The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is set to implement reforms to address intelligence gaps in its training, following failures that led to Hamas’ surprise attack on October 7, 2023.
Head of the IDF Intelligence Directorate Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder has ordered the integration of Islamic culture and Arabic language courses from pre-enlistment to advanced officer instruction, aiming to equip personnel, soldiers, and future commanders with proficiency.
All Intelligence Directorate members will receive Islamic studies training, and half will undergo Arabic language training by next year, according to Jewish news outlet JNS.
Houthi and Iraqi Arabic dialects will receive particular focus to enhance communication and intelligence gathering in those regions, and the IDF has recruited teachers with relevant backgrounds as instructors.
Arabic education is set to make a comeback through the reactivation of the Tel-M section, which closed six years ago due to budget cuts. It promoted Arabic and Middle Eastern studies in Israeli schools, and will now be revived under Unit 8200, the IDF’s Israeli Intelligence Corps unit.
“We cannot turn the soldiers and officers of the Intelligence Division into Arab children who grew up in the village, but through studying the language and culture, we can instill in them doubt and deep observation,” a senior intelligence officer informed Army Radio military correspondent Doron Kadosh.
