Scienceיקותיאל גרשוני

Yekutiel Gershoni

Yekutiel Gershoni was an Israeli historian of Africa at Tel Aviv University and a Paralympic medalist.

1943 to 2021History of Africa and LiberiaParalympic silver medals in 1980Academic career after severe war injury

Born: 28 February 1943, Rishon LeZion
Died: 14 July 2021
Occupation: historian, Para athlete, orientalist, university teacher
Education: Tel Aviv University

Yekutiel Gershoni was born in 1943 in Rishon LeZion

Gershoni was born in Rishon LeZion in 1943. He joined the IDF in 1961 and became a combat engineering officer.

In November 1969 he was badly wounded while dismantling explosives. He lost both arms, and his sight and hearing were seriously damaged.

A year after the injury he began studying Middle Eastern and African studies at Tel Aviv University, where he earned two degrees with honors. He completed his PhD at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1982.

He built an academic career at Tel Aviv University despite difficulty reading, dictating his writing. He headed the department of Middle Eastern and African studies from 2000 to 2004 and was president of the International Association for Liberian Studies in 2001 and 2002. He also taught and did research at Stanford, Boston and Indiana universities.

Gershoni competed in running and long jump at the Paralympic Games and won 2 silver medals in 1980. He was married with three children and died in July 2021.

Yekutiel Gershoni's life in 9 milestones

1943
Born in Rishon LeZion.
1961
Joined the IDF.
1969
Severely wounded while dismantling explosives.
1980
Won silver medals in the 100 and 400 meter races at the Paralympics.
1982
Completed his PhD at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
1995
Became associate professor at Tel Aviv University.
2007
Became full professor.
2010
Received an honorary doctorate from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
2021
Died.

Yekutiel Gershoni served in Paratroopers Brigade and Combat Engineering Corps

Gershoni joined the IDF in 1961 and served as a combat engineering officer with the Paratroopers Brigade. He was severely wounded in November 1969 and later left the army.

Paratroopers Brigade Combat Engineering Corps