Israeli Defense Forces' Defense Doctrine - English Translation

SPECIAL REPORT: Belfer Center Translation and Annotation of IDF Strategy Document

In August 2015, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) published its first formal defense doctrine. Authored by IDF Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, the doctrine outlines the military's strategic and operational responses to the main threats facing Israel. The doctrine was published only in Hebrew.

In order to make this document accessible to the American strategic community, the Belfer Center, with permission from the Israeli government, commissioned an English translation of the strategy. Users can easily navigate the seven sections of the translation – the introduction, five chapters, and conclusion. In addition, the Belfer Center annotated the translated document to provide context for readers less familiar with the Israeli national security environment.

• The annotated web version of the translation is available here.
• A printable PDF version of the translation can be downloaded below.
• Click here to download the original Hebrew version of the document.

This defense doctrine translation is published concurrently with an op-ed by Belfer Center Director Graham Allison that outlines the core of the Israeli strategy, available here.