Breaking the Sound and Racial Barrier in the IAF

Breaking the Sound and Racial Barrier in the IAF

NEWS DESK | From humble beginnings at a yeshiva to the IAF, Lt. Y, one of the military wing's flight program's latest graduates, the sky is always the limit — even as a racial minority in the country. Yoav Shuster has the story.

Story:

For the cadets of the IDF's pilot's course, this week's graduation ceremony, the 177th, was an emotional time. And for one graduate especially, it was also historic — a personal milestone and a symbol for an entire community.

‘He was very independent from a very young age, got a job at the age of 14, driver's license at 17. He was very much involved in school and has been a leader in his youth movement throughout high school and later in the yeshiva,’ the graduate, Lt. Y’s mother Rachel says.

Lieutenant Y is the first Israeli-Ethiopian to complete the IAF pilot's course, and will soon start his active service as a combat navigator.

‘Being part of the flight crew to me is a privilege and a duty of protecting our country with our best people,’ Lt. Y says.

Y completed a long and difficult program — three years — with lots of will power and perseverance. Becoming a pilot was not his childhood dream, but he made a decision, which later became his ultimate goal throughout his teenage years.

He was born in central Israel and graduated with honors from a Yeshiva school

‘He was great at almost everything he did, if it was my class or in other teacher's classes. He was a straight-A student, a natural born leader and an exceptionally humble young man,’ a former yeshiva teacher of Lt. Y’s, Rabbi Akiva Atatra, says.

Y was born in an immigrant family; his parents always knew that the next generation would be able to break the barriers they had to fight to overcome.

‘I came to Israel through Sudan, and had to deal with many difficulties as an immigrant in this country. So to me, to be able to close those gaps and truly become an equal member of society. So, in that sense, my son's achievements are sort of a closure to me,’ Rachel says.

For many Israeli-Ethiopians Israel of 2018 is still a complicated environment. Acts of Racism and police violence are still present today, but for Y.

‘You realize that despite the difficulties if you apply yourself and work hard enough, you will have the opportunity to go forward,’ Rachel says.

The IDF has invested many resources to integrate Israeli-Ethiopian soldier, particularly in the elite units. Now, thousands of young men and women look up to lieutenant Y as a symbol, an equal among equals.

‘My advice to young people is always strive to improve yourself — always try find a better solution. That is what makes the IDF as strong as it is,’ Y explains.

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