Dr. Avi Yitzhaki, the chief medical officer of the Southern Command, became on Thursday the first Israeli of Ethiopian descent to be promoted to the rank of colonel in the IDF. Dr. Yitzhaki with IDF chief Eisenkot (Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office)Dr. Yitzhaki is in charge of the Southern Command's medical unit. Dr. Yitzhaki receiving his ranks from IDF chief Eisenkot (Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office)Yitzhaki, married and a father of four from Be'er Sheva, was born in Ethiopia and made aliyah to Israel in 1994 at the age of 19. Upon completing his doctorate degree, he was stationed at his request in the Paratroopers Brigade's 101st Battalion as a medical officer. Dr. Yitzhaki with IDF chief Eisenkot (Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office)During the 2006 Second Lebanon War, Yitzhaki was a resident in general surgery and was called up to serve as a doctor in the Nahal Brigade.

Source: Ethiopian News September 01, 2017 19:41 UTC