Israel Defense Forces

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is the national military of the State of Israel. It has three main parts: the Israeli Ground Forces, the Israeli Air Force, and the Israeli Navy. The IDF is led by the chief of the general staff, who reports to the defense minister.

The IDF was created on 26 May 1948, just after Israel declared its independence. It started with people from groups that existed before, like the Haganah, the Irgun, and Lehi. Since then, the IDF has been part of armed conflicts involving Israel.

After peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994, the IDF changed its strategy. It moved its focus to southern Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. In 2000, the IDF left Southern Lebanon, and in 2005, it left Gaza. Since then, there have been ongoing conflicts between Israel and groups based in Gaza, such as Hamas.

The IDF has a close relationship with the United States, working together on research and development, including projects like the F-15I and the Arrow defense system.

Etymology

The name "Israel Defense Forces" was chosen on May 26, 1948, by the Israeli government. In Hebrew, it is called Tzva haHagana leYisra'el, meaning "the army for the defence of Israel." This name was picked to show that the army’s job was to protect the country. It also included the name of an earlier group called the Haganah, which had defended Jewish communities before Israel became a country. This name was chosen in the end. In the official laws about the military, the Hebrew name is written as צבא הגנה לישראל.

History

Main article: History of the Israel Defense Forces

See also: Zionism § Pre-state self-defense

Further information: List of the Israel Defense Forces operations

The Israel Defense Forces, or IDF, started with small Jewish groups that wanted to keep their communities safe. These groups joined together over time.

After World War II, when Israel was becoming a country, the IDF was officially formed in 1948. Since then, the IDF has worked to protect Israel and its people during many different times.

Organization

All parts of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) follow one General Staff. The top leader is called the Chief of the General Staff, who holds the rank of Lieutenant General. This leader works closely with the Defense Minister and the Prime Minister of Israel. The Chief of the General Staff is chosen by the government for three years, and sometimes this time can be extended.

Structure

The IDF has several important groups, including:

Regional commands

• Northern Command
• Central Command
• Southern Command
• Home Front Command

Arms

Ground Arm

This includes groups like infantry soldiers, armored vehicle teams, and artillery experts.

Air and Space Arm

• Air Force
• Air Defense Network

Sea Arm

• Israeli Navy

Administrative branches

These help manage different jobs within the IDF, like planning, intelligence, and support services.

Personnel Directorate

This group takes care of planning and supporting all the people who work for the IDF. It helps with organizing teams and making sure everyone has what they need.

Other bodies

These include schools for training leaders and helpers who work with the government.

Ranks, uniforms and insignia

Ranks

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) uses the same rank names for all its groups, including the air force and navy.

Conscripts can earn ranks based on time served, such as Private, Corporal, Sergeant, and First Sergeant. There are also ranks for officers, including Second Lieutenant up to Lieutenant General.

Uniforms

The IDF has different types of uniforms. The everyday uniform, called Service dress, is worn by everyone. Field dress is worn for combat, training, or work on base.

Uniforms come in olive green for ground forces, and beige or tan for navy and air force personnel. They include shirts, trousers, sweaters, jackets, and shoes or boots. Special units may have their own uniform variations.

Insignia

IDF soldiers wear different signs to show which group they belong to, their specific unit, and their job. These signs include pins on berets, tags on shoulder straps, and other small symbols.

Service

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has three main ways people can serve:

• Regular service: This is required military service for most Israeli citizens over 18. Men and women both serve for about two years.
• Permanent service: This is for soldiers who choose to keep serving after their regular time, either for a short or long period.
• Reserve service: After finishing regular service, people may be called to help for up to one month every few years, especially during times of war.

The IDF also offers special programs, like courses for students and jobs for civilians working with the military. The Israeli Manpower Directorate helps organize all these services.

Regular service

National military service is required for most Israeli citizens over 18, with some exceptions. Until 2024, ultra-Orthodox Jewish men did not have to serve, but now they can be drafted too. Men and women both serve for about two years. Some soldiers can join special forces units.

Permanent service

Permanent service is for soldiers who want to keep serving after their regular time, either for a short or long period, often making it their career.

Reserve service

After regular service, people may be assigned to reserve forces. They can be called for up to one month every few years until age 40 (or 45 for officers). During wartime, reservists can be called to active duty right away.

Non-IDF service

Some people can serve in other ways, like in the Israel Border Police or in police services instead of the regular army.

Women

Israel is one of the few countries where women can be drafted and serve in combat roles. About 88% of all jobs in the IDF are open to women, though many choose not to serve for religious reasons. Women have held important positions and have served in many roles across the IDF.

Minorities in the IDF

Different groups, like Druze and Circassian people, also serve in the IDF. They have their own special units but can also join regular units. There are programs to help Ethiopian Jewish soldiers fit in and succeed.

Druze and Circassians

Druze and Circassian men must serve. They used to have their own special units, but now they can join regular units and reach high ranks.

Bedouins and Israeli Arabs

Most Israeli Arabs do not have to serve, but some choose to. Bedouins are encouraged to join, and there are benefits for those who do. Some Christian and Muslim Arabs also serve voluntarily.

Ethiopian Jews

The IDF has special programs to help Ethiopian Jewish soldiers succeed and feel included.

Haredim

In the past, ultra-Orthodox Jewish men could avoid service, but this changed in 2024. Now they can be drafted and have special units and arrangements to fit their needs.

LGBT people

Since the 1990s, people of all sexual orientations can serve equally in the IDF without restrictions.

Deaf and hard-of-hearing people

Israel is the only country that requires deaf and hard-of-hearing people to serve. They work in non-combat roles and have sign language interpreters.

Vegans

Vegan soldiers have special food options and can avoid certain requirements if needed.

Overseas volunteers

There are programs for people from outside Israel to volunteer with the IDF, like the Mahal program for young Jews and other programs for different types of service.

Doctrine

IDF Code of Ethics

Main article: IDF Code of Ethics

In 1992, the Israel Defense Forces made rules to guide their actions. These rules mix international laws, Israeli laws, Jewish traditions, and the values that guide the IDF. The main ideas are to protect the country and its people, respect the homeland, treat everyone with dignity, and act with honor. These rules help soldiers know what is expected of them.

Targeted killing

Main article: Targeted killing by Israel

Sometimes, the IDF uses special operations to stop people who plan attacks. This has happened during conflicts, like the one between Israel and Palestine, or with other groups. In 2005, two experts wrote about how these actions fit into larger ideas about fighting fairly in wars. They believed these operations could be right, even if they might affect others nearby. However, some people disagree, saying this goes against rules about keeping wars fair and protecting people who are not fighting.

Hannibal Directive

Main article: Hannibal Directive

The Hannibal Directive is a plan the IDF uses to stop enemy forces from capturing Israeli soldiers. It started in 1986 after some soldiers were taken in Lebanon. The exact details are secret, but the idea is to prevent captures, even if it means big actions. Over time, the rules have changed. In 2011, a top leader said it does not allow hurting Israeli soldiers to stop a capture.

Dahiya doctrine

Main article: Dahiya doctrine

The Dahiya doctrine is a strategy used by the IDF, named after a part of Beirut damaged in a war in 2006. It involves using strong forces, like airplanes and artillery, against places where attack groups operate, even if those places are used by ordinary people. This approach aims to stop attacks by using powerful responses.

Budget

Israel spent a lot of money on its defense over the years. In the 1950s and 1960s, about 9% of its money went to defense. After big wars in 1967 and 1973, this number rose to about 30% in 1975. Later, it went down after making peace with nearby countries.

In 2009, leaders added more money to the defense budget because of worries about Iran. That year, the defense budget was NIS 48.6 billion, and it rose to NIS 53.2 billion in 2010. In 2011, a leader tried to cut some of this spending, which caused worries about the army’s readiness. In 2012, Israel spent $15.2 billion on its armed forces.

Equipment and weaponry

Main articles: List of equipment of the Israel Defense Forces and Defense industry of Israel

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) use many different weapons and tools. Some are made in Israel and some come from other countries. They use rifles, fighter jets, and attack helicopters from the United States. Israel also makes its own weapons, like battle tanks and fighter planes.

The IDF has special balloons with cameras to watch for danger. They also have strong tools, such as armoured bulldozers and robots for handling explosives.

The IDF has special groups for creating new technology and buys tools from Israeli companies. These tools have been used in real battles, which helps the IDF and the companies.

Israel is known for making advanced weapons like tanks, unmanned aircraft, and missiles. They also make systems to protect against incoming rockets and missiles, such as the Iron Dome.

Israel can launch satellites to watch from space and has developed many electronic systems used in planes, tanks, and ships. They also make drones, which are unmanned aircraft that can do many different tasks.

The IDF provides special food packs for soldiers when they are out in the field. These packs include canned foods, fruit drinks, and chocolate spread.

The IDF is always working on new plans to improve its tools and training. They are changing some of their rifles and vehicles and are planning to build new tanks with special protection. The Air Force is getting new fighter jets and plans to use more unmanned aircraft in the future. The Navy is adding more submarines and new types of warships.

Foreign military relations

France

Further information: France–Israel relations

Since Israel became a country in 1948, France and Israel have had a strong partnership in military, business, and politics. This close relationship lasted until 1969. From 1956 to 1966, the two countries worked together closely on military matters.

United States

Main article: Israel–United States military relations

In 1983, the United States and Israel created a group that meets twice a year to talk about military plans. Both countries work together on planning, exercises, and making new weapons. The U.S. keeps special supplies of weapons in Israel. Israel is a key ally of the United States. Since 1976, Israel has been the largest receiver of U.S. aid each year. In 2009, Israel got money to buy military tools from U.S. companies.

In 2012, the U.S. and Israel held a big training event called Austere Challenge 12, with many U.S. and Israeli soldiers. Germany and Britain also joined. Since 2017, the U.S. has operated an anti-missile system in southern Israel.

As of 2026, most of the foreign soldiers in the Israeli military are from the United States, followed by people from France and Russia.

India

Further information: India–Israel relations

India and Israel have strong military ties. India is Israel’s second-largest partner in Asia and the biggest buyer of Israeli weapons. In 2006, India bought Israeli weapons. Over the past 20 years, India has bought a lot of weapons from Israel. In 2004, Israel sold special radar systems to India’s air force. In 2008, India launched Israel’s most advanced spy satellite, and in 2009, India made a new spy satellite with help from Israel.

Germany

Further information: Germany–Israel relations

Germany made and gave submarines to Israel. Germany and Israel have worked together in secret but helpful ways. For example, Israeli intelligence shared information with Germany to help develop new weapons. Israel also trained members of a German special operations unit. Israeli tanks use engines made in Germany.

In 2008, it was reported that Germany and Israel were working together on a nuclear warning system.

United Kingdom

Further information: Israel–United Kingdom relations

The United Kingdom has provided Israel with boats, airplane parts, weapons for helicopters and tanks, and parts for unmanned airplanes.

Russia

Further information: Israel–Russia relations § Military collaboration

In 1999, Israel and Russia talked about selling military airplanes to China, to be made together by both countries. Russia has also bought drones from Israel.

China

Further information: China–Israel relations

Israel is one of the biggest sellers of weapons to China. China has bought many military tools from Israel, including unmanned airplanes and satellites. This partnership has helped China get technology that other countries were not willing to share.

Cyprus

Further information: Cyprus–Israel relations

Since 2010, Israel and Cyprus have improved their relationship. During a big fire in Israel in 2010, Cyprus sent help. Israel and Cyprus also work together on sea activities and share information to keep each other safe.

Greece

Further information: Greece–Israel relations

Since 2010, Israel and Greece have trained together in the air. Greece has bought special bombs from Israel. In 2011, Israel and Greece held joint training, and similar events happened in later years. In 2013, the navies of Israel, Greece, and the United States held a training event. In 2017, Israel joined a big training event organized by Greece with other countries.

Turkey

Further information: Israel–Turkey relations

Israel has helped Turkey with military tools, including unmanned airplanes and upgrades for Turkish airplanes. Turkey uses Israeli-made tanks and has bought missiles from Israel. However, their relationship has become harder in recent years. Since 2010, Turkey has not taken part in a yearly naval training event with Israel and the United States.

Azerbaijan

Further information: Azerbaijan–Israel relations

Since 1992, Israel and Azerbaijan have worked closely together. Israel has provided Azerbaijan with airplanes, artillery, and other weapons. In 2009, an Israeli president visited Azerbaijan, and in 2012, Israel agreed to sell drones and defense systems to Azerbaijan.

Other countries

Israel has also traded military tools with many other countries, including 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.

Commemoration

Parades

The Israel Defense Forces used to have big parades on Independence Day for the first 25 years of the country. After 1973, they stopped these parades because of money and safety issues. Now, on Independence Day, the military shows off its weapons in different places around the country, but these shows happen in one spot instead of moving around.

Commemoration

See also: Yom Hazikaron

Yom Hazikaron, the day when Israel remembers soldiers who lost their lives, happens on the 4th day of the month of Iyar in the Hebrew calendar. This day comes right before Independence Day is celebrated on Independence Day.

Israel has many museums about its military history. One of the biggest is the Yad La-Shiryon in Latrun, which has lots of tanks. Other important 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 at Hatzerim Airbase in the Negev Desert, and there is also an Israeli Clandestine Immigration and Naval Museum in Haifa.

The main military cemetery in Israel is at Mount Herzl. Other military cemeteries are Kiryat Shaul Military Cemetery in Tel Aviv, and Sgula military cemetery at Petah Tikva.