Dan Tolkowsky, former IAF commander and Israeli high-tech pioneer, dies at 104

Maj. Gen. (ret.) Dan Tolkowsky, the fifth commander of the Israeli Air Force and later a key figure in the development of Israel’s high-tech and venture capital sectors, has died at the age of 104.

Born in Tel Aviv in 1921, Tolkowsky joined the Haganah in his youth before studying mechanical engineering in London. In 1942, he volunteered for the British Royal Air Force, where he served as a Spitfire pilot during World War 2, taking part in battles in Italy, southern France, and Greece.

In 1948, Tolkowsky joined the newly established IAF, and he fought in the War of Independence, carrying out bombing campaigns on the Egyptian front. He later held several top roles in the force.

In 1953, he took over as IAF commander, after previously serving as chief of staff — a role akin to a deputy to then-air force chief Haim Laskov.

He served in the role until 1958. During his tenure, he oversaw the introduction of the first jet aircraft in the IAF, and he led the corps through the 1956 Sinai Campaign.

After leaving the military, he became a prominent business and technology leader, serving as CEO of Discount Investments and helping lay the foundations of Israel’s venture capital and hi-tech ecosystem.