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Source: https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5010784,00.html
Dr. Avi Yitzhaki Becomes First IDF Colonel of Ethiopian Origin
(Ynet News) Yoav Zitun - Dr. Avi Yitzhaki, the chief medical officer of the IDF Southern Command, on Thursday became the first Israeli of Ethiopian descent to be promoted to the rank of colonel. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot said, "Col. Avi Yitzhaki is a trailblazer. I congratulate you. To me, this promotion expresses the great appreciation of all you've done so far." Yitzhaki said, "I have no doubt my children, teenagers in general, and teenagers from the Ethiopian community, in particular, will see this as a realization of the phrase 'If you will it, it is no dream.'" Yitzhaki made aliyah to Israel from Ethiopia in 1994 at the age of 19. He completed medical studies at Ben-Gurion University. He served as a doctor with the Paratroopers Brigade and the Maglan special forces unit, and was wounded in the 2006 Second Lebanon War.