What is the primary responsibility of the Ministry of Defense of Israel?

The Ministry of Defense is responsible for defending the State of Israel from both internal and external military threats.

What is the official Hebrew name for the Ministry of Defense, and what does it literally mean in English?

The official Hebrew name for the Ministry of Defense is משרד הביטחון (Misrad HaBitahon), which literally translates to "Ministry of Security."

Where is the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense located?

The headquarters of the Ministry of Defense is located in the Matcal Tower at HaKirya in Tel Aviv.

What is the annual budget of the Ministry of Defense as stated in the provided text?

The annual budget for the Ministry of Defense is 56 billion New Shekel.

When was the Ministry of Defense established, and what historical context led to its formation?

The Ministry of Defense was established in 1948, coinciding with the end of the British Mandate of Palestine and the formation of the State of Israel. This transition marked the end of informal militia units and the establishment of formal defense for the Jewish state.

Which major Israeli security forces and industries does the Ministry of Defense oversee?

The Ministry of Defense oversees most of the Israeli security forces, including the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Military Industries (IMI), and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

What is the Hebrew title for the Minister of Defense, and how does it differ from the typical English translation?

The Hebrew title for the Minister of Defense is שר הביטחון (Sar HaBitahon), which literally translates to "Minister of Security." In Hebrew, defense ministers of other countries are more commonly referred to as "Sar HaHagana" (Minister of Defense).

How is the position of the Minister of Defense ranked within the Israeli cabinet?

The position of the Minister of Defense is considered the second most important in the Israeli cabinet.

What is the significance of the Minister of Defense's role in the Security Cabinet of Israel?

The defense minister is a permanent member of the Security Cabinet of Israel.

What is notable about the number of Israeli Prime Ministers who have also served as Minister of Defense?

Historically, prime ministers have frequently held the position of defense minister concurrently, with eight out of the twenty defense ministers to date also serving as prime minister.

How many Ministers of Defense have previously held the position of Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces?

Six individuals who served as Minister of Defense were also former Chiefs of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces: Moshe Dayan, Yitzhak Rabin, Ehud Barak, Shaul Mofaz, Moshe Ya'alon, and Benny Gantz.

What specific power does the text mention that defense ministers can exercise?

Defense ministers have the authority to request administrative detention.

What is a common source of tension or disagreement related to the role of the defense minister?

Frequent disagreements arise between the defense minister and the chief of staff due to the intensive nature of the work and the inherent tension between the political and military echelons.

Who was the first individual to serve as Minister of Defense, and during which governments did they serve?

David Ben-Gurion was the first Minister of Defense, serving from May 14, 1948, to January 26, 1954, during the Provisional Government and the First through Fourth governments.

Which minister served as both Prime Minister and Minister of Defense for the longest continuous period, and in which governments?

David Ben-Gurion served as both Prime Minister and Minister of Defense from February 21, 1955, to June 26, 1963, covering the Fifth through Tenth governments, representing the longest continuous tenure in both roles.

Who was the first Minister of Defense from the Likud party, and in which government did they serve?

Ezer Weizman was the first Minister of Defense from the Likud party, serving in the Eighteenth government from June 20, 1977, to May 28, 1980.

Who was the first Minister of Defense who had previously served as Chief of Staff of the IDF?

Moshe Dayan was the first Minister of Defense who had previously served as Chief of Staff of the IDF, taking office on June 5, 1967.

Which minister served as Minister of Defense during the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth governments of Israel?

Shimon Peres served as Minister of Defense during the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth governments, from November 4, 1995, to June 18, 1996.

Who was the Minister of Defense when Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated, and who succeeded him in that role?

Yitzhak Rabin was serving as Minister of Defense when he was assassinated on November 4, 1995. Shimon Peres succeeded him, serving from November 4, 1995, to June 18, 1996.

Which minister served as Minister of Defense for the shortest term listed in the table, excluding acting roles?

Naftali Bennett served the shortest term as Minister of Defense, from November 8, 2019, to May 17, 2020.

Who is the current Minister of Defense as of the information provided in the table?

As of the provided table, Israel Katz is the current Minister of Defense, serving since November 5, 2024.

Which ministers served as acting defense minister in addition to their primary role?

Benjamin Netanyahu served as acting Minister of Defense from May 22, 2016, to May 30, 2016, during the Thirty-fourth government.

Who were the ministers of defense during the Thirty-fourth government of Israel?

During the Thirty-fourth government, Avigdor Lieberman served as Minister of Defense from May 30, 2016, to November 18, 2018. Benjamin Netanyahu served as acting minister from May 22, 2016, to May 30, 2016. Naftali Bennett served from November 8, 2019, to May 17, 2020.

Who was the first Deputy Minister of Defense listed, and during which governments did they serve?

Shimon Peres was the first Deputy Minister of Defense, serving during the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Twelfth governments from December 21, 1959, to May 25, 1965.

Which Deputy Minister of Defense later went on to serve as Minister of Defense?

Shimon Peres served as Deputy Minister of Defense and later held the position of Minister of Defense.

Who served as Deputy Minister of Defense for the longest period according to the table?

Shimon Peres served as Deputy Minister of Defense for the longest period, from December 21, 1959, to May 25, 1965.

Which minister served as Deputy Minister of Defense for the Likud party during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth governments?

Mordechai Tzipori served as Deputy Minister of Defense for the Likud party during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth governments, from June 28, 1977, to October 10, 1983.

Who was the Deputy Minister of Defense from the Labor Party during the Twenty-fifth government?

Mordechai Gur served as Deputy Minister of Defense for the Labor Party during the Twenty-fifth government, from August 4, 1992, to July 16, 1995.

Who is the most recent Deputy Minister of Defense listed in the table, and what is their party affiliation?

Alon Schuster is the most recent Deputy Minister of Defense listed, affiliated with the Blue and White party, serving from June 28, 2021, to December 29, 2022.

Who was the first Director General of the Ministry of Defense?

Levi Eshkol was the first Director General of the Ministry of Defense, serving in 1948.

Which individual served as both acting and permanent Director General of the Ministry of Defense?

Shimon Peres served as both acting Director General in 1952 and as permanent Director General from 1953 to 1959.

Who served as Director General of the Ministry of Defense for the longest period?

Shimon Peres served as Director General for the longest period, from 1952 to 1959, encompassing both his acting and permanent tenures.

Who was the Director General of the Ministry of Defense from 1986 to 1996?

David Ivry served as Director General of the Ministry of Defense from 1986 to 1996.

Who is the most recent Director General listed in the table, and what is their term?

Eyal Zamir is the most recent Director General listed, serving from 2023 to 2025.

Who served as acting Director General in 2025?

Itamar Graff served as acting Director General in 2025.

What is the role of the Home Front Defense Ministry within the Ministry of Defense structure?

The Home Front Defense Ministry is part of the Ministry of Defense's structure and is headed by the deputy defense minister.

What is the function of the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (Matpash)?

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, known by the acronym Matpash, is a unit within the Ministry of Defense.

What is the Hebrew acronym for the International Defense Cooperation Directorate?

The Hebrew acronym for the International Defense Cooperation Directorate is Sibat.

What is the purpose of the Department of Defense Export Control (Api)?

The Department of Defense Export Control, known as Api, is responsible for managing and controlling defense exports.

What is the role of the Ombudsman for Soldiers within the Ministry of Defense?

The Ombudsman for Soldiers, known as Nakhal, is a department within the Ministry of Defense that addresses issues related to soldiers.

What does the 'Politics of Israel' sidebar indicate about the Ministry of Defense's place in the government structure?

The 'Politics of Israel' sidebar lists the Ministry of Defense as one of the key portfolios within the Israeli Cabinet.

What does the navbox for 'Israeli defense ministers' provide a list of?

The navbox provides a chronological list of individuals who have served as Defense ministers of Israel, along with their terms and party affiliations.

What does the navbox for 'Israeli Cabinet portfolios' show regarding the Ministry of Defense?

The navbox lists the Ministry of Defense as one of the active portfolios within the Israeli Cabinet.

Which government was headed by Yitzhak Shamir when Moshe Arens served as Minister of Defense for the second time?

Moshe Arens served as Minister of Defense during the Twenty-fourth government, which was headed by Yitzhak Shamir, from June 11, 1990, to July 13, 1992.

Who was the Minister of Defense when the Twenty-ninth government of Israel was formed, and who succeeded them?

Binyamin Ben-Eliezer was the Minister of Defense when the Twenty-ninth government was formed (March 7, 2001), and he was succeeded by Shaul Mofaz on November 4, 2002.

What is the significance of the Matcal Tower mentioned in relation to the Ministry of Defense?

The Matcal Tower, located in HaKirya, Tel Aviv, serves as the headquarters for the Ministry of Defense.

What does the Hebrew term 'Misrad HaBitahon' literally translate to in English, and what is the common English title for the ministry?

The Hebrew term 'Misrad HaBitahon' literally translates to 'Ministry of Security,' while the common English title for the ministry is 'Ministry of Defense.'

Which party colors are associated with the Likud party in the list of ministers?

The Likud party is associated with the color #1f5aa5 in the list of ministers.

Which party colors are associated with the Labor Party and its predecessors (Mapai, Alignment) in the list of ministers?

The Labor Party and its predecessors, Mapai and Alignment, are associated with the color #EE1C25 in the list of ministers.

Who was the Minister of Defense during the Thirty-fifth and Thirty-sixth governments of Israel?

Benny Gantz served as Minister of Defense during the Thirty-fifth and Thirty-sixth governments of Israel, from May 17, 2020, to December 29, 2022.

Ministry Of Defense Israel Wiki: Israel's Shield: A Deep Dive into the Ministry of Defense

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Ministry Overview

Governmental Responsibility

The Ministry of Defense is the governmental department within the administration of Israel responsible for overseeing the defense of the State of Israel against both internal and external military threats. It is a critical component of the nation's security apparatus.

Headquarters and Location

The ministry's primary offices are situated in the Matcal Tower, located within HaKirya, a major military and governmental complex in Tel Aviv. This central location underscores its operational significance.

Historical Formation

Established in 1948, the Ministry of Defense was formed concurrently with the establishment of the State of Israel, marking the transition from informal militia units during the British Mandate period to a formal, centralized defense structure for the nascent Jewish state.

Ministerial Leadership

The Defense Minister

The political head of the Ministry of Defense is the Defense Minister of Israel. This position is widely regarded as the second most influential role within the Israeli cabinet. The minister is supported by a deputy minister and serves as a permanent member of the Security Cabinet, playing a pivotal role in national security decision-making.

Prime Ministers as Defense Ministers

Given the portfolio's paramount importance, several Israeli Prime Ministers have concurrently held the position of Defense Minister. Historically, eight individuals have served in both capacities, reflecting the deep integration of defense policy with the nation's leadership.

Military Leadership Background

A notable trend among Defense Ministers is their prior experience as Chiefs of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Six ministers have held this top military position before assuming the ministerial role, bringing extensive operational and strategic experience to the ministry.

Historical Context

Evolution of the Ministry

The Ministry of Defense was established in 1948, following the conclusion of the British Mandate for Palestine and the subsequent formation of the State of Israel. This foundational period saw the consolidation of various defense-related entities under a single governmental body, formalizing the nation's security structure.

Administrative Detention Powers

Among the responsibilities vested in the Defense Minister is the authority to request administrative detention orders. This power highlights the ministry's role in internal security matters, alongside its primary focus on external defense.

List of Ministers

Ministerial Tenure

The following table details the individuals who have served as Minister of Defense, their political affiliations, the governments they served in, and their terms of office.

#	Minister	Party	Governments	Term start	Term end	Notes
1	David Ben-Gurion	Mapai	P, 1, 2, 3, 4	14 May 1948	26 January 1954	Serving Prime Minister
2	Pinhas Lavon	Mapai	5	26 January 1954	21 February 1955
–	David Ben-Gurion	Mapai	5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10	21 February 1955	26 June 1963	Serving Prime Minister
3	Levi Eshkol	Mapai, Alignment	11, 12, 13	26 June 1963	5 June 1967	Serving Prime Minister
4	Moshe Dayan	Rafi, Labor Party, Alignment	13, 14, 15, 16	5 June 1967	3 June 1974
5	Shimon Peres	Alignment	17	3 June 1974	20 June 1977
6	Ezer Weizman	Likud	18	20 June 1977	28 May 1980
7	Menachem Begin	Likud	18	28 May 1980	5 August 1981	Serving Prime Minister
8	Ariel Sharon	Likud	19	5 August 1981	14 February 1983
–	Menachem Begin	Likud	19	14 February 1983	23 February 1983	Serving Prime Minister
9	Moshe Arens	Likud	19, 20	23 February 1983	13 September 1984
10	Yitzhak Rabin	Alignment	21, 22, 23	13 September 1984	15 March 1990
11	Yitzhak Shamir	Likud	23	15 March 1990	11 June 1990	Serving Prime Minister
–	Moshe Arens	Likud	24	11 June 1990	13 July 1992
–	Yitzhak Rabin	Labor Party	25	13 July 1992	4 November 1995	Serving Prime Minister, assassinated
–	Shimon Peres	Labor Party	25, 26	4 November 1995	18 June 1996	Serving Prime Minister
12	Yitzhak Mordechai	Likud	27	18 June 1996	25 January 1999
–	Moshe Arens	Likud	27	27 January 1999	6 July 1999
13	Ehud Barak	One Israel	28	6 July 1999	7 March 2001	Serving Prime Minister
14	Binyamin Ben-Eliezer	Labor Party	29	7 March 2001	2 November 2002
15	Shaul Mofaz	Likud	29, 30	4 November 2002	4 May 2006	Not an MK at start of term in office
16	Amir Peretz	Labor Party	31	4 May 2006	18 June 2007
–	Ehud Barak	Labor Party, Independence	31, 32	18 June 2007	18 March 2013	Not an MK at start of term in office
17	Moshe Ya'alon	Likud	33, 34	18 March 2013	22 May 2016
–	Benjamin Netanyahu	Likud	34	22 May 2016	30 May 2016	Serving Prime Minister, Acting minister
18	Avigdor Lieberman	Yisrael Beiteinu	34	30 May 2016	18 November 2018
19	Benjamin Netanyahu	Likud	34	18 November 2018	8 November 2019	Serving Prime Minister
20	Naftali Bennett	New Right	34	8 November 2019	17 May 2020
21	Benny Gantz	Blue and White	35, 36	17 May 2020	29 December 2022	Serving Alternate Prime Minister
22	Yoav Gallant	Likud	37	29 December 2022	5 November 2024
23	Israel Katz	Likud	37	5 November 2024

Deputy Ministerial Roles

Supporting the Minister

Deputy Ministers provide crucial support to the Minister of Defense, often overseeing specific areas of responsibility within the ministry. Their roles are vital for the efficient functioning of the department.

#	Minister	Party	Governments	Term start	Term end
1	Shimon Peres	Mapai	9, 10, 11, 12	21 December 1959	25 May 1965
2	Zvi Dinstein	Alignment	13	17 January 1966	5 June 1967
3	Mordechai Tzipori	Likud	18, 19	28 June 1977	10 October 1983
4	Michael Dekel	Likud	21, 22	3 December 1985	21 November 1988
5	Ovadia Eli	Likud	24	8 July 1991	13 July 1992
6	Mordechai Gur	Labor Party	25	4 August 1992	16 July 1995
7	Ori Orr	Labor Party	26	27 November 1995	18 June 1996
8	Silvan Shalom	Likud	27	9 July 1997	6 July 1999
9	Efraim Sneh	One Israel	28	5 August 1999	7 March 2001
10	Dalia Rabin-Pelossof	Labor Party	29	7 March 2001	1 August 2002
11	Weizman Shiry	Labor Party	29	12 August 2002	2 November 2002
12	Ze'ev Boim	Likud, Kadima	30	5 March 2003	18 January 2006
–	Efraim Sneh	Labor Party	31	30 October 2006	18 June 2007
13	Matan Vilnai	Labor Party	31, 32	2 July 2007	18 January 2011
14	Danny Danon	Likud	33	18 March 2013	15 July 2014
15	Eli Ben-Dahan	The Jewish Home	34	19 May 2015	3 October 2019
16	Alon Schuster	Blue and White	36	28 June 2021	29 December 2022

Organizational Structure

Key Directorates and Branches

The Ministry of Defense encompasses a complex structure of directorates and branches responsible for various facets of national security and defense management. These include:

Home Front Defense Ministry (under the Deputy Defense Minister)
Israeli National Emergency Authority (Rahel)
Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure (Maf'at)
Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (Matpash)
Director of Security of the Defense Establishment (Malmab)
Defense Establishment Comptroller Unit
Defense Political Branch (Abtam)
International Defense Cooperation Directorate (Sibat)
Computer and Management Information Systems (Malam) – Data Processing Center
Logistics Operations and Properties Branch (Emun)
Defense Social Branch
Department of Defense Export Control (Api)
Tank Program Directorate
Procurement and Production Directorate (Manhar)
Emergency Management (Melakh)
Ombudsman for Soldiers (Nakhal)
Fund and Unit for Discharged Soldiers
Department of Families and Remembrance
Disabled Rehabilitation Division

Oversight of Security Forces

The Ministry holds significant oversight over the majority of Israel's security forces. This includes direct management and strategic direction of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Military Industries (IMI), and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), ensuring cohesive and effective national defense capabilities.

Core Functions and Mandates

National Defense Mandate

The primary mandate of the Ministry of Defense is to safeguard the State of Israel against all forms of military threats, whether external aggressions or internal security challenges. This involves strategic planning, resource allocation, and operational oversight.

Technological Development

Through entities like the Administration for the Development of Weapons and Technological Infrastructure (Maf'at), the ministry is deeply involved in research, development, and procurement of advanced defense technologies, maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge.

International Cooperation

The International Defense Cooperation Directorate (Sibat) facilitates defense exports and international defense relations, managing Israel's defense trade and strategic partnerships worldwide.

Financial Allocation

Annual Budgetary Overview

The Ministry of Defense operates with a substantial annual budget, reflecting the significant investment in national security. The reported budget is 56 billion New Israeli Shekels, underscoring the scale of its operations and responsibilities.

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Ministry of Defense (Israel) Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding defense policy, national security, or governmental affairs. Always refer to official government sources and consult with qualified experts for specific needs.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

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Ministry Overview ℹ️

🏛️ Governmental Responsibility

📍 Headquarters and Location

📜 Historical Formation

Ministerial Leadership 🧑‍💼

👑 The Defense Minister

🤝 Prime Ministers as Defense Ministers

🎖️ Military Leadership Background

Historical Context ⏳

📅 Evolution of the Ministry

⚖️ Administrative Detention Powers

List of Ministers 📋

📜 Ministerial Tenure

Deputy Ministerial Roles 👥

⚖️ Supporting the Minister

Organizational Structure 🏗️

🔗 Key Directorates and Branches

🛡️ Oversight of Security Forces

Core Functions and Mandates 🎯

🛡️ National Defense Mandate

🔬 Technological Development

🌐 International Cooperation

Financial Allocation 💰

📊 Annual Budgetary Overview

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Ministry Overview

Governmental Responsibility

Headquarters and Location

Historical Formation

Ministerial Leadership

The Defense Minister

Prime Ministers as Defense Ministers

Military Leadership Background

Historical Context

Evolution of the Ministry

Administrative Detention Powers

List of Ministers

Ministerial Tenure

Deputy Ministerial Roles

Supporting the Minister

Organizational Structure

Key Directorates and Branches

Oversight of Security Forces

Core Functions and Mandates

National Defense Mandate

Technological Development

International Cooperation

Financial Allocation

Annual Budgetary Overview

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice