Sayeret Matkal is Israel’s most elite special operations unit. It has been setting special operations standards since its creation.

The Sayeret Matkal (General Staff Reconnaissance Unit) is the principal SOF unit of Israel. Within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) it is known simply as “the Unit.”

Sayeret Matkal began life in 1957 as part of Aman (Military Intelligence Unit 154). It was designed to operate deep behind enemy lines. Masters of disguise, its soldiers originally consisted of Jews who spoke Arabic as their native language. They were joined by paratroopers, intelligence personnel, and other experienced hands from the military. The unit is modeled after the British SAS and adopted the British Special Air Service motto of “Who Dares Wins.”

The Unit often operated in Arab lands, g

See Full Page