The Israel Defense Forces has appointed the first female battalion commander in the military’s air defense array.
Lt. Col. Revital Barzani will command the 66th Ram Battalion, which operates the David’s Sling system, used to intercept medium- to long-range rockets and missiles.
“It is a privilege for me to command the 66th Ram Battalion, a battalion with an extensive history and an important and significant role in the defense of the country’s skies,” Barzani says at a ceremony marking her entry into the role.
The battalion also operates the IDF’s early warning systems for incoming ballistic missiles, alongside the Home Front Command.
“Through the experience and knowledge I have gained over the years, I am entering a position where I have a professional, operational influence and great responsibility,” Barzani adds.
In recent years, there has also been a growing trend of women serving in combat units and in other senior roles previously held by men.
Help us report truthfully on social media
As a multimedia journalist, my job is to take the quality, fact-based journalism produced by The Times of Israel newsroom and make it accessible across every platform — from Instagram posts to podcasts to short-form videos.
This is how many, especially young people, consume news these days. But misinformation is rampant on social media. Our team at ToI produces accurate, responsible short-form reporting on Israel and the Jewish world.
If you believe in the importance of factual social media journalism, please consider joining our reader support group, The Times of Israel Community. Your financial support is essential to sustain responsible multimedia reporting.
— Gabriella Jacobs, multimedia journalist
Support our work
Support our work
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this