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Israeli Identity in Russian Colors – IDF Mentality in 1948

Tue, December 18, 2:30 to 4:00pm, Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center, Waterfront 3 Ballroom

Abstract

The proposed paper sheds light on the Russian influence on the early Israel Defense Force (IDF) mentality (mentalité), character and identity. I am not interested here with foreign influence on the IDF’s structure or combat doctrine, but with the Red Army’s influence on the IDF’s identity as a popular army; popular both in the sense that it is based on general enlistment to national military service, and in the sense of its relatively open and less formal character. I will investigate the different channels through which the Red Army’s spirit was imported to Israel, and describe the mechanisms of influence. I will then discuss two examples of Russian influence on the Israeli military mentality.
The idea of a popular army united around a common defensive national goal and around the patriotic love of the homeland (Moledet in Hebrew, Rodina in Russian) was shared by both armies. In that sense, the IDF can be seen as a military force in the power of an idea. In order to develop among the soldiers that political consciousness (Hakara) and strengthen their standpoint as they face the enemy in the 1948 war, “Red Army like” political officers in the Palmach (nicknamed Politrukes) were appointed. Later they developed into the IDF’s education corps.
The well-known Israeli lack of respect to military etiquette is also a result of the Red army influence. In comparison to other military forces in the world, the IDF is known for its informality. Israeli officers’ uniforms are identical to the ones of common soldiers. Like in the Red Army (but Unlike other military forces that recruit and train officers separately) IDF officers must first serve as regular soldiers before moving up in the ranks. Yitzhak Sade, the Palmakh commander and one of the IDF founders described the Israeli officer as “a leader and a friend to his soldiers.”
Uncovering the red colors that colored the IDF identity and mentality helps us to better understand the cultural components and organizational mechanisms that still influence the IDF today.

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