Civil Guard (Israel)
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: |
no
|
| PGM ID Number: |
308
|
| Country: |
Israel |
| Date formed: |
June 1, 1974 |
| Accuracy of date formed: |
year
|
| Details of Formation: |
The Civil Guard seems to have been formed after the Ma’alot massacre in May 1974 as a counter-terrorism unit. (Wikipedia) |
| Date dissolved: |
Unknown |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: |
day
|
| Details of Termination: |
|
| Termination Type(s): |
none
|
Former and Successor Group Information
| Predecessor group(s): |
none
|
| Successor group(s): |
none
|
| Private Military Company? |
no |
| Former Group? |
no |
| Former Armed Group? |
no |
| Former Rebel Group? |
no |
| Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: |
none |
| PGM Becomes Rebel Group? |
no information |
| Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: |
none |
Government Relation, Support, and Training
| Government Relation: |
semi-official (type 2) |
| Created by the Government?: |
yes |
Main Creating Government Institution: |
military
|
| Government Link(s): |
state (institution)
|
| If link to party, name of party: |
None |
| Training and Equipment: |
yes |
| Shared Information and Joint Operations: |
yes |
| Shared Personnel: |
no information |
| Type(s) of Material Support: |
domestic government
|
| State Sponsor(s): |
none
|
| Other Connection(s): |
|
Group Characteristics
Ethnic Characteristics
| Ethnic Target(s): |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: |
not applicable
|
| Ethnic Membership: |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: |
not applicable
|
| Ethnic Purpose: |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: |
not applicable
|
Other Information
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: |
The Civil Guard assisted the Israeli police in their regular tasks. First, it acted as a counter-terrorist unit, then it developed into a neighborhood watch that supported the police. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use |
faster mobilization
|
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: |
The militiamen conducted joint operations with the police. The police sanctioned Civil Guard members due to an incident of extreme violence against Arabs. However, during car chases and patrols suspected criminals have also been killed. |
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: |
killing; beating
|
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? |
no |
| PGM Members Paid? |
no information |
| Reasons for Membership: |
Members of the Civil Guard were motivated to join the militia in order to protect themselves against the perceived surge of violence against Israelis. |
| PGM Members Killed? |
never |
PGM Size
| Size: |
The militia had between 35,000 and 150,000 members. About 20% of members quit after their first year of service due to the high level of commitment required. |
Weapons and Training
| Weapons and Training: |
The militia received extensive training to provide initial response to security threats until the police arrives. Moreover, they were armed with rifles and other hand-held guns. (Wikipedia) |
Organisation
| Organisation: |
The Civil Guard was a division in the Police and Community branch of the Israeli police. Official regulations allowed them to make arrests and to perform other limited police powers. Membership in the militia required a high level of commitment which is why many members left the group within the first year. There were “Matmid volunteers” who received advanced training and wore police uniforms and Yatam volunteers. (Wikipedia) |
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Wikipedia. “Civil Guard”. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Civil_Guard_(Israel)&oldid=948141132
Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD.
Evidence
