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2 IDF majors become first Ethiopian women named military court judges

Maj. Mazi Mekonen is also prosecuting the Palestinian terrorist suspected of killing Staff Sgt. Amit Ben-Yigal.

by  Lilach Shoval and ILH Staff
Published on  03-21-2022 12:15
Last modified: 03-21-2022 12:18
2 IDF majors become first Ethiopian women named military court judgesIDF Spokesperson's Unit, Oren Ben-Hakoon

Majors Mazi Mekonen, left, and Tamar Bekia Adgach are breaking barriers | File photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit, Oren Ben-Hakoon

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Two female IDF majors have become the first Ethiopian women to be appointed IDF military court judges. On Sunday, Maj. Tamar Bekia Adgach and Maj. Mazi Mekonen were appointed to military courts in Judea and Samaria, and they are expected to assume their new roles soon.

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Mekonen is also the prosecutor in the case against a Palestinian terrorist suspected of killing Golani soldier Staff Sgt. Amit Ben-Yigal.

In 2019, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi met with a group of 12 career Ethiopian-Israeli soldiers after he received a letter from Ethiopian-Israeli officers and non-commissioned officers about the prevalence of racism in the army.

Attendees conveyed their personal experiences and feelings on the matter with the chief of staff.

Kochavi said there was no place for racism in the Israel Defense Forces, and stringent measures must be implemented to ensure an end to it.

In 2016, Lt. Col. Dr. Avraham Yitzhak – who was the first Ethiopian-Israeli to graduate medical school in Israel and the first Ethiopian-Israeli to become an IDF doctor – was appointed chief medical officer for the IDF's Southern Command.

In 2018, Lt. "Y" became the first Ethiopian-Israeli to earn his wings as an Israeli Air Force pilot. Y. completed the pilots' course and was assigned to serve as navigator on fighter jets.

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