Avraam Arnan Father of special forces Country: Israel

Biography of Avraham Arnan

Avraham Arnan, often referred to as the father of the Israeli special forces, was born in 1930 in Jerusalem. At the age of 17, he joined the Palmach, a special strike force, and participated in fierce battles for the road to Jerusalem. During this time, he served under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Yitzhak Rabin, who later became the Prime Minister of Israel.

After the War of Independence in 1948, Arnan joined the intelligence department of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and focused on undercover operations. It was during this time that he conceived the idea of creating a special unit that combined intelligence gathering and commando operations. He was inspired by the success of British commandos during World War II, who disguised themselves as German soldiers and carried out daring missions behind enemy lines.

Despite facing resistance from the IDF, Arnan remained determined to establish the Israeli commando unit. He even went to great lengths to prove the effectiveness of such a unit, including orchestrating a secret mission in which one of his officers posed as an Arab spy. This mission ultimately convinced the IDF leadership, and in 1958, the Israeli special forces, known as "commandos," were officially formed.

Arnan faced numerous challenges in the early years of the commando unit, including a lack of funding and support from senior military officials. However, he persevered and sought to recruit highly trained reservists from the 101st unit to strengthen the special forces. With Arnan's leadership, the commandos became known for their ability to blend into enemy territory, conduct covert operations, and carry out special missions.

In 1961, Arnan temporarily stepped down as the commander of the special forces due to a lack of support from the IDF leadership. However, a change in leadership within the military intelligence department in 1962 resulted in a renewed focus on the commando unit. General Meir Amit, the new head of military intelligence, recognized the importance of the commandos and provided them with the necessary resources and support.

Under Arnan's leadership, the commando unit thrived and gained a reputation for their effectiveness and daring missions. Despite facing personal health challenges, Arnan remained dedicated to his role and continued to lead the special forces until his passing in 1970. He was buried in a military cemetery in Jerusalem, alongside one of his soldiers, Yoni Netanyahu, who died during the Entebbe raid.

Avraham Arnan's legacy as the father of the Israeli special forces lives on, with the commando unit continuing to play a crucial role in Israel's defense and security. His vision and dedication to creating a highly skilled and versatile special forces unit have left a lasting impact on the Israeli military.