEL). Also, Israel has the independent capability of launching
satellites into orbit (a capability which is only held by Russia, the
USA, Europe (UK, France independently as well), China, Japan, India, and
Israel).
Main Israeli developments
* Small Arms
o Tavor TAR-21 bullpup assault rifle
+ "Refaim" advance rifle grenade
o Galil assault rifle
o Uzi submachine gun
+ Micro Uzi
+ Para Micro Uzi
+ Mini Uzi
+ Uzi pistol
o IMI Negev light machine gun
o Jericho 941 handgun
o Magnum Research "Desert Eagle" large-caliber handgun
o T.C.I. M89-SR semi-auto bullpup sniper rifle (based on a M-36 Sardius
rifle)
o SR-99 semi-auto sniper rifle
o RCWS - remote control weapon station
o OWS - overhead weapon station (also known as "Mag Refael")
* Armoured Fighting Vehicles
o Merkava - Main battle tank
+ Mk 1
+ Mk 2
+ Mk 3
+ Mk 3 Baz (improved armour and fire control system)
+ Mk 3 LIC (modified for low intensity warfare, i.e. urban warfare).
+ Mk 4
+ Nammer ARV - Merkava armoured recovery vehicle
o Magah (upgraded M60 Patton) - Main battle tank
o Puma - Combat engineering armoured vehicle
o Achzarit - APC (armored personal carrier)
o Multi purpose tank-chassis based IFVs\CEVs
+ NagmaShot
+ Nagmachon
+ Nakpadon
o Caterpillar D9 Bulldozer - an up-armoured military version
o Machbet - self propelled anti aircraft gun
* All-terrain vehicles and other wheeled vehicles
o Abir
o Sufa
o Desert Raider
* Rockets and Missiles
o Gil\Spike - ATGM (anti-tank guided missile)
o Shifon - ATGM
o Jericho missile - ballistic missile
o Shavit - can launch satellites into orbit
o Rafael Python 4 and Rafael Python 5 - advance air-to-air missiles
o Popeye - advance guided air-to-ground missile
o Hetz (Arrow missile) - part of a ballistic missile defense system,
able to shot down ballistic missiles
* Electronics and High-Tech
o Oren Yarok (Green Pine) - radar system
o Phalcon - intelligence gathering systems installed on large airplane
o Satellites such as Ofek 5
o Katbam - unmanned naval vehicle
o Litning Pod - enhance fighter jets offensive capabilities
o F-15I and F-16I fighter jets electronic systems
o Barak Zoher - advance tank firing system, installed on Merkava tanks
* Aviation
o Nesher fighter jet (upgraded Mirage V)
o Kfir fighter jet (upgraded and improved Mirage V)
o Nammer fighter jet
o Lavi fighter jet (original design, prototype flown but project
cancelled due to cost)
o Arava STOL medium transport aircraft
o Mazlat (UAV) - unmanned small aerial vehicle
Nuclear capability
It is generally believed that Israel is a nuclear power. The weapons
were thought to have been developed at the Dimona nuclear reactor since
the 1960s. The first two nuclear bombs were probably operational before
the Six-Day War and Prime Minister Eshkol ordered them armed in Israel's
first nuclear alert during that war. It is also believed that, fearing
defeat in the October 1973 Yom Kippur War, the Israelis assembled
thirteen twenty-kiloton nuclear bombs.
The current size and composition of Israel's nuclear stockpile is
uncertain, and is the subject of various estimates and reports. FAS
estimates that Israel probably has 100-200 nuclear warheads, which can
be delivered by airplanes (A4 Skyhawk or converted F-4 Phantom II), or
ballistic missiles (Lance, Jericho, or Jericho II missiles). The Jericho
II is reported to have a range between 1,500 and 4,000 km, meaning that
it can target sites as far away as central Russia.
It has also been speculated that the Israeli Navy's three 1,925 ton Type
800 Dolphin class submarines may be capable of carrying nuclear-armed
specially-modified Popeye Turbo cruise missiles. These missiles are
purported to have a 1,500 km range and are supposedly fired out of what
are suspected to be unusually-sized additional torpedo tubes that were
allegedly installed on the Dolphin submarine and are otherwise larger
than what is required to accommodate any currently known western torpedo
design in existence. A test of such a missile is alleged to have taken
place off the coast of Sri Lanka in May 2000. Nevertheless, some
military analysts have labeled such rumors to be highly unlikely and
impossible given the logistics of the submarines. Furthermore, there is
no factual basis for the origins of the alleged test firing.
The Israeli government has neither acknowledged nor denied that it
possesses nuclear weapons, an official policy referred to as
"ambiguity". However, a formerly imprisoned ex-Dimona employee,
Mordechai Vanunu, confirmed much of the earlier speculation.
Israeli Defence Forces Ranks
Enlisted דרגות חוגרים Rank in Hebrew Abbreviations Pronounced as... US
equivalent
טוראי none Turai Private
רב טוראי רב"ט Rav Turai Corporal
סמל none Samal Sergeant
סמל ראשון סמ"ר Samal Rishon Staff Sergeant
NCOs דרגות נגדים Rank in Hebrew Abbreviations Pronounced as... US
equivalent
רב סמל רס"ל Rav Samal Sergeant First Class
רב סמל ראשון רס"ר Rav Samal Rishon - Rasar First Sergeant
רב סמל מתקדם רס"מ Rav Samal Mitkadem Sergeant Major
רב סמל בכיר רס"ב Rav Samal Bachir Warrant Officer
רב נגד רנ"ג Rav Nagad Chief Warrant Officer
Junior officers דרגות קצונה זוטרה Rank in Hebrew Abbreviations
Pronounced as... US equivalent
קצין מקצוע אקדמאי קמ"א Katzin Miktzoa Academy Academic Officer
קצין אקדמאי בכיר קא"ב Katzin Academy Bachir Senior Academic Officer
סגן-משנה סג"מ Segen Mishne Second Lieutenant
סגן none Segen Lieutenant
סרן none Seren Captain
Senior officers דרגות קצונה בכירה Rank in Hebrew Abbreviations
Pronounced as... US equivalent
רב סרן רס"ן Rav Seren Major
סגן אלוף סא"ל Sgan Aluf Lieutenant Colonel
אלוף משנה אל"מ Aluf Mishne Colonel
תת-אלוף תא"ל Tat Aluf Brigadier General
אלוף none Aluf Major General
רב-אלוף רא"ל Rav Aluf Lieutenant General or General
Notes:
* If the ranks of the IDF are to be translated one-to-one to Western
ranks then a "Rav Aluf" is equivalent to Lieutenant General (since Major
General is "Aluf"). But since Rav Aluf in Israel is the high commander
of the army (including air force and navy), the translation of it as
"General" is more appropriate.
* In the IDF, the same ranks are used throughout the army, including air
force and navy. This contrasts with many other armed forced that have a
separate rank system for different branches.
Code of Conduct
In 1992, the IDF has written down a Code of Conduct that is a
combination of international law, Israeli law, Jewish heritage and the
IDF's own traditional ethical code - Ruach Tzahal רוח צה"ל ("The Spirit
of the IDF").
Values of the Code of Conduct
The IDF Code of Conduct emphasis the following values:
* Tenacity of Purpose in Performing Missions and Drive to Victory חתירה
לניצחון והשלמת המשימה
* Responsibility אחריות
* Credibility אמינות
* Personal Example דוגמה אישית
* Human Life ערך חיי אדם
* Professionalism מקצועיות
* Discipline משמעת
* Comradeship רעות
* Sense of Mission שליחות
* Purity of Arms טוהר הנשק - "The IDF servicemen and women will use
their weapons and force only for the purpose of their mission, only to
the necessary extent and will maintain their humanity even during
combat. IDF soldiers will not use their weapons and force to harm human
beings who are not combatants or prisoners of war, and will do all in
their power to avoid causing harm to their lives, bodies, dignity and
property."
Code of Conduct against terrorists
Recently, a team of professors, commanders and former judges, led by Tel
Aviv University head of Ethics cathedra, Professor Assa Kasher,
developed a code of conduct which emphasizes the right behavior in low
intensity warfare against terrorists, where soldiers must operate within
a civilian population. Reserve units and regular units alike are taught
the following eleven rules of conduct, which are an addition to the more
general IDF Spirit:
1. Military action can only be taken against military targets.
2. The use of force must be proportional.
3. Soldiers may only use weaponry they were issued by the IDF.
4. Anyone who surrenders cannot be attacked.
5. Only those who are properly trained can interrogate prisoners.
6. Soldiers must accord dignity and respect to the Palestinian
population and those arrested.
7. Soldiers must give appropriate medical care, when conditions allow,
to oneself and one's enemy.
8. Pillaging is absolutely and totally illegal.
9. Soldiers must show proper respect for religious and cultural sites
and artifacts.
10. Soldiers must protect international aid workers, including their
property and vehicles.
11. Soldiers must report all violations of this code.
Critics, including B'Tselem and Amnesty International accuse Israel of
frequently violating their own purity of arms and code of ethics, and
protecting soldiers who do. (See also, Deir Yassin massacre, Qibya
massacre, Kafr Qasim massacre - all occured prior to 1956 ).
Palestinians and their supporters often refer to the IDF as the "Israeli
Occupation Force" (IOF). This epithet expresses their belief that the
primary role of the IDF is maintaining the "Occupation" of the
Palestinian territories, rather than "Defense" of Israeli citizens. Some
even refuse to use the official title at all, claiming it is a
propaganda term.
Recent policies and tactics
Owing to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the tactics of the
IDF have been adapted for low intensity warfare primarily against
Palestinian militants operating from within densely-populated civilian
areas. Sometimes, such clashes have resulted in deaths of nearby
civilians.
Targeted killings
The IDF also employs a controversial strategy of assassinations (called
"targeted killings") of Palestinian militant leaders.
Those policies are largely supported by Israeli society, but there are
exceptions: In 2003, 27 IAF Air Force pilots composed a letter of
protest to the Air Force commander, announcing their refusal to continue
and perform attacks on targets within Palestinian population centers,
and claiming that the occupation of the Palestinians "morally corrupts
the fabric of Israeli society". This letter, the first of its kind
emanating from the Air Force, evoked a storm of political protest in
Israel, with most circles condemning it as dereliction of duty. IDF
ethics forbid soldiers from making public political affiliations, and
subsequently the IDF chief of staff announced that all the signatories
would be suspended from flight duty, after which some of the pilots
recanted and removed their signature.
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