Srinagar, July 26: In response to the intelligence lapses surrounding the October 7, 2023 events, the Israeli Defence Forces have mandated Arabic language and Islamic Studies training for all soldiers and officers in their intelligence wing, according to the Jerusalem Post.
Under orders from AMAN chief Major General Shlomi Binder, the initiative aims to enhance the analytical capabilities of Israel’s Military Intelligence Directorate. By the end of next year, all AMAN personnel will be trained in Islamic Studies, while 50% will receive Arabic language instruction.
An officer told Army Radio: “Until now, we haven’t been good enough in the areas of culture, language, and Islam. We need to improve in these areas. We won’t turn our intelligence officers and soldiers into Arab kids who grew up in a village, but through language and cultural studies, we can instill in them doubt and deep observation.”
The Army Radio’s military correspondent Doron Kadosh has said that there will be a new department dedicated to Arabic and Islamic education.
The program includes specialised focus on Houthi and Iraqi dialects, after difficulties in intercepting and interpreting Houthi communications. Analysts also face challenges due to the widespread use of qat—a mild narcotic that can distort speech—in regions like Yemen.
Moreover, the IDF has also planned to reopen TELEM, a department dedicated to promote Arabic and Middle Eastern studies in Israeli middle and high schools. Earlier, the department had been closed due to budget constraints, and as a result, the country saw a sharp decline in the number of personnel studying Arabic.
