Welcome to the Forward’s coverage of the Israel Defense Forces, the combined military forces of Israel.
IDF
The Latest
-
Breaking News Gadi Eisenkot Approved as Next IDF Chief of Staff
Maj.-Gen. Gadi Eisenkot was approved as the Israel Defense Forces’ next chief of staff. Israel’s Cabinet approved Eisenkot’s appointment on Sunday during its regular meeting. “Gadi Eisenkot is the right man in the right place at the right time,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of the meeting. “Gadi has been a soldier…
-
Breaking News IDF Opens Criminal Investigations Into Gaza Operation Killings
The Israel Defense Forces has opened criminal investigations into eight deadly incidents that occurred during its 50-day Gaza operation. The investigations, announced Saturday night by the IDF Magistrate Advocate General, involve the deaths of 30 Gazan Palestinians, including 27, believed to be mostly civilians, killed in a July 20 air strike on the home of…
-
The Schmooze Bibi’s Youngest Son Joins the IDF
Benjamin Netanyahu, Sara Netanyahu with sons Avner and Yair on election day in 2013 // Getty Images Avner Netanyahu waved goodbye to mommy and daddy Netanyahu on Monday, as he began his military service in the Israel Defense Forces. Proud papa Bibi was there to see his youngest son off, along with wife Sarah and…
-
Israel News Israel’s Lone Soldier Center Severs Ties With Rabbi George Finkelstein
The Lone Soldier Center, which looks after isolated young people serving in the Israel Defense Forces, has severed ties with a rabbi accused of inappropriate behavior with boys and young men. The center acted weeks after the Forward began making inquiries about Rabbi George Finkelstein’s involvement with the group. In an email to a Lone…
-
Opinion Is Bibi Stalling Pick of IDF Chief to Promote Rightist?
More mystery and intrigue in the senior ranks of the Israel Defense Forces: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reported (Maariv, Haaretz) to be stalling the nomination of Israel’s next military chief of staff. His reasons are a topic of hot speculation, though the facts seem to speak for themselves. By law the nomination of a…
-
Opinion 3 Ex-Security Chiefs Slam Bibi for Caving to Right
Three of Israel’s most senior ex-defense officials came out last week, almost simultaneously, with blistering attacks on the security policies of the Netanyahu coalition. Appearing in separate forums, the three — former Mossad director Shabtai Shavit, former Shin Bet director Yuval Diskin and former IDF chief of staff Gabi Ashkenazi — each charged that the…
-
Breaking News Palestinian Man Approaching Gaza Fence Shot by IDF Troops
Israeli troops shot a Palestinian man in northern Gaza, killing him, Palestinian officials said. It is the first Gazan Palestinian to be killed by Israeli bullets since the Israel’s 50-day operation in Gaza last summer. Fadil Muhammad Halawah, 32, was hunting birds Sunday in the northern Gaza Strip when he was shot, the Palestinian Maan…
-
Breaking News Clashes in West Bank Leave Several Injured
Several people were injured in clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops in the West Bank. Israeli soldiers fired crowd dispersal means at demonstrators near the Qalandiya checkpoint, hitting a Palestinian youth in the foot, the Ma’an news agency reported. An Israeli army spokeswoman said at least 80 Palestinians hurled rocks and Molotov cocktails at…
Most Popular
- 1
Fast Forward Why neo-Nazis marched in Ohio this weekend, and almost every weekend in the US
- 2
Opinion The group behind Project 2025 has a plan to protect Jews. It will do the opposite.
- 3
Opinion Just about every interpretation of Trump’s narrow election victory is wrong
- 4
News Texas schools want to add Queen Esther to the curriculum. Here’s why Jews (and many Christians) are opposed.
In Case You Missed It
-
Opinion Despair is not a strategy. Here are 4 things those mourning the election results can do right now.
-
Fast Forward Jared Kushner donates $1 million to Chabad of United Arab Emirates after rabbi murdered
-
Fast Forward Far-right politician who praised Nazi collaborators shocks with top finish in Romanian presidential election
-
News For Israelis still displaced from their homes, reclaiming the kitchen can be an act of hope
-
Shop the Forward Store
100% of profits support our journalism