Israeli Defense Attaché in Brazil

The Israeli military attaché working in Brazil plays a multifaceted role, acting as a military diplomat, consultant, facilitator of bilateral cooperation, and responsible for managing military and security issues between the two countries. He represents the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israeli Ministry of Defense, promoting the building of strategic relations, the development of joint defense policies, and the execution of collaborative activities such as training, exercises, and information exchange. Additionally, the Israeli attaché in Brazil is also responsible for providing support to military personnel and their families, coordinating the logistics of joint missions, and monitoring the security situation in the host country. In crisis or emergency situations, the attaché may coordinate military and humanitarian assistance, always with the aim of strengthening cooperation between Israel and Brazil, ensuring the security and interests of both countries.

Here are some of the main functions of a military attaché:

1. Military Diplomatic Representation
   The Israeli military attaché in Brazil officially represents Israel at events and diplomatic meetings related to defense and security. He serves as a communication link between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Brazilian military, government, and security authorities, promoting closer bilateral relations and cooperation between the two countries.
2. Promotion of Military Cooperation
   The attaché is responsible for facilitating military cooperation between Israel and Brazil in areas such as joint training, exchange of information and military technologies, and conducting bilateral military exercises. He may also negotiate defense agreements, contributing to the strengthening of the strategic partnership and the development of joint defense policies.
3. Advisory and Consultancy
   The Israeli military attaché serves as an advisor to the head of Israel's diplomatic mission (ambassador) in Brazil, providing detailed information and analysis on the military and security situation in Brazil and the region. He also acts as a consultant on defense matters, helping to guide Israel's position on Brazil’s security policy.
4. Management of Logistical and Administrative Affairs
   The attaché handles logistical, administrative, and operational issues related to the exchange of military personnel between Israel and Brazil. This includes supporting Israeli military personnel serving in Brazil, as well as assisting the families of military personnel on mission, offering support and guidance as needed.
5. Coordination of Training and Exercises
   The Israeli military attaché coordinates joint training and military exercises involving the IDF and the Brazilian Armed Forces. These trainings can range from combat simulations to specialized activities, always with the goal of improving interoperability between the forces of both countries.
6. Crisis Management and Emergency Situations
   In times of crisis or emergencies, the attaché may be called upon to coordinate Israeli military assistance in Brazil, including the sending of humanitarian aid, rescue operations, or assistance in natural disaster situations. He may also act as a facilitator in rapid response operations, collaborating with local authorities.
7. Recruitment and Support for Military Personnel on Duty
   The Israeli military attaché in Brazil is responsible for supporting and managing issues related to Israeli military personnel serving in the country, including providing administrative services and personal support. He also handles matters related to deserters, conscripts, and other situations involving Israeli military personnel during their mission in Brazil.
8. Intelligence and Security Monitoring
   The attaché closely monitors the security situation in Brazil, identifying potential threats to Israel’s security. He gathers information on Brazilian military activities and defense policies, and analyzes security trends both in Brazil and the region, helping to adjust Israel’s defense posture in accordance with the local scenario.
9. Promotion of Defense Interests
   The attaché plays a strategic role in defending Israel's interests in Brazil, working to promote and maintain a positive image of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) with the Brazilian government, the Brazilian armed forces, and the general public. He also represents Israel’s security concerns and defends its interests in diplomatic and defense spheres.
10. Facilitation of Humanitarian Assistance
    In addition to his military duties, the Israeli military attaché in Brazil may be involved in humanitarian missions and peacekeeping operations, depending on the needs of the region and Israel’s defense policies. He coordinates assistance in crisis situations and, when necessary, contributes to support initiatives during humanitarian or reconstruction efforts.

NAVY CAPTAIN SEMION GAMBURG (DEFENSE ATTACHÉ)

(61) 2105-0502

MILITARYSEC@BRASILIA.MFA.GOV.IL

For more information:

Official website of the Israel Defense Forces - https://www.idf.il/en/ 

Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

The IDF, established in May 1948, is among the most experienced armed forces in the world, as it had to defend the country in five major wars in which the existence of the country was at great risk when it was attacked from several fronts by armies that were "many against few". The IDF's security goals are to protect the existence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Israel, deter its enemies and prevent harm and threat to daily life. Its main tasks include consolidating peace agreements; Ensuring general security in the West Bank, in coordination with the Palestinian Authority; fighting against terrorism, both, within Israel and beyond its borders; and maintaining deterrence in order to avoid pushing the next war away.

The IDF's concept of security is based on four components: deterrence, warning, defense, and decisiveness. Due to the country's lack of strategic depth and reliance on reserve soldiers, the IDF will strive to move the battlefield to enemy territory and shorten the duration of the fighting as quickly as possible. In order to deal with the numerical superiority of the enemies, the IDF maintains its qualitative advantage in the face of attribution threats through the development of advanced and adaptive weapon systems, many of which were invented and manufactured in Israel. Despite the technological investment, the IDF's most important asset is the high-quality human capital of its servants.

In normal times, the IDF is based on a relatively small army consisting of professional personnel and soldiers on mandatory service. In times of conflicts or war, the IDF expands due to tens of thousands of reservists, who maintain their operational readiness through periodic training throughout the year.

The IDF is made up of diverse populations that include women and men who serve in all technical roles, intelligence, etc. and also in combat roles including fighter pilots, commanders of naval vessels and fighters in infantry regiments.

The IDF considers itself to be responsible, among other things, for the educational, cultural and social needs of its soldiers, which include the accessibility of educational activities, leisure as well as personal assistance services. Recruits with an insufficient level of education or insufficient academic achievements have the opportunity to improve the level of their education, and they are encouraged to study on behalf of the IDF during their service period. The integration of the new immigrants is carried out through the study of the Hebrew language and the granting of supplementary programs.

Length of service in the IDF

Mandatory service: All men and women are enlisted at age 18. Men serve 32 months, women 24 months. Women who choose to serve in combat positions, positions with long training programs (such as a flight academy or Naval academy) or in various intelligence units - their service is compared to men's service and they perform service of the same length as men. Long training courses require the participant to sign a commitment for an additional period of service between one year for six years depending on the length of the training. Qualified students in higher education institutions may be deferred in order to allow them to complete their academic studies and to be placed in a position where their academic training will allow them to utilize their skills. New immigrants may be released or serve shorter periods, depending on their age and family status.

Reserve service: after the end of the mandatory service, each soldier is assigned to a reserve unit and integrated into his operational readiness program according to the needs of the arm forces. Men serving in the reserves until the age of 51 serve up to 39 days a year, a period that can be extended according to needs, voluntarily, or in times of conflicts according to a special existing law. The last policy was to reduce the burden of the reserve service wherever possible, and reserve soldiers who served in combat units can now be released at the age of 45.

Career service (professional service): Veterans of the mandatory service who meet the current needs of the IDF may continue to Professional service when retirement is at the age of 42-60, it depends on the type of service (officer or ensign, staff or combat service).

The IDF has three main forces (the Army, the Space and Air Force, and the Navy) which are operated together and separately depending on the combat missions. The IDF has a General Staff at the command ranks of generals (2 stars) headed by the Chief of the General Staff (3 stars General) who is subordinate to the Minister of Defense. The Chief of the General Staff is appointed by the government, on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense, for a period of three years, which is usually extended by another year for several reasons.