In cooperation with the Youth and Education Corps and the Mikve Alon base, the project will focus on the Ethiopian minority, providing assistance throughout their service
Date: 18/07/2012, 10:38 AM
Author: Rotem Pesso
Head of the Manpower Directorate, Maj. Gen. Orna Barbivai, plans to launch a new campaign encouraging social responsibility. The campaign will better incorporate soldiers of the Ethiopian minority in the IDF, accommodating their needs and providing them with assistance throughout their service.
Maj. Gen. Barbivai visited the Mikve Alon base, which is run by the Education Corps and helps new immigrant soldiers become accustomed to the IDF and better incorporate into Israeli society. The base offers education tracks and immigrant tracks enabling soldiers to complete 12 years of schooling, improve their Hebrew, and integrate into Israeli society and military service.
During her visit, she explained the importance of incorporating minorities into the IDF. "You influence the military and the Israeli society, and it is our job to ensure your success," Maj. Gen. Barbivai said to the soldiers. "I expect each and every one of you to complete a meaningful and fulfilling service. The IDF needs your influence and contribution."
Commander of the Mikve Alon base, Lt. Col. Raz Karni, expressed his support of the campaign as well, which calls for cooperation between the Manpower Directorate and the Youth and Education Corps.
Maj. Gen. Barbivai addressed the importance of the Mikve Alon base. "The youth here arrive with sensitive and difficult needs. This is an immense challenge and the commanders here do a wonderful job, giving a part of them to ensure the growth and development of the soldiers," she said.
Commander of a course especially designed to assist minority soldiers, Lt. Yasmin Flavian, explained that the soldiers "arrive here barely knowing any Hebrew, and improve, while also better understanding how Israeli society functions." She added, "These soldiers standout for their Zionism. To them, serving in the IDF is their most important task. I hope they succeed, continue improving their Hebrew, and teach others to accept everyone."