in 1937 he enlisted to the haganah where he underwent a course in kiryat anavim. in 1940 he joined the jewish settlement police where he served as a constable ("jhaffir"). during his service he graduated from the juara training base in ramat menashe, in northern israel. by 1946 was promoted to general commander in rishon lezion. in 1947 he was promoted to the ephraim district commander.