The Israeli Defense Force, or the IDF, was founded after the State of Israel was established, on May 26, 1948 as directed by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. Two other Jewish underground organizations, Irgun and Lehi, agreed to join the IDF if they could form independent units. The new army organized itself and fought in the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. The IDF’s role was mainly low-intesity conflict, urban warfare, and counter-terrorism. The IDF consists of ground forces, air force, and navy, and differs from most other militaries in the world because it drafts women and because the three branches of the military are very close. The IDF has close relations with the United States military.
