How a collection of underground militias became a national military
The Israel Defense Forces did not emerge from a vacuum. Formed in May 1948 by order of David Ben-Gurion, the military was built by absorbing existing paramilitary groups like the Haganah, the Irgun, and the Lehi. This transition from underground resistance to a formal state army shaped its modern doctrine.
The IDF's origins are deeply rooted in the Jewish paramilitary organizations of the Yishuv. Following the 1920 Palestine riots, the Haganah was established to provide nationwide defense. During World War II, the Yishuv's military experience grew significantly as approximately 30,000 Jews joined the British Armed Forces, including the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. This influx of trained personnel provided the essential manpower and doctrine for the new state's military.
The formalization of the IDF was marked by internal tension. When David Ben-Gurion ordered the creation of the IDF on 26 May 1948, he also mandated the disbandment of all other Jewish armed forces. This led to the Altalena Affair, a standoff involving a ship carrying Irgun arms that ended when the IDF shelled the vessel. Following this, the Irgun and Lehi units were either merged into the IDF or disbanded.
Since 1967, the IDF has undergone several strategic realignments. Following the 1979 and 1994 peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan, the military shifted its focus from southern and eastern fronts toward Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. While the IDF maintains a close security and research relationship with the United States—collaborating on systems like the F-15I—its actions in the Palestinian territories have faced intense international scrutiny. Human rights organizations and UN special rapporteurs have accused the military of various abuses, including unlawful killings and, more recently, genocide.
Structurally, the IDF is a single military wing under a General Staff. The Chief of the General Staff, the only officer with the rank of Lieutenant General, reports to the Defense Minister. This command structure oversees three primary branches: the Ground Forces, the Air Force, and the Navy.
Source: Israel Defense Forces
