Mishmar Ha-Gvul (MAGAV)

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MISHMAR HA-GVUL (MAGAV):

The Israeli frontier guard, a branch of the Israel National Police deployed throughout Israel and the Occupied Territories. Its organization is similar to that of the Israel Defense Force (IDF) and when necessary it is used to augment the IDF; eighteen-year-old recruits can choose the MAGAV for their mandatory service. Its members receive combat training as well as training in counterterrorism, crowd control, and police work. They serve mainly in rural areas, in Arab villages and towns, near the border and at the West Bank. MAGAV has an excellent record of thwarting terrorist attacks.

SEE ALSO Israel Defense Force;West Bank.