|
||||
The
Israel Defense Forces:
The Mission of the Israel Defense Forces To defend the existence and territorial sovereignty of the state of Israel. To protect the inhabitants of Israel and to combat all forms of terrorism which threaten daily life. Defense Goal and Policy: The State of Israel has always and a single defense goal - to ensure the existence of israel and the security of its citizens. Israel's defense policy has been, therefore, to maintain a strong deterrent capacity to dissuade potential enemies from attacking. Defense Strategy: Israel's security doctrine dictates that Israel cannot lose a single war. If war breaks out, Israel must defeat the enemy quickly and decisively. Since it lacks strategic depth, Israel must prevent the enemy from entering its territory, and must try to quickly transfer the battle to enemy territory. Basic Defense
Problems and Solutions: Israel's population is also very small so it has never been able to amass a large army, certainly nothing near the size of that of a large Arab state, equipped to cope with immediate security needs. Israel relies heavily on its reserve forces and in time of war, most of the population is called up. To make up for this quantitative disadvantage, it is essential that Israel maintain as large a qualitative lead as possible. The IDF makes up for its lack of size by superior maneuverability and fire power, and by relying on intelligence. Main Areas of
activity:
Through War and Peace: The IDF was formed in the throes of war with the establishment of the state half a century ago. And in the course of its short fifty years, Israel was forced into wars most reckoned it could not survive. But the IDF came out victorious. It fought boldly against Arab armies who wanted to destroy the state, and won against overwhelming odds. Born in battle, the Israel Defense Forces had to face the greatest challenges to defend israel against large Arab armies which sought to destroy the Jewish state 1948 War of Independence.
The day after the State of Israel was declared, five Arab
armies advanced on 1956 Sinai Campaign. Israel tries to put an end to repeated terrorist incursions from Egypt and lift the Egyptian blockade on Eilat. 1967 Six Day War. Arab armies, led by Egypt mass their troops on Israel's borders. Israel preempts an Arab offensive with a well-orchestrated attack against Arab air forces. In a war fought only six days on three fronts, against Egypt, Jordan and Syria, Israel succeeds in capturing the West Bank, Sinai, the Golan Heights, and unifies its capital, Jerusalem. 1968-71 1973 Yom Kipur War. A surprise attack by Egypt and Syria on the holiest day of the jewish year. The IDF is initially taken by surprise but eventually manages to turn the tide, with Israeli troops advancing past the Suez Canal into Egypt and nearing Damascus in Syria. 1976 Operation Jonathan, the Entebbe Rescue Operation. In this daring act against terrorism, IDF commandos fly to Uganda and rescue over a 100 hostages held on a plane hijacked to this distant African country. 1978 Operation Litani. An anti-terrorist operation into Lebanon after terrorists kill 37 civilians on the coastal road near Tel Aviv.
1981 Destruction of the Iraqi nuclear reactor. With Iraq's programs to develop nuclear arms moving into advanced stages, Israel launches a successful air attacks , destroying the Iraqi Osirak nuclearreactor. 1982 Operation Peace for Galilee. After repeated terrorist attacks, Israel enters Lebanon to act against PLO bases. IDF troops reach Beirut and evict the PLO from Lebanon. 1982-85 The Lebanon
Withdrawal. IDF gradually withdraws from
Lebanon, setting up security zone in southern Lebanon,
north of 1987 Intifada. Beginning of a Palestinian uprising (Intifada) in the Administered Territories. 1991 Gulf War. Iraq fires Scud missles on Israeli cities. This is the first time Israel is faced with the threat of a non-conventinal weapon attack. 1993 Declaration of
Principles with the PLO (Oslo 1). The PLO
recognizes Israel's existence and Israel commits to
setting up a Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and
Gaza. Operation Accountability. Limited operation in
Lebanon against Hizbullah terrorists to ensure the safety
of northern Israel. 1994 Peace treaty with Jordan. Formalization and expansion of unofficial relations which had existed between the two countries. The IDF redeploys in Gaza and Jericho. 1995 Interim Agreement with the Palestinians (Oslo 2). The IDF moves out of six cities and populated Arab areas in the West Bank. 1996 Operation Grapes of Wrath. Another operation against Hizbullah terrorists in Lebanon after repeated Katyusha rocket firing into the north of Israel. 1996 Flare-up in the territories. Palestinian Police join rioters and fire on Israeli troops. 1997 Redeployment in Hebron. (in the context of Oslo 2). From the signing of the Declaration of Principles between Israel and the PLO on September 13, 1993, until September 2000, 256 civilians and soldiers were killed in terrorist attacks in Israel.
The Non-Conventional Threat: Today Israel faces a growing threat from peripheral states in the Middle East, such as Iraq, Iran and Libya, which are acquiring conventional and non-conventional weapons of mass destruction with long-range capabilities. Syria too is developing its missile program and arming itself with conventional and non-conventional weapons. The Menace from the
North: Fighting Terrorism: Terrorism is recognized worldwide as a strategic and global threat, with nations around the world joining together in the war against terror. The IDF has accepted the fact that one of its main tasks for the future is fighting insurgency and terrorism. Israel today is faced with terrorism by Islamic fundamentalist groups - Hizbullah in southern Lebanon and Hamas in the territories. In the recent years terrorism by these groups has increased and has taken a heavier toll. In 1996 an inter-agency committee was set up in the Prime Minister's Office to coordinate anti-terrorist activities The Homefront: Missile Defense: Another lesson of the Gulf War was the need to develop a national missile defense system. Israel is now developing the Arrow missile which is designed to intercept and destroy incoming missiles in mid-air. The project, supported by the United States, is at the forefront of missile defense technology and will be operational before the year 2000. Israel is also developing other missile defense systems including the Nautilus - a laser system which will destroy incoming katyusha rockets - and the Boost Phase Intercept. Command, Control,
Communications and Intelligence:
Accuracy and Range: Manpower: Perhaps the greatest advantage the IDF possesses is its manpower. It is the men and women in uniform who put to maximal use Israel's high technology, and it is they, with their sense of duty, commitment and motivation, who make the IDF the army that it is.
Regular and Reserve Components: The IDF consists of a regular army of conscripts and a small number of career servicemen; and a large reserve force. Compulsory military service is three years for men and 21 months for women, with men continuing to serve in the reserves until their forties. The IDF does not produce officers through academies, rather commanders rise through the ranks by their leadership and command abilities. Women's Service: The IDF is the only army in the world which
maintains compulsory service for women. While women do
not participate in combat, Integrating Force: Israel's first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, saw the IDF not only as the means to defend the country but also as a framework for integrating israeli society. The IDF today continues to serve as a melting pot, with young men and women from every background serving together, living in the same tents and given the same responsibility. The IDF brings together native israelis and new immigrants, youngsters from privileged homes and development towns, religious and secular, Jew and even Arab. Together they endure the demands and rigors of army life, and forge a common identity as equal members of society. Minorities: The Individual: One of the secrets of the IDF's strength is the quality and moral fortitude of the men and women in its ranks. The underlying foundation of the army is the individual soldier and the IDF works to cultivate and meet the needs of each one. Tailored to the People and the Country: Aware of the diversity in Israeli society, the IDF offers a wide range of options for every type of conscript. For example, Nahal ('The Fighting Pioneer Youth') Command combines military service in comabt units with civilian agricultural work and community service. Army-affiliated religious academies (yeshivot hesder) combine military service with study in a religious acadamy. The Education and Youth Corps offers scores of programs to both soldiers and civilians. IDF servicemen and women serve as counselors among high school students; they teach Hebrew to immigrants in absorption centers and work in the rehabilitation of underprivileged youth. Army of the Jewish
People: For 50 years, beginning on January 1, 1952 when seven armed terrorists attacked and killed a nineteen year-old girl in her home, in the neighborhood of Beit Yisrael, in Jerusalem, Israel has fought against terrorism. Those who have lost their lives to terrorism are listed here:
"The civilized world is rallying to America's side. They understand that if this terror goes unpunished, their own cities, their own citizens may be next. Terror, unanswered, can not only bring down buildings, it can threaten the stability of legitimate governments. And you know what -- we're not going to allow it." George W. Bush In the attacks of September 11, 2001, our Nation suffered the loss of over 3,000 innocent men, women, and children. Since that fateful day, our ally Israel has suffered a comparable loss. With 6 million citizens compared to our 280 million, Israel's 60 victims between September and December, 2001 equates to over 2,700 American victims. The Resolution
Passed by Congress On December 4, 2001: Concurrent Resolution Expressing solidarity with Israel in the fight against terrorism. Whereas 26 innocent people in Israel were murdered in cold blood and at least 175 wounded by Palestinian terrorists, all within 14 hours, during the weekend of December 1-2, 2001; Whereas this is the equivalent, on a proportional basis, of 1,200 American deaths and 8,000 wounded; Whereas United States Middle East envoy Anthony Zinni has labeled the terrorism of December 1-2, 2001, `the deepest evil one can imagine'; Whereas this bloody weekend is part of an ongoing terror campaign often targeted at youth and families and perpetrated by the Islamic fundamentalist groups Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian terrorist groups; Whereas President Bush declared at a joint session of Congress on September 20, 2001, that "Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime"; and Whereas President Bush declared on December 2, 2001, that "Chairman Arafat must do everything in his power to find those who murdered innocent Israelis and bring them to justice": Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--
|
Our war on terror begins with al
Qaeda, but it does not end there. It
will not end until every terrorist group of
global reach has been found, stopped and
defeated. 
This is not, however, just America's
fight. And what is at stake is not
just America's freedom. This is the
world's fight. This is civilization's
fight. This is the fight of all who
believe in progress and pluralism, tolerance and
freedom. 
There has always been a basic asymmetry between
Israel and its Arab neighbors. Israel covers a tiny area
on the map compared with its neighbors. 
the new state. The IDF is
established and the whole of Israel is mobilized as the
country fights for its existence. Israel repels the
attack and a cease-fire is reached in 1949. 
War of Attrition.
In this three-year long conflict Israel confronts
repeated incursions, guerrila warfare and static
artillery from Egypt. 
1979 Peace
with Egypt. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat
becomes the first leader of an Arab state to make peace
with Israel. As part of the treaty Israel withdraws from
the Sinai. 
Israel's border. 
On the Road to Peace: Today Israel faces a different reality, and is
presented with new challenges. Hopefully, Israel is now
entering an era of peace with its immediate neighbors.
Israel has signed peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan,
is in the midst of a peace process with the palestinians,
and is attempting to pursue a dialogue with Syria. While
peace is the best form of security for Israel, a strong
IDF is essential for securing that peace. 
The IDF
continues to find itself embroiled in a day-to-day
guerrilla war north of its border in southern Lebanon.
The IDF is fighting the radical Shiite Hizbullah
organization to protect towns and villages in northern
Israel from Katyusha rocket attacks and terrorist
infiltrations. 
Based on the the
experience of the Gulf War when Israel's cities were hit
by Iraqi Scud missles, the IDF is focusing its attention
on protecting the civilian population from the threat of
missiles and the possibility of a non-conventional war.
The IDF is currently recognizing and strengthening the
civil defense under the Homefront Command to coordinate
IDF and civilian emergency services in time of war. It is
also modifying its doctrine to minimize the danger of a
possible non-conventional attack. 
Modern warfare
has become increasingly linked to hi-tech, and Israel is
a world leader in the field. The IDF's qualitative edge
has always been supported by extensive investment in
research and development. The IDF works hand in hand with
Israel's defense industries to develop custom-made
weapons systems to meet Israel's needs. Advanced defense
technology enables Israel to control large-scale forces
on an integrated battlefield and to obtain real-time
pictures of enemy deployments. The IDF is improving its
intelligence and early warning capabilities. The IDF now
obtains advanced satellite information to detect missile
launches and has developed its own tactical intelligence
by using unmanned air vehicles and more sophisticated
radar. 
Israel is
constantly increasing its operational range. The Israel
Air Force is acquiring the F-15I, the world's leading
fighter aircraft, with increased range and better night
and all-weather capabilities. The newly acquired
Blackhawk helicopter is also the most advanced of its
kind, offering enhanced maneuverability and
survivability. 
The IDF is not
only a fine military force, it is also an army of the
people. Practically the entire nation serves in the IDF
and the army in turn is intimately bound with the people
of Israel. The IDF derives its raison d'etre from
the people, and provides them with the means of ensuring
their continued, secure existence in their homeland. 
almost all other
military positions are open to them. Women serve in
intelligence, operations, as instructors, technicians,
radar operators, medics and in many other areas. Recently
women have been admitted to the prestigious Israel Air
Force Flight School. 
There are many
non-Jews serving in the IDF. Most are from the Druze and
Circassian communities, who were long allied with Israel
and drafted into the IDF. Bedouins, who are the IDF's
best scouts, and a small number of Christian and Muslim
Arab volunteer to serve in the IDF. 
The history of
the IDF has been highlighted by bold missions of national
importance. These range from the 1991 Operation Solomon
airlift which brought 15,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel in
the course of a single day; to rescue and humanitarian
relief missions in Rawanda, Mexico, Argentina and
Armenia, to the legendary 1976 rescue of hostages on a
hijacked plane in Entebbe. These operations underscore
the IDF's commitment to the citizens of Israel and to the
Jewish people, wherever they may be. The Israel Defense
Forces ultimately derives its strength from the people of
Israel, with its values rooted in the tradition of the
Jewish people. It looks forward to the challenges of the
future, strengthened by the past. 
