The Israel Border Police (Hebrew: מִשְׁמַר הַגְּבוּל, Mishmar HaGvul) is the gendarmerie and border security branch of the Israel National Police. It is also commonly known by its Hebrew abbreviation Magav (Hebrew: מג"ב), meaning border guard, whilst its members are colloquially known as Magavnikim (Hebrew: מג"בניקים). Border Guard is often used as the official name of the Israel Border Police in English. While its main task is securing Israel's borders, it has also been deployed in assisting the Israel Defense Forces, and for counter-terrorism and law enforcement operations in the West Bank, as well as in Jerusalem.
HISTORY
The Border Police was founded as the Frontier Corps (Hebrew:חיל הספר, Heil HaSfar), agendarmerie under the IDF in 1949 with the task of providing security in rural areas and along the borders. In the course of the following years, it was gradually transferred to the command of the Police and became the Border Police. During these years, it secured new settlements and countered infiltration of Palestinian Fedayeen, especially from Egypt and Jordan During the 1967 Six-Day War, the Border Police took part in the fighting alongside the IDF. Following the war, it was deployed in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and charged with maintaining law and order as part of the military administration. Since then, a significant portion of the Border Police's activity has been in these territories, especially during the years of the First Intifada and the Second (al-Aqsa) Intifada.
Because of their combat training, border policemen are employed in unique areas, where there are greater risks for riots, violence and even terror. They serve mainly in the countryside, in Arab villages and towns (along with the regular police), near the borders and in Juda and Samaria.
MAGAV Has 5 Special Operations Units:
YAMAS – Is the top counter – terror undercover unit in Israel, it is a special unit of border police which specializes in covert operations, intelligence gathering, arrests and treatment of disturbances. Widely believed to have the most advanced urban warfare capabilities in the world, Yamas has a unique mode of operations that allows it to carry out complex missions with little or no preparation due to the high level of professionalism among its troops. Known for daring day time raids and the brazen ability to surface in the most volatile Arab areas,Yamas does not follow regular military or police command structure and answers directly to the Shabak. (Secret Service) The undercover operators have clocked more combat missions in the field than any other unit in the Israeli arsenal, often conducting multiple operations in a 24 hour period. At the end of basic training after 4 months there is a 3 “day gibush” tryout to gain acceptance into YAMAS.
HaYamag - Tactical counter-crime and counter-terror rapid deployment unit. The soldiers operate in civilian clothing and are often assimilated into the area during the observations and ambushes.
Samag - specializes in riot control
Matlin - Intelligence gathering and infiltrations interception Unit.
Calbanim (K9 force) - Police k9 unit specializing in operating dogs to locate weapons and prevention of terrorist and criminal activity, and more.
Acceptance to Magav
There is no “gibush” tryout for Magav Acceptance is determined by availability and request. Women are required to take a two day gibush to get accepted.
Medical Profile Required
Combat Profile required (82 and over)
Length of service required for Machal
18 months
Track
After Basic Training (05) Magav offers a variet of gibushim to enter their elite forces. Basic training includes 4 months of basic training (05) and two months of advanced training (07). Basic training takes place at the Magav training center in the South. During basic training, soldiers learn infantry content, weaponry, camouflage implementations, shooting, physical fitness, krav maga, live fire battle drills, war history, a series of education and more.
After completing basic training, soldiers join the various battalions to continue training and tour of duty. All border policemen receive combat training and in addition are also trained for CT (counter-terrorism), riot control and policework.
Tour of Duty
Border Policemen (Magav) do a professional job facing many complex issues. Almost any complex security situation involves the Magav. Among others: Homeland Security (ongoing security within the country), participation in demonstrations and high level security events, policing, preventing violations of public order, giving a response to terrorist events. Magav soldiers have the authority of a soldier and a policeman. Because of their combat training, border policemen are employed in unique areas, where there are greater risks for riots, violence and even terror. They serve mainly in the countryside, in Arab villages and towns (along with the regular police), near the borders and in Juda and Samaria.
Area of Tour of Duty
Magav provides security in every major city of Israel and conducts military operations, raids and arrests on Palestinian people in cities like Jenin, Nablus, Jericho, Qalqilyah, Tul-Karem, Ramallah, Bet Lechem and Hebron.
Weopon
M4Carbine, Jericho handgun
Flag
Green and white
Insignia
Tower and the Israeli police symbol
Uniform
Dark green beret, black boots, Magav tag and pin.