BASIC LAW: THE ARMY

   Passed on 31 March 1976 by the eighth Knesset. Until the basic law was passed, the constitutional and legal basis for the operation of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was to be found in the IDF Ordinance of 1948. The basic law follows that ordinance, adding instructions regarding the subordination of the military forces to the government, the status of the chief of staff, and other instructions on issues dealt with by the Agranat Commission. The basic law states that the IDF is the army of the state and deals with compulsory military service and enlistment, as well as the instructions of the army and its orders. It states that "outside the Israel Defense Forces no armed force is to be set up or maintained, except in accordance with the law."

   Among other provisions, the law provides that The Defence Army of Israel is the army of the State. . . . (a) The Army is subject to the authority of the Government. (b) The Minister in charge of the Army on behalf of the Government is the Minister of Defence. . . . (a) The supreme command level in the Army is the Chief of the General Staff. (b) The Chief of the General Staff is subject to the authority of the Government and subordinate to the Minister of Defence. (c) The Chief of the General Staff shall be appointed by the Government upon the recommendation of the Minister of Defence. . . . The duty of serving in the Army and recruitment for the Army shall be as prescribed by or by virtue of Law. . . . The power to issue instructions and orders binding in the Army shall be prescribed by or by virtue of Law. . . . No armed force other than the Defence Army of Israel shall be established or maintained except under Law.