Israeli female fighter pilots in Iran attack.

Female pilots

Female pilots were part of the Israeli Air Force squadron that carried out a retaliatory attack on Iranian military targets early Saturday morning. The Israeli Defence Forces released videos and images of the pilots and the attack on Saturday evening.

Israeli media reports indicate four female F-16 pilots participated in a night attack on Iran involving dozens of fighter jets. This event represents a historic milestone for the IDF, the Israeli Air Force, and Israeli society. The inclusion of women in combat pilot roles is the culmination of a hard-fought battle for equal opportunity, significantly advanced by legal action in the Supreme Court. The Court has consistently played a crucial role in upholding the rights of various groups and minorities, including women, secular Israelis, and the LGBTQ+ community.

This progress is inextricably linked to Alice Miller, who immigrated to Israel from South Africa with her family at the age of seven, settling in Hod HaSharon. A lifelong aviation enthusiast, Miller studied aerospace engineering at the Technion in Haifa and obtained a civilian pilot's license.

In 1994, while on student deferment (known as "atudait"), Miller applied to the Air Force's flight course but was rejected because of her gender. Refusing to accept this discrimination, Miller filed a lawsuit in November 1995 against the Ministry of Defense and the IDF, demanding an end to gender-based discrimination in flight training admissions.

The High Court of Justice (BAGATS) ruled in Miller's favor, a landmark decision in Israeli legal history. This pivotal case not only opened the door for women to become combat pilots but also shattered the glass ceiling that prevented women from serving in numerous combat units within the IDF, ranging from artillery to the border guard.

Despite her legal victory, Miller did not attend the flight course. After graduating from the Technion, she served in the Air Force in various officer positions.

Miller's story garnered significant media attention in Israel. She faced considerable sexist backlash, including from then-President Ezer Weizman, a former fighter pilot, whose comments reflected deeply ingrained sexist attitudes. Weizman’s remarks, questioning women's ability to handle stress, a crucial requirement for fighter pilots, sparked public outrage.

In recognition of her contribution to gender equality in the IDF, Alice Miller was honored with the privilege of lighting a torch at Mount Herzl during Israel's Independence Day celebrations in 2015.

In 2020, Miller published her autobiography, Alice Miller: Life Story.