Militaryחגי טופולנסקי

Chagai Topolanski

Chagai Topolanski is an Israeli reserve major general who headed the IDF Personnel Directorate and later served as director general of the Israel Airports Authority.

born 1965Heading the IDF Personnel DirectorateIDF beard permit policyLeading the Israel Airports Authority

Occupation: military personnel, military officer
Education: University of Haifa
Rank: aluf
Wars: 2006 Lebanon War

Chagai Topolanski was born in 1965 in Israel

Chagai Topolanski was born in Israel in 1965. He grew up in Moshav Arugot and studied at the Be'er Tuvia regional school, in the same class as Nitzan Alon.

He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Haifa. He earned a master's degree from the US Air Force command and staff school in Montgomery, Alabama.

He joined the flight course in 1984 and became a fighter pilot, later commanding Squadron 109 and Hatzerim Air Base. He headed the Air Division, then served as Air Force chief of staff, and from 2014 headed the Personnel Directorate. There he limited beard permits, which drew public criticism, and in December 2016 he announced his retirement after a military computer was stolen from his home.

In 2017 he joined Elbit Systems to manage its drone field. In April 2022 Transport Minister Merav Michaeli chose him to lead the Israel Airports Authority. He resigned in February 2023 after a move to remove him, which he said was political.

He is married to Roni, has 4 children and lives in Moshav Arugot.

Chagai Topolanski's life in 9 milestones

1965
Born in Israel.
1984
Joined the IDF flight course.
1999
Appointed commander of Squadron 109.
2008
Promoted to brigadier general and named Hatzerim base commander.
2012
Appointed Air Force chief of staff.
2014
Appointed head of the Personnel Directorate.
2016
Announced his retirement from the IDF.
2022
Became director general of the Israel Airports Authority.
2023
Resigned from the Israel Airports Authority.

Chagai Topolanski served in IDF Pilot Course

A fighter pilot from 1986, he flew Skyhawk, F-16 and F-15I jets and commanded Squadron 109 and Hatzerim base. He reached the rank of major general and served as Air Force chief of staff during Operations Pillar of Defense and Protective Edge.

IDF Pilot Course