Anticipating US Intervention in Syria, Israel, Iran, Prepare for Clash

Posted on: May 31st, 2012

"Iran is here," said Northern Command Chief Maj. Gen. Yair Golan, "its negative influence is significant in the Gaza Strip, in Lebanon and in Syria." He also warned, "al-Qaeda might attack Israel in time." Meanwhile, an Iranian official threatens that a Syrian war would "engulf" Israel.

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Maj. Gen. Turgeman: IDF Combat Soldiers Will Get Miniature Iron Dome Devices

Posted on: May 25th, 2012

Ground Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Shlomo (Sami) Turgeman this week presented the IDF future project to supply soldiers in the field with equipment capable of intercepting rockets, similar to the successful anti-rocket defense system, the Iron Dome.

The Terrorist Cell that Couldn’t Shoot Straight

Posted on: May 20th, 2012

Today's' revelation by Israel's security forces, about a Palestinian terrorist cell comprised of nine Arabs from the Ramallah area who were recently indicted on several failed abduction attempts of Israeli civilians in the Benjamin region of Judea and Samaria last March, is reminiscent of Jimmy Breslin's comic novel "The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight."

Military Intelligence Monitored ‘Google Street View’ Project in Israel

Posted on: May 17th, 2012

Israeli security authorities including the IDF Military Intelligence Formation, closely monitored the Google Street View Project, first launched in Israel just last month, giving a close look of streets in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. The inspection prevented publication of pictures revealing classified information and locations of security facilities operating in Israel.

New Poll Shows Ultra-Orthodox Increasingly Interested in Integrating

Posted on: May 15th, 2012

On the issue of ultra-Orthodox military service, 41% of those surveyed said they would be moderately or very interested in joining the Haredi IDF program, while 59% said they had either little or no interest. Still, the percentage of interest is substantially higher than the current annual rate of Haredi enlistment in the IDF.

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Prisoners’ Hunger Strike Ended, Promising a Restrained ‘Nakba Day’ Tuesday

Posted on: May 14th, 2012

On Monday night, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners agreed to end their hunger strike after winning concessions from Israel to improve their conditions, both sides announced. Earlier in the week, concern had been rising about the effect the death of one of the strikers might have on Tuesday's 'Nakba Day' protests.

IDF Intelligence Chief: Instability Changes Our Military Options

Posted on: May 10th, 2012

The regional instability has changed Israel's security outlook in a number of ways, said Chief Intelligence Officer Brigadier General Ariel Karo, most notably in recent months in the Sinai Peninsula. Moreover, he said, the nature of the IDF's enemies is not always entirely clear, with the lines between military and terrorist groups blurred.

IDF Female Shooting Instructor Prepares Men for Combat

Posted on: May 6th, 2012

Cpl. May Karen serves as a shooting instructor in the IDF Ground Forces. "I knew I wanted to become an infantry instructor even before enlisting," she says. IDF female shooting instructors go through an extensive course where they learn how to use different weapons and specialize in shooting techniques. They then teach combat infantry soldiers who will use it in battle.

A Soldier In Israel: Valley Girl Turned IAF Dog Handler

Posted on: May 2nd, 2012

JERUSALEM – Natalie says she’s been a dog lover from birth. “I had two dogs when I was younger,” she recalls, “then they mated and we ended up with six more, and we couldn’t give them away.”

IDF Soldiers Save Critically Ill Palestinian Infant

Posted on: April 25th, 2012

Last Sunday night, a Palestinian woman arrived with her 12-day-old baby girl at an IDF post in the Benjamin region of Judea and Samaria. The infant was having trouble breathing and needed immediate first aid. Commanders from the Benjamin Regional Brigade explained that Palestinians in the region know that if they have a life-threatening emergency, they can come to the IDF post for assistance.

Lone Soldiers: Valley Girl Turned IAF Dog Handler

Posted on: April 25th, 2012

Born and raised in LA, Natalie says she had everything she wanted ever since she was a little girl. "All of a sudden, my big sister, who is also my best friend, who's been taking care of me, told me she was joining this military force, to protect an entire country," she says emphatically. "It sounded completely absurd, so I came with her."

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Lone Soldiers: Atlanta-Born Aircraft Technician Says Living in Israel ‘Settled his Soul’

Posted on: April 25th, 2012

When his enlistment order had come in, his mother begged him not to go into a combat unit, and he promised to pick a different direction – even though he had been admitted into the paratroopers unit. His recruiting officer understood, and together they figured a new tract. "I've always had a dream to work on combat planes," he says.

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The IDF Honors 22,993 Fallen Soldiers

Posted on: April 25th, 2012

In a letter to IDF soldiers and commanders, the Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Gantz wrote, "Another year passed, another year of standing guard, of relentless, exuberant, hard work ensuring the security of Israeli citizens. A year passed and again we stand at Memorial Day ceremonies, by graves of fallen brothers, facing monuments with a endless and unfathomable rows of names of the fallen."

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Report: House Armed Services Committee Proposes Additional $680 Million for Iron Dome

Posted on: April 23rd, 2012

The Washington Post quoted a Republican congressional aide as saying that the House Armed Services Committee will propose the increase when it convenes next week to formulate the 2013 fiscal year's defense budget. There are currently four operational and actively deployed Iron Dome batteries in Israel, but "at least ten" are needed to defend the whole country.

Vandals Attack Historic Ammunition Hill

Posted on: April 23rd, 2012

Jerusalem’s Ammunition Hill museum and memorial were vandalized Sunday night with anti-Zionist slogans, two days before Israel’s Memorial Day.

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IDF Chief of Staff: Covert Ops, War Readiness Up

Posted on: April 23rd, 2012

Israeli Chief of Staff Major General Benny Gantz has ordered Israel Defense Force soldiers to ramp up their covert operations in enemy countries, according to an interview published in Israel’s Yediot Ahronot newspaper.

Ometz: Too Many Rabbis Talk to IDF Soldiers

Posted on: April 20th, 2012

Aryeh Avner, Chairman of the Ometz (Citizens for Proper Administration and Social and Judicial Justice) movement has complained to Israel's Defense Minister Ehud barak that "According to information reaching the Ometz movement, there has been an increase in the phenomenon where IDF soldiers are forced to listen to talks by rabbis on religious matters."

Three Torahs to be Donated by the Young Israel Movement to the IDF Between Pesach and Shavuot

Posted on: April 19th, 2012

The donated scrolls are brought to Israel from synagogues throughout the world. They are in a worn or damaged state and donors are found to repair them and rededicate them in honor or in memory of loved ones or on special occasions. Upon their arrival in Israel, the scrolls are placed in different army, navy, and air force bases according to the needs of the IDF.

IDF Witnesses in Uniform Travel to Poland to Reclaim Jewish History

Posted on: April 19th, 2012

A delegation of some 60 IDF commanders arrived in Poland on Monday, April 16, as part of the Witnesses in Uniform program. Guided by educators from the Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial Museum, the officers started a four day study of pre-war Poland, the Holocaust, and contemporary Jewish Polish life.

1 Dead, Several Injured in Stage Collapse at Har Herzl, Jerusalem

Posted on: April 18th, 2012

At least one person has been reported killed and several injured in the collapse of lighting for a stage being assembled at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem for Rememberance Day ceremonies.