Top 7 Weirdest Israeli Gear

Israel has been in intense combat since the day of its foundation. The need to survive, outrun and out gun their enemies has pushed the Jewish state to think outside of the box and come up with creative solutions that can get pretty weird at times. 

Here are the Top 7 Weirdest Israeli Military Gear & Tactics Ever Used

The Mitznefet

Contrary to popular belief, the IDF does not have the highest chef-to-grunt ratio nor does Israel have a large Smurf population. The Mitznefet is about disguising a precision-cut ballistic helmet in the asymmetry of nature. The Mitznefet breaks up the shape of a helmet and makes it considerably more difficult to spot from a distance. It is a piece of kit that is as authentically Israeli as you get.  It is another example of the Israelis using their heads to create a simple but highly effective piece of gear.

Tactical Lamas

Lamas played a pivotal role in Israel’s campaign against Hezbollah back in the 2006 Second Lebanon War. The Lamas were used to carry dozens of kilos of logistical equipment as well as heavy weaponry. There were soldiers who would go through a “special lama training course”, that would train them to become expert “lama guides”. On ambushes, the lamas can lie with the soldiers for two, even three days, without moving. They provide the soldiers with thermal protection in the winter and lug the necessary equipment for a prolonged stakeout.

Soda Bottles

When Israeli pilots ran out of bombs in Israel’s 1948 war of independence, they got creative and started dropping seltzer bottles on the advancing Arab Armies. As the bottles fell they made a loud whistling noise that sounded like bombs dropping and they also bursted on impact and made one hell of an explosion. The noise created the illusion of more firepower than the Israelis actually had and even sent some of the advancing Arab units into retreat.

Tzefa Shirion

Tzefa Shirion which translates to Armor's Viper, is a missile consisting of a 400 foot long chain propelled by a missile. When it falls to the ground, it detonates mines and allows clearing of roads up to 400 feet in length and 30 feet wide,  eliminating mines and creating open paths to advance through terrain.

Davidka

Decades ago, before recycling trash became a thing, the Israeli Defense Forces discovered a far more practical solution for trash than landfills in the form of a giant mortar that literally shot garbage. The Davidka was a homemade mortar that was completely inaccurate and inefficient. The ammo was nothing more than cans, rocks, pipes and nails. The one thing the Davidka did have going for it was a dizzying loud blast that literally scared away entire battalions of the Syrian Army.

Skunk

Violent riots are not uncommon in Israel and most crowd control methods such as rubber bullets and tear gas can cause harm and long term damage to the participants. Israel wanted to find a way they could disperse these violent riots without causing harm to the rioters. 

'Skunk' is a non-lethal spray developed for crowd control.  Described as a cross between "rotting flesh, unwashed socks and a sewer", skunk is sprayed from water cannons atop armored vehicles. Although it may induce a gagging reflex, skunk is made from "100% food-grade ingredients" and is "100% eco-friendly - harmless to both nature and people".

Krav Maga

Before the UFC, a comprehensive mixed martial arts was developed by the IDF called Krav Maga, which literally translates to close combat. The fighting system consists of a combination of techniques sourced from boxing, Karate, Muay Thai, Wing Chun, Judo, Jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and grappling, along with realistic fight training. Krav Maga is known for its focus on real-life situations and extremely efficient and brutal counter-attacks. Leave it to the Israelis to come up with a martial art that is literally all about beating the ever living snot out of your opponent.

Do you agree with our list? Let us know in the comment section which weird Israeli gear or tactics you think should have made it.