Israeli Security Forces - Overview
The Israel Security
Forces (ISF) are several organizations collectively responsible for
Israel's security. The organizations are independent but cooperate with
each other. The list includes military, government agencies, law
enforcement organizations and public officials as well as voluntary
first aid organization, operated by civilians, and assisted by the state
of Israel.
Most Israeli citizens upon reaching age 18 are required to serve three
years (for males; a shorter time for females) in the military service.
Religious girls often do an alternative service (Sheirut Leumi). Many
religious boys enter the Hesder program, allowing them to in continue
their Torah studies - serving 1 1/2 years in the IDF on active duty, and
learning for three years in a yeshiva. Israeli Arabs are not required to
serve in the military, and very few do. Israeli Druze often serve, and
there are groups of Bedouins that serve in Bedouin units (most commonly
in Gaza) or in the border police.
Combat security organizations
* Israeli Defence Forces: the military. The IDF operates air, ground and
naval forces in order to protect Israel against foreign armies and
terrorists. The IDF elite units are called Sayeret. The most famous
Sayeret units are Sayeret Matkal and Shayetet-13.
o The Intelligence Branch (Aman).
o Infantry brigades (Paratroopers Brigade, Golani Brigade, Givati
Brigade, Nahal Brigade, Mech. Infantry)
o Armored corps and Artillery corps,
o The Israeli Engineering Corps
o The Israeli Air Force
o The Israeli Navy
o (full list)
* Israeli police: a civilian force. As most other police forces in the
world, their duties include crime fighting, traffic control and
maintaining public safety.
o Border Police ("MAGAV"): the combat arm of the Israeli Police. Border
Police troops are trained by the IDF in high infantry level but serve
under the police. They are deployed in the disputed territories and in
the countryside. They are also deployed on the borders of Israel. YAMAM
is the elite civilian counter terrorism unit of Israel.
o MASHAZ (Civilian Guard): a volunteer organization of citizens which
assists in daily police work. Members are trained to provide the initial
response to a security situation until the police arrive. MASHAZ
volunteers are armed with M1 Carbine and personal handguns. The MASHAZ
also have special units, but their members require additional training
and a higher level of commitment.
* SHABAS - Prison service: the SHABAS is responsible for guarding
Israeli prisons and make sure that the prisoners will not escape. The
SHABAS special unit is called "Metzada" and is specialized for hostages
situation inside the prisons.
* Shin Bet (Israel Internal Security Service): Shin-Bet's duties are to
protect ministers and high public officials (such as the president or
the head of police), to prevent the violent insurrection, to gather
intelligence, to pinpoint terrorist cells and prevent them from causing
damage. Shin-Bet activities are classified.
* Ha-Mossad le-Modiin ule-Tafkidim Meyuhadim (Hebrew: המוסד למודיעין
ולתפקידים מיוחדים, "Institute for Intelligence and Special Tasks"): the
Mossad is an Israeli intelligence agency. It is responsible for
intelligence collection, covert action (including paramilitary
activities and assassinations) and counter-terrorism. Its focus is on
Arab nations and organizations throughout the world.
* LOTAR Eilat: a special reserves unit for counter-terror which based in
Eilat.
* KABATs (Security Officers): public officials trained in combat and
able to handle terrorist threats. The KABATs, beside supplying an
initial response to threats, are experts in security issues. When they
are deployed in small town or villages, they are responsible for that
settlement's defense.
Non-combat security organizations
* Magen David Adom: Israeli first aid organization responsible for
emergency medical, disaster, ambulance and blood bank services. The name
means "Red Star of David."
* Mechabey Esh (Fire department): Israeli firefighters. They are
responsible for extinguishing fires and extracting people trapped in
structures (ranging from stuck elavators to collapsed buildings).
* Pikud HaOref Rescue Team: a military rescue team which handles
large-scale civilians disasters such as earthquakes, collapsing
buildings and missile attacks on cities.
* ZAKA - Hessed Shel Emet ("True Grace"): a volunteer organization
mostly comprised of Haredi Jews who assume the duty of collecting human
remains following a disaster, to provide those remains a proper Jewish
burial. ZAKA has gained much positive publicity for its efforts in
handling remains of victims of suicide bombings. Their founder, Yehuda
Meshi Zahav, was honored by being asked to light a beacon during the
celebration of Israel's Independence Day. In addition to recovering body
parts, ZAKA also provides first aid services and assists in searching
for missing people.
* Local Rescue teams: A rescue team on each of the Galil, the Golan
Heights and the Negev rescues lost travelers and tourists.
General Remarks
The ISF are viewed by most experts as one of the best in their fields,
especially in counter-terrorism. Many of the world's security experts,
as well as inventors of security technology, are Israelis who trained
and served many years in the ISF. The ISF works within tight budgets are
known for creativity and innovation in resolving difficult situations.
Some Israeli SF units such as Sayeret Matkal, Shayetet 13 (naval
commando) and the YAMAM are considered to be among the best special
forces units in the world (along with the British SAS and the US Delta
Force).
Other observers criticize the ISF for brutality, human rights
violations, racism and sexism. Some reports state that the ISF oppresses
Palestinians with executions, beatings and prison without trial. Others
complain that the dreary desk jobs Israeli women have in the ISF
continue in Israeli society.
From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_Security_Forces
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