Three Israeli soldiers given awards by President Rivlin

Israeli soldiers who have distinguished themselves in their service to the Israel Defence Forces were last week given an award by President Reuven Rivlin.

Staff Sergeant Michael Melamed became a military paramedic a year ago and serves in the Givati Infantry Battalion. He said his love for medicine came from his mother, who today heads the IDF’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Staff Sergeant Talia Eliyahu is an interceptor with 947 Battalion, charged with taking out rockets fired at towns near the Gaza border, where her own family lives. She currently counts 18 interceptions.

Staff Sergeant Yana Iogvenko, born in Ukraine, was a European wall climbing champion before she came to Israel on the ‘Taglit’ programme, after which she made aliyah. She is now a combat soldier in the 334 Artillery Battalion.