Unit 217, frequently called Duvdevan ( he, דובדבן, lit=cherry), is a
''mistaʽaravim'' unit in the
Commando Brigade of the
Israel Defense Forces.
It is notable for its undercover operations in urban areas, during which its operators often wear civilian clothing to disguise themselves among the local
Arab
The Arabs (singular: Arab; singular ar, عَرَبِيٌّ, DIN 31635: , , plural ar, عَرَب, DIN 31635, DIN 31635: , Arabic pronunciation: ), also known as the Arab people, are an ethnic group mainly inhabiting the Arab world in Wester ...
populace. The unit is also known to have highly trained members in both human and mechanical
counter-surveillance. Unlike other
special forces
Special forces and special operations forces (SOF) are military units trained to conduct special operations. NATO has defined special operations as "military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, selected, trained and equip ...
, they can operate independently in more than one place at a time. Unit 217 performs many high-risk and complicated operations, including
targeted killings of terrorists and a range of other undercover operations in
Arab regions, many of which are classified.
History
According to the
Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Unit 217
was established in June 1986 to deal with "security events" in the
West Bank
The West Bank ( ar, الضفة الغربية, translit=aḍ-Ḍiffah al-Ġarbiyyah; he, הגדה המערבית, translit=HaGadah HaMaʽaravit, also referred to by some Israelis as ) is a landlocked territory near the coast of the Mediter ...
, especially in its densely populated civilian areas. During the
2015–2016 violence wave, the unit was involved in the arrests of the killers of
Eitam and Naʽama Henkin, Hafna Meir, and
rabbi
A rabbi () is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi – known as ''semikha'' – following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form of ...
Yaʽakov Littman (sometimes spelled Litman) and his son. For its work during this period, Unit 217 received the
Israeli Chief of Staff
The Chief of the General Staff, also known as the Commander-in-Chief of the Israel Defense Forces (, abbreviated ''Ramatkal''—), is the supreme commander and head of the Israel Defense Forces. The current Chief of the General Staff is Aviv Koch ...
citation.
[
Upon joining the Commando Brigade, Unit 217 expanded its operational activities.]
Organization and mission
The unit is part of the "Oz" 89th Commando Brigade (a brigade dedicated solely to special operations), but ''Duvdevan'' operators undergo basic training in the Paratroopers Brigade. Unit 217 is most similar to the Yamas unit
The Yamas ( sa, यम, translit=Yama), and their complement, the Niyamas, represent a series of "right living" or ethical rules within Yoga philosophy. It means "reining in" or "control". These are restraints for proper conduct as given in the ...
of the Israel Border Police
The Israel Border Police ( he, מִשְׁמַר הַגְּבוּל, Mišmar Ha-Gvul) is the gendarmerie and border security branch of the Israel National Police. It is also commonly known by its Hebrew abbreviation Magav (), meaning border gua ...
.
Equipment
* Jericho 941 semi-automatic pistol M89SR sniper rifle
M89SR sniper rifle is a gas operated semi-automatic sniper rifle produced by Technical Consultants International (TCI), an Israeli company based in Tel Aviv.
The M89SR was first introduced as the Sardius M36 Sniper Weapon System (SWS) in the 19 ...
* M24 Sniper Weapon System – sniper system
* M4 carbine
The M4 carbine (officially Carbine, Caliber 5.56 mm, M4) is a 5.56×45mm NATO, gas-operated, magazine-fed carbine developed in the United States during the 1980s. It is a shortened version of the M16A2 assault rifle.
The M4 is extensively ...
with 10" barrelRemington 870
The Remington Model 870 is a pump-action shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms Company, LLC. It is widely used by the public for shooting sports, hunting and self-defense, as well as by law enforcement and military organizations worldwide.
De ...
combat shotgunMk 47 Striker
The Mk 47 or Striker 40 is a 40mm automatic grenade launcher with an integrated fire control system, capable of launching smart programmable 40mm air burst grenades in addition to various unguided rounds.
Design
The Mk 47 has the latest sensin ...
automatic grenade launcher
* Glock 17/19Ccombat knife
A combat knife is a fighting knife designed solely for military use and primarily intended for hand-to-hand or close combat fighting.Peterson, Harold L., ''Daggers and Fighting Knives of the Western World'', Courier Dover Publications, , (20 ...
See also
* Israeli Special Forces Units
* Kidon
* Samson Unit
* Heroes for life
References
Further reading
*
External links
Garret Machine
{{Authority control
Infantry of Israel
Special forces of Israel
Counterterrorist organizations
Military units and formations established in 1986