Original scientific paper

THE IDF AND THE COVID-19 EPIDEMIC

Shaul Shay ; The International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) at the Reichman University, Herzliya, Israel *

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

The COVID-19 epidemic was a global surprise and during 2020, militaries were deployed around the world to engage in the campaign against COVID-19. These engagements took various forms. The Israel Defense Force’s experience and cooperation in large-scale national emergencies have been tested in natural disasters, security or health-related situations. The military’s engagements were instrumental as well in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic due to its resources and hierarchical discipline, especially in light of its centrality in Israel. The purpose of the article is to describe the manner and extent of the involvement of the IDF in the national fight against Corona, to examine the lessons that can be learned from this, and to answer the question of whether, even in a future crisis, the Israeli government will assign a central role in dealing with the epidemic to the IDF, or whether it would be more appropriate to strengthen the civilian bodies so that they can cope with the challenges in the future.

Keywords

COVID-19, IDF; Home front command; Directorate of Military Intelligence; Vaccination; Ministry of Health

Hrčak ID:

334096

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/334096

Publication date:

28.7.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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