Continuity and Change in the Social Background of Israel’s Military Elite

This article discusses markers of continuity and change in the social background of Israel’s military elite from the establishment of the State of Israel and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in 1948 until the present. This is done by analyzing an original database that we have created, which includes details on the social background of all 213 officers who were promoted to the ranks of major general (Aluf) and lieutenant general (Rav Aluf) — the two highest ranks in the IDF — and who served in its general staff during this period. The article also discusses the interplay between the characteristics of Israel’s military elite, on one hand, and Israel’s process of state formation and inter-sectoral relations, on the other hand.