Militaryאליעזר שקדי

Eliezer Shkedi

Eliezer Shkedi is a retired Israeli general who commanded the Israeli Air Force from 2004 to 2008 and later served as CEO of El Al.

born 1957Commanding the Israeli Air ForceCEO of El AlHaredi service in the IDF

Born: 16 August 1957, Israel
Occupation: air force officer
Education: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Naval Postgraduate School, Israeli Air Force Flight Academy
Rank: aluf
Wars: South Lebanon conflict, 1982 Lebanon War

Eliezer Shkedi was born in 1957 in Israel

Eliezer Shkedi was born in Israel on 16 August 1957. His father survived the Holocaust in Hungary, and his mother immigrated from Alexandria, Egypt. He grew up in Hod HaSharon and Kfar Saba.

He joined the IDF in 1975 and became a fighter pilot. He flew Skyhawk, Mirage and F-16 jets, served as a flight instructor, and commanded squadrons and air bases. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and computer science from Ben-Gurion University and a master's degree in systems management from the US Naval Postgraduate School.

In 2004 he became commander of the Israeli Air Force. He led it during the Second Lebanon War and during the 2007 strike on a nuclear reactor under construction in Syria. He also helped found a program for Haredi service in the air force.

From 2010 to 2014 he was CEO of El Al. In 2021 he published an autobiography. In 2024 Defense Minister Yoav Gallant named him head of a team on integrating Haredim into the IDF.

Eliezer Shkedi's life in 10 milestones

1957
Born in Israel.
1975
Joined the air force flight course.
1982
Shot down 2 Syrian MiG-23 jets in the First Lebanon War.
1998
Became commander of Ramat David Airbase.
2004
Appointed commander of the Israeli Air Force.
2005
Received the US Legion of Merit.
2008
Ended his term as air force commander.
2009
Chosen as CEO of El Al.
2021
Published his autobiography.
2024
Named head of a team on Haredi service in the IDF.

Eliezer Shkedi served in IDF Pilot Course

A fighter pilot who shot down 2 aircraft in the 1982 Lebanon War, he rose to the rank of Aluf. He commanded the Israeli Air Force from 2004 to 2008, including the Second Lebanon War.

IDF Pilot Course