Knesset Guard

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Member of the newly established Knesset Guard, 1959 Knesset Guard 1959.jpg
Member of the newly established Knesset Guard, 1959
A Knesset Guard, armed with a Galil assault rifle, in front of the Knesset, 2008 Knesset Guard P5200034.JPG
A Knesset Guard, armed with a Galil assault rifle, in front of the Knesset, 2008

The Knesset Guard (משמר הכנסת; Mishmar HaKnesset) is an Israeli protective security unit. The Knesset Guard is responsible for the security of the Knesset building and protection of Knesset members (MKs).

Contents

Guards are stationed outside the building, with ushers on duty inside. The commander of the force is called the Sergeant-at-Arms (K'tzin HaKnesset, literally, "officer of the Knesset"). In addition to security duties, the Knesset Guard conducts ceremonial roles, such as greeting dignitaries and taking part in the annual ceremony on Mount Herzl on the eve of Israeli Independence Day.

History

On October 29, 1957 Moshe Dwek threw a grenade during a plenary session of the Knesset. Minister Haim Moshe Shapiro, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion and Minister of Foreign Affairs Golda Meir were injured. Following the events the Israeli Police decided to establish the Knesset Guard in 1958. [1]

Duties

The Knesset Guard has primary responsibility for protecting the Knesset building and grounds. It is also responsible for the personal security of Knesset members. The guard operates under the authority of the Speaker of the Knesset. [2]

The Status and Authority were regulated as part of Knesset Guard Law from 1968. The First Knesset Officer was Yerachmiel Belkin.

Weapons

Knesset Guards are armed with IMI Tavor TAR-21 and IMI Galil rifles.

Ranks

English language equivalent(Hebrew)RankInsignia
Enlisted
ConstableשוטרShoter Shoter.svg
Corporalרב שוטרRav Shoter RavShoter.svg
Sergeantסמל שניSamal Sheni SamalSheni.svg
Staff Sergeantסמל ראשוןSamal Rishon SamalRishon.svg
Sergeant First Classרב סמלRav Samal RavSamal.svg
Master Sergeantרב סמל ראשוןRav Samal Rishon RavSamalRishon.svg
First Sergeantרב סמל מתקדםRav Samal Mitkadem RavSamalMitkadem.svg
Sergeant Majorרב סמל בכירRav Samal Bakhir RavSamalBahir.svg
Command Sergeant Majorרב נגדRav Nagad RavNagad.svg
Officer
Second Guard Officerקצין משמר משנהKzin mishmar mishne Second Guard Officer Kzin-mishmar-mishne of Knesset Guard.png
First Guard Officerקצין משמרKzin mishmar First Guard Officer Kzin-mishmar of Knesset Guard.png
Senior Guard OfficerשמרShamar Senior Guard Officer Shamar of Knesset Guard.png
Chief Guard Officerרב שמרRav Shamar Chief Guard Officer Rav-Shamar of Knesset Guard.png
Vice Commissionerסגן גונןSgan-Gonen Vice Commissioner Sgan-Gonen of Knesset Guard.png
Commissionerגונן משנהGonen Mishne Commissioner Gonen-Mishne of Knesset Guard.png
Commander of the Knesset Guardתת גונןTat Gonen (Tat Nitzav) General (Commander of the Knesset Guard) Tat-Gonen Tat-Nitzav(Mefaked Mishmar Ha-Knesset) of Knesset Guard.png
Knesset Master-at-ArmsניצבKtzin-Ha-Knesset (Nitzav) Major-General (Knesset Master-at-Arms) Nitzav (Ktzin-Ha-Knesset) of Knesset Guard.png

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References

  1. Knesset Website Staff. "Third Knesset". The Knesset. State of Israel. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  2. Schneider, Tal (2021-01-10). "Watching DC strife, armed Knesset Guards say they've long readied for unrest". Times of Israel .