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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
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Israel
Index
Figure 14. Organization of National Defense, 1988
The IDF had no commander in chief designated as such. The Basic
Law: The Army, 1976, vested command in the government. In fact, the
minister of defense acted as the highest authority over the IDF and
was its link to civilian political authorities. The minister of
defense was a civilian (although usually a retired military
officer). The cabinet was required to give prior approval to major
military policies and operations. Under normal circumstances, the
standing Foreign Affairs and Security Committee of the cabinet
exercised this responsibility. The invasion of Lebanon in 1982
demonstrated, however, that a domineering minister of defense
could, by misleading the cabinet or withholding information, act
contrary to the government's wishes. Periodic reports on the status
of the military were provided to the Israeli parliament, the
Knesset, through its Foreign Affairs and National Security
Committee and on budgetary matters through the Finance Committee.
The highest ranking IDF officer, the only officer to hold the
rank of lieutenant general, was the chief of staff, who was
chairman of the general staff and was responsible to the minister
of defense. The general staff was in charge of "professional"
matters, such as organization, training, and the planning and
execution of military operations. The chief of staff in late 1988,
Lieutenant General Dan Shomron, had held the position since April
1987. He was appointed by the minister of defense for a term that
was nominally three years but that could be shortened or extended.
Within the Ministry of Defense, the senior civilian officer beneath
the minister was the director general, who supervised defense
production, infrastructure, the budget, and other administrative
and technical matters. As the supreme commander of the IDF,
however, the minister of defense could intervene in all IDF matters
(see
fig. 14).
The general staff had as its members the chief of general staff
branch (operations), the chiefs of manpower, logistics, and
intelligence; the three area commanders; and the commanding
officers of the air force, navy, and ground corps. The ground corps
commander was responsible for training, doctrine, and development
of equipment for the four combat corps of paratroop/infantry,
armor, artillery, and engineers. Operational control of the ground
forces went through a separate chain of command from the chief of
staff directly to the three area commanders--Northern (forces
facing Syria and Lebanon); Central (forces facing Jordan); and
Southern (forces facing Egypt)--who in turn exercised command over
divisions and brigades.
The navy and air force were not, nor had ever been, designated
as separate services. Officially known as the Sea Corps (Hel Yam)
and the Air Corps (Hel Avir), the navy and air force, however,
enjoyed more autonomy within the IDF structure than their official
designations would suggest. Their commanders had the status of
senior advisers to the chief of staff. Along with the ground force
area commanders, the commanders of the air force and navy held
two-star rank.
Data as of December 1988
Command Structure
Figure 14. Organization of National Defense, 1988
The IDF had no commander in chief designated as such. The Basic
Law: The Army, 1976, vested command in the government. In fact, the
minister of defense acted as the highest authority over the IDF and
was its link to civilian political authorities. The minister of
defense was a civilian (although usually a retired military
officer). The cabinet was required to give prior approval to major
military policies and operations. Under normal circumstances, the
standing Foreign Affairs and Security Committee of the cabinet
exercised this responsibility. The invasion of Lebanon in 1982
demonstrated, however, that a domineering minister of defense
could, by misleading the cabinet or withholding information, act
contrary to the government's wishes. Periodic reports on the status
of the military were provided to the Israeli parliament, the
Knesset, through its Foreign Affairs and National Security
Committee and on budgetary matters through the Finance Committee.
The highest ranking IDF officer, the only officer to hold the
rank of lieutenant general, was the chief of staff, who was
chairman of the general staff and was responsible to the minister
of defense. The general staff was in charge of "professional"
matters, such as organization, training, and the planning and
execution of military operations. The chief of staff in late 1988,
Lieutenant General Dan Shomron, had held the position since April
1987. He was appointed by the minister of defense for a term that
was nominally three years but that could be shortened or extended.
Within the Ministry of Defense, the senior civilian officer beneath
the minister was the director general, who supervised defense
production, infrastructure, the budget, and other administrative
and technical matters. As the supreme commander of the IDF,
however, the minister of defense could intervene in all IDF matters
(see
fig. 14).
The general staff had as its members the chief of general staff
branch (operations), the chiefs of manpower, logistics, and
intelligence; the three area commanders; and the commanding
officers of the air force, navy, and ground corps. The ground corps
commander was responsible for training, doctrine, and development
of equipment for the four combat corps of paratroop/infantry,
armor, artillery, and engineers. Operational control of the ground
forces went through a separate chain of command from the chief of
staff directly to the three area commanders--Northern (forces
facing Syria and Lebanon); Central (forces facing Jordan); and
Southern (forces facing Egypt)--who in turn exercised command over
divisions and brigades.
The navy and air force were not, nor had ever been, designated
as separate services. Officially known as the Sea Corps (Hel Yam)
and the Air Corps (Hel Avir), the navy and air force, however,
enjoyed more autonomy within the IDF structure than their official
designations would suggest. Their commanders had the status of
senior advisers to the chief of staff. Along with the ground force
area commanders, the commanders of the air force and navy held
two-star rank.
Data as of December 1988
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