The Israel Defense Forces

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Tsva HaHagana LeYisrael often abbreviated Tzahal, is Israel’s armed forces, comprised of the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Formed in 1948, following the founding of Israel, its mission statement is, “ To defend the existence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the State of Israel.

History

Before the establishment of the State of Israel, a number of armed Jewish defense organizations operated. In addition to the Haganah and Palmach, which answered to the elected leadership of the Jewish national institutions, other armed defense groups, namely the Lehi (Lohamei Herut Israel or “fighters for the Freedom of Israel”) and the IZL (Irgun Zevai Le'ummi or “National Military Organization”) operated independently.

On May 28, 1948, the Provisional Government of the State of Israel issued Defense Army of Israel Ordinance No. 4. This ordinance, signed by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, established the Israel Defense Forces.

The IDF was comprised of 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.

After the establishment of the IDF, the two Jewish underground organizations, the Etzel and Lehi, joined the defense forces 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 disbanded, and their members integrated into the IDF.

Principles

The IDF and its soldiers are obligated to protect human life and dignity, valuing every individual regardless of origin, religion, nationality, gender, status or position. Under the Ethical Code of the IDF, it is Israel’s policy to only use force of arms for the purpose of subduing the enemy to the necessary extent. In times of both war and peace, servicemen exercise purity of arms and use force for the purpose of achieving their mission, without inflicting unnecessary injury to human life or limb; dignity or property, of both soldiers and civilians, with special consideration for the defenseless.

National Military Service

All eligible men and women are drafted into the IDF at age 18. Men serve for three years, women for 21 months. Deferments may be granted to qualified students at institutions of higher education. New immigrants may be deferred or serve for shorter periods of time, depending on their age and personal status on entering the country. Men in the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community, are exempt while enrolled in yeshivot, a practice that is a source of controversy, as many secular Jews resent them not serving.

Following regular service, men may be called for reserve service of up to one month annually, until the age of 43-45 (reservists may volunteer after this age), and may be called for active duty in times of crisis. In most cases, the reserve duty is carried out in the same unit.

Druze Arabs and Circassians, like Israeli Jews, are required to serve 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 distinction. Unlike the United States Army, homosexuals are allowed to openly serve in the military.

Service is not mandatory for all other Israeli minorities (notably Israeli Arabs but also Black Hebrews and others). However, a large number of Bedouin, 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.

Women in the IDF

Israeli women were not allowed to serve in combat units until 1994, when a High Court appeal by a Jewish immigrant from South Africa ruled that a number of combat roles be open to female soldiers. In 2002, women comprised 33% of lower rank officers, 21% of Captains and Majors, and only 3% of senior ranks. The first female fighter pilot received her wings in 2001. Women are currently able to serve in 83% of IDF positions, including Shipboard Navy Service (excluding submarines) and Artillery. Although combat units are voluntary for women, 450 women serve in these units, primarily in the Border Police.

Technology

The IDF is one of the most high-tech armies in the world, possessing top-of-the-line weapons and computer systems. The Israeli security industry maintains a very high repute for its guns, armored fighting vehicles (tanks, tank-converted APCs, armoured bulldozers etc) and rocketry (missiles and rockets). The Air Force is considered one of the world’s best, with American-made F-15 Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons, and Apache helicopters. Israel also designs and in some cases manufactures aircraft (Kfir, Lavi) and naval systems (patrol and missile ships) Much of the IDF's electronic systems (intelligence, communication, command and control, navigation etc.) are Israeli-developed.

Currently Israel is the only country in the world with an anti-ballistic missile defense system (the Arrow). Israel is also working with the United States on developing a tactical high energy laser system against medium range rockets (called Nautilus THEL).

Israel can launch reconnaissance satellites into orbit, a capability shared only by Russia, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, and Japan. Both the satellites (Ofeq) and the launchers (Shavit) were developed by the Israeli security industries.

Israel is also thought to have a nuclear capability, although the Israeli government has never confirmed this. The Federation of American Scientists estimates that Israel probably has 100-200 nuclear warheads, which can be delivered by airplanes or ballistic missiles. The Jericho II missile is reported to have a range between 1,500 and 4,000 km, and therefore can target sites as far away as central Russia, Iran and Libya.