{"id":7240,"date":"2022-08-17T18:12:40","date_gmt":"2022-08-17T18:12:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=7240"},"modified":"2022-08-17T18:12:40","modified_gmt":"2022-08-17T18:12:40","slug":"idf-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/idf-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"IDF \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you watching a reporter talk about the \u2018IDF<\/em>\u2019 on international news? What is the IDF? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this acronym.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The acronym \u2018IDF<\/em>\u2019 stands for the \u2018Israeli Defense Force<\/em>.\u2019 \u05e6\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u05b2\u05d2\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05c2\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc Tsva ha-Hagana le-Yisra'el, lit. The IDF is the national defense force of Israel, referred to as the Hebrew acronym \u2018Tzahal<\/em>\u2019 (\u05e6\u05d4\u05f4\u05dc). The IDF has three branches: the Israeli Air Force, Israeli Ground Force, and the Israeli Navy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The IDF is the military wing of the Israeli security state, and it operates without civilian jurisdiction within Israeli borders. The Chief of the General Staff acts as the head of the IDF, and he answers to the Israeli Defense Minister.<\/p>\n

The international community has intensely scrutinized the IDF for its actions in the West Bank of Gaza. Many organizations believe the IDF enforces Israel\u2019s brutal \u2018apartheid\u2019 state, forcing the Palestinian people from their holy land.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cI watched the IDF launch a special military operation in the West Bank. Their training is amazing, and I\u2019m not surprised they rarely take casualties on these operations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe IDF is one of the best-trained military forces in the world. Soldiers in the IDF are experts in Krav Maga, knife fighting, weapons, and special operations tactics.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe IDF is the leading expert in CQB tactics, and they have some of the best operatives in the world. They are the best if you want to train with firearms and learn how to secure a room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe skillset of the IDF is outstanding. I wish our military was as well-trained and badass as the IDF.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The \u2018IDF\u2019 originated from Jewish paramilitary organizations. The Bar-Giora, founded in 1907, transformed into the \u2018Hashomer\u2019 in 1909, operating under the \u2018British Mandate of Palestine\u2019 in 1920. Originally, Hashomer was formed to protect the public against criminal gangs.<\/p>\n

After the 1920 Palestinian riots against Israelis, the Yishuv leadership formed the \u2018Haganah.\u2019 This group became the first rendition of the IDF after the Palestinian Arab revolt in 1936, lasting until 1939. The organization consisted of three groups, the Guard Corps, Field Corps, and the Palmach.<\/p>\n

During WWII, the Yishuv leadership integrated the Haganah into the British war effort, forming \u2018The Jewish Brigade.\u2019 The Jewish Brigade would go on to form the backbone of the IDF.<\/p>\n