Sixth Basic Law of Israel, the Military

Since the Constituent Assembly and the First Knesset are unable to put a constitution together, the Knesset legislates basic laws on various subjects. The Sixth Basic Law of Israel is passed by the Eighth Knesset on March 31, 1976. Until this Basic Law is passed, the constitutional and legal basis for the operation of the Israel Defense Forces is to be found in the IDF Ordinance of 1948. The Basic Law reiterates the subordination of the military forces to the government and the status of the Chief of Staff. The law states that the IDF is the army of the state, deals with the compulsory military service and enlistment, as well as the instructions of the army and its orders. It states that “outside the Israel Defense Forces no armed force is to be set up or maintained, except in accordance with the law.”