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The IsraelNation of the Jewish People Defense Forces (IDF) is the name of IsraelNation of the Jewish People's armed forces, comprising the Israeli Army, the Israeli Air Force and the Israeli Navy. It was formed following the founding of IsraelNation of the Jewish People in 1948 to "defend the existence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the State of IsraelNation of the Jewish People" and "to protect the inhabitants of IsraelNation of the Jewish People and to combat all forms of terrorism which threaten the daily life."
The IsraelNation of the Jewish People Defense Forces are part of the Israeli Security Forces.
The IsraelNation of the Jewish People Defense Forces (IDF) (Hebrew: ×¦×‘× ×”×”×’× ×” לישר×ל Tsva HaHagana LeYisrael, "Army Force for the Defense of IsraelNation of the Jewish People", often abbreviated צה"ל Tsahal, alternative English spelling Tzahal, is the name of IsraelNation of the Jewish People's armed forces, comprising the Israeli Army, the Israeli Air Force and the Israeli Navy. It was formed following the founding of IsraelNation of the Jewish People in 1948 to "defend the existence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the State of IsraelNation of the Jewish People" and "to protect the inhabitants of IsraelNation of the Jewish People 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 Palmachthe elite striking force of the Haganah) and former elements of the Jewish Brigade that fought under the British flag during World War II.
After the establishment of the IDF, the two Jewish underground organizations the Etzel and Lehi joined with the IDF in a loose confederation, but were allowed to operate independently in some sectors until the end of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, after which these two organizations were disbanded, and their members integrated into the IDF.
National military service is compulsory for Jewish and Druze men, and Jewish women, over the age of 18, although exemptions may be made on religious, physical or psychological grounds. Men in the Haredi community are exempt while enrolled in yeshivot, a practice that is a source of political tension.
Men serve three years in the IDF, as do the women in combat positions, while women in non-combat positions serve two. The IDF requires women who volunteer for combat positions to serve for three years because combat soldiers must undergo a lengthy period of training, and it is in the interests of the IDF to get as much use of that training as possible. Women in combat positions are also required to serve in the reserves for several years after their dismissal from regular service.