Newsletters
In a strategic shift following the intelligence failures exposed by the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, Israel's Military Intelligence Directorate (AMAN) has announced mandatory Islamic and Arabic education for all officers and soldiers, regardless of their specialization.
According to reports in Israeli media, the directive was issued by AMAN chief Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, aiming to bridge what officials now recognize as a critical cultural and linguistic gap in their intelligence operations.
Under the new policy, all military intelligence personnel will undergo compulsory Islamic studies and Arabic language training, even if their specific roles are not directly tied to Middle Eastern affairs. Basic Arabic courses will be mandatory across all ranks, while long-term plans aim for fluency and a deeper understanding of Islam among officers.
A new educational division within AMAN is set to be established, focusing on structured curricula in Islam and Arabic. Even personnel responsible for processing translated intelligence will now be expected to learn the original language to enhance analytical precision.
By next year, all intelligence staff will begin Islamic education, and at least half will also receive Arabic training. The goal is for officers to speak Arabic fluently and to comprehend Islamic thought with depth within a few years.
In addition, AMAN plans to reopen the Telem Department, which was shut down six years ago due to budget cuts. The department will once again promote Middle Eastern studies in Israeli middle and high schools to foster early regional awareness and expertise.
New courses will also be launched focusing on regional dialects, including Yemeni and Iraqi Arabic, to improve the ability of AMAN personnel to understand varied sources and communications in the field.
A senior AMAN official, speaking anonymously, said: "Until now, we were not good enough in culture, language, and Islam. We need to improve ourselves in these areas. We cannot turn our soldiers into Arab children raised in a village, but we can teach them language and culture to instill skepticism and deep observation skills."
1 min read
2 min read
