Mistaravim

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Mistaravim is the name given to Counter-Terrorism units, of the Israeli Defence Forces, in which soldiers are specifically trained to "be an Arab" and go into the occupied territories to capture (or kill) a wanted terrorist. These are also commonly known as the 'Arab Platoon'.

Mistaravim is the Hebrew term for "being an Arab".

[edit] Training

Training for these units is about fifteen months:

- Four months basic infantry training in the Mitkan Adam army base - the IDF Special Training Center.

- Two and a half months of advanced infantry training in the same base.

- Two months unit's basic training, which focus on advance urban navigation exercises and the beginning of CT training.

- Five weeks CT course in IDF Counter Terror Warfare School in Mitkan Adam.

- One month advanced inner-unit CT training with the unit's own instructors.

- Four months Mistaravim course, which covers everything from learning the Arabs' traditions, language and their way of thought to civilian camouflage (hair dying, contact lenses, Arabs' clothing).

- One-month courses - sniper, driving and different instructors courses.

[edit] Units

Two of these units are:

Sayeret Shimshon (Unit 367), which operated in the Gaza Strip. It was disbanded in 1994 after the Oslo peace talks.

Sayeret Duvdevan (Unit 217), which operated in the Judah and Samaria.