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Israeli female pilot raises rabbis’ ire

Efforts by extremist rabbis to undermine the historic achievement of Major T., the first woman appointed squadron commander in the Israeli air force, is evidence of the panic they feel.
Israeli Air Force F-15 planes fly during an aerial demonstration at a graduation ceremony for Israeli air force pilots at the Hatzerim air base in southern Israel, December 27, 2017. REUTERS/Amir Cohen - RC157FBE1E80
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An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson announced Jan. 16 the appointment of Major T. (her name was not divulged by the army) as squadron commander, making her the first female pilot in this position. But alongside congratulations, there were also rabbis who expressed anger over the appointment and against IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eizenkot.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may have been in far-off India, yet he sent a message Jan. 17 in support of Eizenkot. "I'm proud of this," Netanyahu said. "Not only will I not condemn the chief of staff. I praise him and the commander of the air force. I expect to see more appointments like this."

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