IDF Mandates Arabic and Islamic Studies for All Intelligence Soldiers

In a sweeping reform designed to overhaul Israel’s military intelligence capabilities, the IDF announced that all intelligence personnel across every unit will undergo mandatory training in Arabic language and Islamic studies beginning immediately.

The move, initiated by IDF Intelligence Directorate chief Maj.-Gen. Shlomi Binder, comes in direct response to intelligence shortfalls that preceded the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre. This initiative is not a surface adjustment, but a deep cultural and educational shift intended to ensure that Israel’s intelligence corps never again misses signs hidden in cultural nuance or regional dialect.

According to Army Radio’s Doron Kadosh, the goal is for every officer and analyst in Aman, including those in cyber-centric units like Unit 8200, to gain a practical command of Arabic and an analytical grounding in Islamic thought. The IDF confirmed to JNS that by the end of 2025, 100% of Aman personnel will be trained in Islamic studies, and 50% will undergo Arabic language instruction a dramatic increase from previous years.

This includes the relaunch of TELEM, a now-revived program promoting Arabic and Middle Eastern studies in Israeli schools. Originally closed due to budget cuts, TELEM will again provide cultural seminars and pre-army preparation in Islamic and regional understanding, deepening national linguistic capacity from the classroom to the front lines.

The program also aims to confront new regional threats. Specialized instruction in Houthi and Iraqi dialects often difficult to interpret due to speech affected by qat chewing will be integrated into the core curriculum. Instructors from these communities have been recruited to ensure accurate and immersive training.

“In the past, we weren’t good enough in areas of language, culture, and Islam,” a senior Aman officer told Army Radio. “We won’t turn our analysts into Arab villagers but we will give them the tools to instill doubt, analyze better, and understand deeply.”

This cultural-literacy-first doctrine marks a strategic turning point for the IDF. No longer will fluency in regional nuance be an optional skill. It will be core to Israel’s intelligence identity embedded into its future.

By investing in cultural fluency, Israel is preparing its next generation of defenders not just to listen but to understand.

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