bitachon
(Security)
A holy word in the Israeli psyche.
It’s a word that pushes aside every other matter – you only need to say, "it’s a matter of Bitachon(security)," and it is given top priority over all other issues.
In Israel, a country surrounded by enemies that continues to live by its sword since its establishment – there is no state of calm, and security is above all.
The security situation determines the economic, political, legal, social, and religious situation. The defense budget makes up a third of the state's budget, the Minister of Defense ("Minister of Bitachon") is considered the most senior of the ministers, the Ministerial Committee for National Security is the most important forum in the government, and the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee is the most important committee in the Knesset, and the people of the security establishment "serve a sacred duty" and are given appreciation and respect – whether they wear military uniforms or civilian clothes.
A security matter easily receives a gag order in court, as much budget as needed, and laws and regulations that are not challenged. Censorship exists for it alone, and the media respects the censorship orders almost always, and doesn't ask too many questions.
Security is very evident in the Israeli public space, and its clear signs are ingrained in the landscape:
Fences around Jewish communities along the borders, checkpoints at the entrance to Israel from the Palestinian Authority, security checks at the entrance to Ben Gurion Airport, IDF bases inside and outside cities, protruding antennas and satellite dishes on mountaintops, industrial zones with factories where entry is forbidden to anyone without appropriate security clearance, military planes and helicopters in the sky, a Mamad or a shelter in every Israeli home, security guards at the entrance to malls, soldiers in uniform, military vehicles, civilians carrying visible weapons.
Security has made us Israelis who we are – for 75 years.
We have gotten used to it, we have adapted to it, we breathe it, we eat it, and we don't know any other reality. And as unpleasant as it is, it’s not terrible.
And you know what?
We have managed to leverage this reality and produce some good things from it. Here, for example: Israel's security industries.
The security situation is the engine of "Military Industries" (IMI), "Israel Aerospace Industries" (IAI) and "Rafael," and many other factories in the Israeli defense industry that produce products that compete with large industries in security markets all over the world.
Israelis who are graduates of the defense establishment are considered an international brand in their fields of expertise. They serve as consultants to governments in many countries around the globe, and you can see their fingerprints in the fields of intelligence, advanced weapon development, and the tactics and strategy of security bodies. From time to time, you can hear about a reserve officer who is involved in some war taking place on a distant continent.
In the global high-tech industry, Israelis have a respectable reputation. And where did they start their careers? Usually in one of the intelligence and cyber units of the IDF, the Mossad, or the Shin Bet. What they did and what they do here and there has led to the development of famous startups and high-tech companies, so much so that some people give Israel the title: "The Startup Nation."
And most importantly:
Despite eight major wars that have taken place in Israel since its establishment, and despite dozens of military operations to which the IDF has been sent once every few years, and despite the endless terror in the streets of the cities throughout the country and in the homes of the communities near its borders and despite the sirens and sounds of explosions that have accompanied the Israeli daily life for 75 years – despite all these, Israel's economy is stable, its healthcare system is considered one of the most advanced in the world, the quality of life of its citizens is high, and it receives high scores in the international happiness index ranking.
This is life here in Israel. And anyone who wants can see in it proof that from every bad thing, something good can be produced. To take what is sour and make it sweet, or as the common expression in Israeli Hebrew says: to make lemonade out of lemons.
Bits of Information about Security in the Israeli Psyche:
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The Security Elite: The IDF, Shin Bet, the Mossad.
These are the three organizations that Israelis call: the arms of security. There is also the police, the fire department, rescue bodies, and other systems that deal with the ongoing security of citizens, but these three are ranked at the top of the security bodies that every citizen relies on more than any other and knows that without them we have no possibility of existing. -
Useful Security Words:
Konenut (Readiness/Alert) – a word that is heard frequently and puts the security forces and citizens in various areas of the country on alert, in preparation for a security incident.
Pach'a Event (Hostile Terror Activity) – an acronym for the words: hostile terror activity. Pach'a events are very common in Israel. Usually, the reference is to a terror attack, one of thousands that Israeli citizens have experienced since the establishment of the state and throughout its years and to this day.
Giyus (Conscription/Mobilization) – There is mandatory conscription for security service for every citizen who reaches the age of 18. There is mobilization for reserve duty, and there is special mobilization with a "Tzav Shmoneh" (see separate link).
Hat'ra'a (Warning/Alert) – A local or nationwide warning to citizens about the possibility of a Pach'a event.
The warning can come through a public announcement, in the media, and in extreme cases: through a siren that sends Israelis to the Mamad (link to the Mamad chapter).
Chazara La'shigra (Return to Routine): The end of the security event. At the end of the event, the security bodies announce a return to the daily routine. You can leave the Mamad, you can continue to work, sleep, eat at a restaurant, or go on a hike in nature reserves. -
An Impressive Item on a Resume: Security service.
An Israeli who submits a resume will, as a matter of course, include the role they performed in their security service. IDF service is a must. For both men and women. A senior role, like an officer in the army, adds bonus points for getting the job. And if they served in one of the important arms of security, such as the Mossad or the Shin Bet – even a junior role will give them an advantage over other candidates. -
A Sought-After Interviewee in the Media: A Bitachonist (Security Expert).
The title Bitachonist is given in the media to someone who served in a very senior role in the IDF or in one of the intelligence bodies. The security situation takes up a large portion of the media, and there is nothing like an eloquent analyst who knows how to explain what is happening around one security event or another. Usually, these are officers with the rank of Brigadier General and above, with knowledge and experience accumulated over years, and their assessments are given importance. -
A Leadership Trait: Mr. Security. Several of Israel's historical leaders have been adorned with the title: "Mr. Security," a title that was given to them, or that they gave to themselves, because of what appears to be an ability to deal with security situations, make important decisions, and manage a strategy that will give Israeli citizens ongoing security in the short and long term.
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Security Pride: Uzi submachine gun, Iron Dome.
Our security industries have brought several inventions to the world that were developed in Israel and are used all over the world. The most prominent of them: the Uzi submachine gun, and the "Iron Dome" system that can intercept missiles in the air before they land and cause damage. -
Eulogy: "He dedicated his life to the security of the state and/or the people."
This is a line in a eulogy in memory of a person who served for many years in one of the security bodies, public or secret.
Millions of Israelis have served in one of these bodies since the establishment of the state, many of them did it as a mandatory service, which was for them a chapter in their lives as part of their legal obligation. Only a few of them saw it as the ideal of their lives, and for this they receive recognition after they have passed away.
This is part of "The Israeli Story 1948-2025" project.
What is "The Israeli Story"?
A curated selection of Israeli snapshots, those that were and still are with us. Each one deserves an updated definition with a few words of explanation along with a tiny bit of history. Just a little – and all of them together go into the virtual Israeli Story that will remain online for future generations. You can see what's included in it by clicking on the icon below.
