Y., a graduate of the Bnei David yeshiva in the Binyamin community of Eli, received his flying wings today at a ceremony at the Hatzerim Air Force base, becoming the first Israeli pilot from the Ethiopian community. During the ceremony, Rabbi Eli Sadan, the founder of the Bnei David pre-military program and a leading religious Zionist rabbi, congratulated the new navigator in an interview with Galei Tzahal Army Radio: "Today, where Y. finishes his pilot course. Rabbi Sadan said that many Ethiopian Jews have been coming to him for many years, are studying very well and are advancing in the army. Their integration into the Jewish people is a wonderful thing, and we happily accept all members of the Ethiopian community. " To date, there are 30 graduates of Bnei David institutions who have been trained as pilots of the IDF, and now there are 13 graduates of the Mechina in the current six courses.

Source: Ethiopian News December 26, 2018 19:07 UTC