Israel Defense Forces

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (Hebrew: ??? ????? ?????? {{Audio|He-Israeli Defense Forces.ogg|Ts'va Ha-Ha'ganah Le-Yisrael}} (" Force for the Defense of Israel"), often abbreviated ??"? Tsahal, alternative English spelling Tzahal, is the name of Israel's armed forces, comprising the Israel army, Israel air force and Israel navy. It was formed following the founding of Israel in 1948 to "defend the existence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state of Israel" and "to protect the inhabitants of Israel and to combat all forms of terrorism which threaten the daily life." The predecessors to the IDF were the Haganah (in particular, its operational branch, the Palmach) and former elements of the Jewish Brigade that fought under the British flag during World War II. See also Jewish legion.

See also

Related IDF articles

• Israel Defense Forces History
• List of well-known Israeli soldiers, commanders and war heroes
• Mottos of IDF units
• List of brigades in the Israeli Defense Forces.
• Israeli Security Forces.

General related articles

• Military technology and equipment
• Arab-Israeli conflict
• Nuclear proliferation
• Refusal to serve in the Israeli military
• Profile 21 (פרופיל 21)