Mistaravim
Encyclopedia
Mistaravimis the name given to those counter-terrorism
units of the Israel Defense Forces
in which soldiers are specifically trained to disguise themselves as Arab
s in order to kill or capture a wanted terrorist. These are also commonly known as the 'Arab Platoons'. In Tom Clancy's Op-Center: Acts of War
, it is stated that Mistaravim do not allow their real identities to become known to people outside their unit, and that even when they are undercover, they go to great lengths to avoid being recorded. They are also said to be trained in counter-detection of human or mechanical surveillance.
and one in the Israel Border Police
:
Counter-terrorism
Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...
units of the Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
in which soldiers are specifically trained to disguise themselves as Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
s in order to kill or capture a wanted terrorist. These are also commonly known as the 'Arab Platoons'. In Tom Clancy's Op-Center: Acts of War
Acts of War
Tom Clancy's Op-Center: Acts of War is a technothriller by Tom Clancy- Plot introduction :The mobile Regional Operations Center in Turkey investigates a dam blown up by Kurdish terrorists...
, it is stated that Mistaravim do not allow their real identities to become known to people outside their unit, and that even when they are undercover, they go to great lengths to avoid being recorded. They are also said to be trained in counter-detection of human or mechanical surveillance.
Training
Training for these units is about fifteen months:- Four months basic infantry training in the Mitkan Adam army base - the IDF Special Training Center.
- Two and a half months of advanced infantry training in the same base.
- Two months unit's basic training, which focus on advanced urban navigation exercises and the beginning of CT training.
- Four months Mistaravim course, which covers everything from learning the Arabs' traditions, language and their way of thought to civilian camouflage (hair dying, contact lenses, Arabs' clothing).
- One-month courses - sniper, driving and different instructors courses.
Units
Two of these units are in the Israel Defense ForcesIsrael Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
and one in the Israel Border Police
Israel Border Police
The Israel Border Police is the gendarmerie and border security branch of the Israel National Police. It is also commonly known by its Hebrew abbreviation Magav , meaning border guard, whilst its members are colloquially known as Magavnikim . Border Guard is often used as the official name of the...
:
- ShimshonSamson UnitSamson Unit, or Shimshon was a special forces unit within the Israeli Defense Forces. Named after the biblical figure who lived in the same vicinity. Shimshon unit’s modus operandi focused on under cover military operations against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip...
(Unit 367), which operated in the Gaza StripGaza Stripthumb|Gaza city skylineThe Gaza Strip lies on the Eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The Strip borders Egypt on the southwest and Israel on the south, east and north. It is about long, and between 6 and 12 kilometres wide, with a total area of...
. It was disbanded in 1994 after the Oslo peace talksOslo AccordsThe Oslo Accords, officially called the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements or Declaration of Principles , was an attempt to resolve the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli conflict...
. - DuvdevanDuvdevan UnitDuvdevan is an elite special forces unit within the Israel Defense Forces, directly subordinate to the West Bank Division and the Paratroopers Brigade. Duvdevan are particularly noted for conducting undercover operations against militants in urban areas...
(Unit 217), which operates in The West Bank. - YAMASYAMASYamas is an elite undercover special operations unit attached to the Israeli Border Police . Its existence has long been denied by the Israeli government due to the ultra secret nature of the unit, but they are arguably the most brutal and efficient counter-terror unit in the world, drawing from...
from the Israel Border PoliceIsrael Border PoliceThe Israel Border Police is the gendarmerie and border security branch of the Israel National Police. It is also commonly known by its Hebrew abbreviation Magav , meaning border guard, whilst its members are colloquially known as Magavnikim . Border Guard is often used as the official name of the...
. - Masada- An elite unit of the Israeli Prison Service who specializes in this kind of operations, among others.
- The Arab Department- a unite of the PalmachPalmachThe Palmach was the elite fighting force of the Haganah, the underground army of the Yishuv during the period of the British Mandate of Palestine. The Palmach was established on May 15, 1941...
, whose soldiers operated in such activities. - Sayeret Shaked - an elite unit of the IDFIsrael Defense ForcesThe Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
, which also operated undercover in the Gaza Strip in the 70's. - Hermesh unit- a unit of undercoverd and varied initiated activity, which operated in Judea and Sameria until 1994. The unit was then transferred to the Kfir Infantry Battalion.
External links
- Secret police unit to monitor Arab towns, by Tomer Zarchin, HaaretzHaaretzHaaretz is Israel's oldest daily newspaper. It was founded in 1918 and is now published in both Hebrew and English in Berliner format. The English edition is published and sold together with the International Herald Tribune. Both Hebrew and English editions can be read on the Internet...
, October 13, 2009