| Country: | Israel |
| Details of Formation: | The Civil Guard seems to have been formed after the Ma’alot massacre in May 1974 as a counter-terrorism unit. (Wikipedia) |
| Details of Termination: | -- |
| Purpose: | The Civil Guard assisted the Israeli police in their regular tasks. First, it acted as a counter-terrorist unit, then it developed into a neighborhood watch that supported the police. |
| Organisation: | The Civil Guard was a division in the Police and Community branch of the Israeli police. Official regulations allowed them to make arrests and to perform other limited police powers. Membership in the militia required a high level of commitment which is why many members left the group within the first year. There were “Matmid volunteers” who received advanced training and wore police uniforms and Yatam volunteers. (Wikipedia) |
| Weapons and Training: | The militia received extensive training to provide initial response to security threats until the police arrives. Moreover, they were armed with rifles and other hand-held guns. (Wikipedia) |
| Size: | The militia had between 35,000 and 150,000 members. About 20% of members quit after their first year of service due to the high level of commitment required. |
| Reason for Membership: | Members of the Civil Guard were motivated to join the militia in order to protect themselves against the perceived surge of violence against Israelis. |
| Treatment of Civilians: | The militiamen conducted joint operations with the police. The police sanctioned Civil Guard members due to an incident of extreme violence against Arabs. However, during car chases and patrols suspected criminals have also been killed. |
| Other Information: | -- |
| References: |
Wikipedia. “Civil Guard”. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Civil_Guard_(Israel)&oldid=948141132 Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD. |