Israel Air Force pilots\' course #145 concluded this week with an impressive ceremony in the IAF Museum in Hatzerim, in the Negev. Three of Israel\'s new pilots are from the pre-military yeshiva academy in Atzmonah, in Gush Katif; 8% are from Judea, Samaria, and Gaza - about twice as much as their proportion to the total Jewish population.
IAF Commander Gen. Dan Halutz told the new pilots, \" The Palestinian Authority is infected with terrorism from its head down to its toes… The battle will be won not only via strength, but also with a spirit of determination, unity, and belief in the justness of our way.\" The graduates of the course stem from most of the sectors of the population, including 45% from cities and 32% from kibbutzim and moshavim. One new pilot has nine siblings and lives in the Negev development town of Mitzpeh Ramon; 12% are religious; 8% are yeshiva graduates; 10% studied in pre-military academies.
IAF Commander Gen. Dan Halutz told the new pilots, \" The Palestinian Authority is infected with terrorism from its head down to its toes… The battle will be won not only via strength, but also with a spirit of determination, unity, and belief in the justness of our way.\" The graduates of the course stem from most of the sectors of the population, including 45% from cities and 32% from kibbutzim and moshavim. One new pilot has nine siblings and lives in the Negev development town of Mitzpeh Ramon; 12% are religious; 8% are yeshiva graduates; 10% studied in pre-military academies.