The (ISF) are several organizations collectively responsible for Israel 's security. The organizations are independent but cooperate with each other. The list includes military, government agencies, law enforcement organizations and public officials as well as voluntary first aid organization, operated by civilians, and assisted by the State Of Israel .
Israeli citizens upon reaching age 18 are required to serve three years if they are male, and two years if they are females, in the military service. Religious girls often do an alternative service (Sheirut Leumi). Many religious boys enter the Hesder program, allowing them to in continue their Torah studies - serving 1 1/2 years in the IDF on active duty, and learning for 2 1/2 years in a Yeshiva . Israeli Arab s are not required to serve in the military, though Israeli Druze and Circassian males are drafted, and some groups of Bedouins and other Arabs also volunteer for service.
- '''. The IDF operates air, ground and naval forces in order to protect Israel against foreign armies and Terrorists . The IDF elite units are called Sayeret . The most famous Sayeret units are Sayeret Matkal and Shayetet-13 .
- --- The Intelligence Branch ('' Aman '').
- --- Infantry brigades ( Paratroopers Brigade , Golani Brigade , Givati Brigade , Nahal Brigade , Mech. Infantry)
- --- Armored corps and Artillery corps,
- --- The Israeli Engineering Corps
- --- The Israeli Air Force
- --- The Israeli Navy
- --- ('' Full List '')
- : a civilian force. As most other police forces in the world, their duties include crime fighting, traffic control and maintaining public safety.
- --- ''' and in the countryside. They are also deployed on the borders of Israel. YAMAM is the elite civilian Counter Terrorism unit of Israel.
- --- ''' organization of Citizen s which assists in daily police work. Members are trained to provide the initial response to a security situation until the police arrive. MASHAZ volunteers are armed with M4 Carbine and personal handguns. The MASHAZ also have special units, but their members require additional training and a higher level of commitment.
- : the SHABAS is responsible for guarding Israeli prisons and making sure that the prisoners do not escape. The SHABAS elite unit is called "Metzada" and is specialized for hostage situations inside prisons.
- ''', and to pinpoint terrorist cells and prevent them from causing damage. Shin-Bet activities are classified.
- ''' collection, Covert Action (including paramilitary activities and assassinations) and Counter-terrorism . Its focus is on Arab nations and organizations throughout the world.
- : a special reserves unit for counter-terrorism which is based in Eilat .
- : public officials trained in combat and able to handle terrorist threats. The KABATs, besides supplying an initial response to threats, are experts in security issues. When they are deployed in a small town or village, they are responsible for that town or village's defense.
- ''' organization responsible for Emergency Medical , disaster, Ambulance and Blood Bank services. The name means "Red Star of David."
- : Israeli firefighters. They are responsible for extinguishing fires and extracting people trapped in structures (ranging from stuck elevators to collapsed buildings).
- : a military rescue team which handles large-scale civilian disasters such as Earthquake s, collapsed buildings and missile attacks on cities.
- ''''' Jew s who assume the duty of collecting human remains following a disaster, to provide those remains a proper Jewish Burial . ZAKA has gained much positive publicity for its efforts in handling remains of victims of Suicide Bombing s. Their founder, Yehuda Meshi Zahav , was honored by being asked to light a beacon during the celebration of Israel's Independence Day . In addition to recovering body parts, ZAKA also provides First Aid services and assists in searching for missing people.
- : A rescue team on each of the Galil , the Golan Heights and the Negev rescues lost travelers and tourists.
The ISF are viewed by most experts as one of the best in their fields, especially in Counter-terrorism . Many of the world's security experts, as well as inventors of security technology, are Israelis who trained and served many years in the ISF. The ISF works within tight budgets and is known for creativity and innovation in resolving difficult situations. Some Israeli SF units such as Sayeret Matkal , Shayetet 13 (naval commando) and the YAMAM are considered to be among the best special forces units in the world.
Other observers criticize the ISF for alleged brutality, human rights violations, racism and sexism. Some reports state that the ISF oppresses Palestinians with executions, beatings and prison without trial. Others complain that the dreary desk jobs Israeli women have in the ISF continue in Israeli society.
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