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IDF soldiers of Ethiopian heritage

Attendees at the IDF Widows and Orphans "Stronger than the Wind: Embrace, Strengthen and Support" conference in Kfar Saba on September 17, 2024. (Nir Davidson/IDFWO)
September 18, 2024, 8:03 am
Struggling with a new reality, the war’s 260 new widows find support in a new sisterhood
The IDF Widows and Orphans Organization’s ‘Stronger than the Wind’ event offers ways for widows to heal their hearts and find joy even though they’re ‘devastated’
By Diana Bletter
A member of the Ethiopian community celebrates upon arriving at Ben Gurion airport on March 11, 2021. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
January 31, 2023, 6:07 am
Shedding image as bystanders to history, Ethiopian Jews reclaim their exodus saga
Activists are highlighting the roles community leaders and others played in bringing the Beta Israel to Israel, seeking to combat racist attitudes and empower Ethiopian youth
By Jessica Steinberg
A military police officer speaks with imprisoned Israeli soldiers at Prison Four, Israel's largest military prison, located at the Tzrifin military base on Aril 26, 2018. (Miriam Alster/FLASH90)
June 13, 2019, 2:31 pm
About 1 in 15 IDF soldiers were jailed last year — and that’s an improvement
Some 10,000 troops served time in military prison in 2018, most for minor offenses and the majority from poor backgrounds — and that’s better than in the past
By Judah Ari Gross
A graduation ceremony for Israeli soldiers who completed the IAF Flight Course, at the Hatzerim Air Base in the Negev desert, December 27, 2017 ( Flash90)
December 18, 2018, 8:55 pm
Lt. ‘Yod’ to become first Ethiopian-Israeli air force pilot
Airman to serve as fighter jet navigator upon completing grueling pilots course later this week
By Judah Ari Gross
Damas Pakada, the Ethiopian-born soldier who sparked national riots when footage emerged of him being beaten by police in 2015, in an interview with Hadashot television aired Saturday, April 21, 2018. (Screen shot)
April 22, 2018, 8:52 am
Ethiopian soldier beaten by cop is now a decorated IDF cyber officer
Damas Pakada, 24, became a symbol for police brutality, discrimination and neglect experienced by his community
By ToI Staff
Ethiopian-Israeli activists plead with the Interior Ministry to allow their families to immigrate from Ethiopia at a State Control Committee meeting on February 12, 2018. (courtesy the Knesset)
February 12, 2018, 4:55 pm
Government approves immigration of 1,000 Ethiopian Jews for 2018
Prime Minister’s Office and Interior Ministry say names of 1,000 immigrants, largely parents who already have children in Israel, will be okayed in 4 weeks
By Melanie Lidman
Damas Pakada, an Ethiopian-born IDF soldier who was assaulted by police in Holon on Sunday, April 27, 2015 (screen capture: Channel 2)
April 9, 2017, 8:05 am
Ethiopian-Israeli soldier beaten by cop seeks to block plea deal
Damas Pakada files petition to force his attacker to face criminal charges, calls for indictment over racial assault
By ToI Staff
File: Video footage showing policemen pummeling an Ethiopian-born IDF soldier, Damas Pakada, who alleged he was the target of a racist attack. (screen capture: YouTube)
March 20, 2017, 11:15 pm
Deal offered to cop accused of beating Ethiopian soldier
AG to top court: No criminal trial if officer suspected of assaulting Damas Pakada in 2016 admits to charges
By Sue Surkes
Lt. Col. Dr. Avraham Yitzhak, poised to take over as medical officer of the Southern Command and become the IDF's first colonel to come from the Ethiopian community. (IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
November 22, 2016, 3:30 am
In first, IDF taps member of Ethiopian community for colonel
Three female officers also slated for promotion; Druze Israeli set to preside over army court for the first time
By Judah Ari Gross
Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich speaks in Tel Aviv, August 30, 2016. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
September 2, 2016, 1:08 pm
Top cop apologizes for Ethiopian comments, insists he was misunderstood
In meeting with community leaders, Roni Alsheich says he explained why cops discriminate in order to combat the phenomenon, not justify it
By ToI Staff
Ethiopian-Israeli soldiers near Beersheba (Serge Attal/Flash 90)
September 1, 2016, 10:39 am
Ethiopian-Israeli soldiers threaten to refuse reserve duty
Soldiers from several elite units announce civil disobedience over police chief’s controversial comments on anti-Ethiopian bias
By Sue Surkes
Sergeant Chalachew Mekonen receives a citation for service during Operation Protective Edge from Southern Command chief Sami Turgeman in February 2015. (IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
June 30, 2015, 11:16 am
Ethiopian soldier’s brother lands in Israel, ending bureaucratic battle
After months-long struggle with interior and immigration ministries, Ethiopian Jew joins his family in the Holy Land
By Judah Ari Gross
Sergeant Chalachew Mekonen receives a citation for service during Operation Protective Edge from Southern Command chief Sami Turgeman in February 2015. (IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
May 19, 2015, 10:12 pm
Soldiers say Israel still won’t let Ethiopian siblings immigrate
Absorption Ministry puts kibosh on Interior Ministry’s permit to allow infantrymen to bring relatives to Israel
By Gedalyah Reback
Hundreds of Israelis of Ethiopian origin clash with police at a protest in Jerusalem, called to highlight alleged violence and racism against the community by police, April 30, 2015. (Photo credit: Yonatan SIndel/FLASH90)
May 3, 2015, 2:09 pm
Raising a voice against racism
The Hebrew papers anticipate further protests by the Ethiopian-Israeli community; coalition talks, the search for a missing Israeli hit a snag
By Marissa Newman
Israel Police Chief Yohanan Danino. (Photo credit: Miriam Alster/Flash90)
April 29, 2015, 12:29 am
Police chief: Cop filmed beating soldier to be fired
Video footage shows Damas Pakada, of Ethiopian descent, assaulted by two officers, one a volunteer policeman
By Jonathan Beck
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