Thanking the IDF for Their Service

Thanking the IDF for Their Service

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), founded in 1948, is the military force of the State of Israel. It exists to defend the Jewish state, protect Israel’s citizens, and thwart the evil plans of enemies who attempt to disrupt daily life within Israel. Thus far, the IDF has successfully defended Israel from destruction in six major wars.

Every Israeli citizen is required to serve in the IDF at the age of 18, women for two years, and men for three. After completing this required service, each soldier is assigned to a reserve unit and may serve until they are 51.

The values of the IDF, instilled in each solider during every level of training, are the preservation of the State of Israel and the protection of human life. Contrary to the way the IDF is often falsely portrayed in the media, the IDF works to protect the dignity and worth of every innocent person in a conflict—even if it increases the risk to IDF soldiers.

For example, in the 2014 conflict with Gaza (and the most recent May 2021 conflict), which began as a result of Hamas’s incessant rocket fire at Israeli civilians, the IDF aimed to destroy Hamas’s terrorist infrastructure including their tunnel network. But the IDF took extraordinary efforts to protect Gazan civilians and warn them of impending strikes– including dropping leaflets in Arabic, calling Gazans, sending texts, and other efforts to avoid civilian casualties. Such extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of civilians in a combat zone are unprecedented in human history.

As Americans, we are indebted to the IDF for their selfless service in combating the same enemies which would seek to do Americans harm.