Mickey Edelstein

Mickey Edelstein (Hebrew: מיקי אדלשטיין; born May 1966) is a major-general in the Israeli Defense Forces, and the IDF's military attaché in the United States.

Mickey Edelstein
Native name	מיקי אדלשטיין
Born	May 1966 Jerusalem, Israel
Allegiance	Israel
Branch	Israel Defense Forces
Years of service	1986–present
Rank	Aluf (major-general)
Unit	Shaldag Unit
Commands	Duvdevan Unit, 202 "Tsefa" (Viper) paratroop battalion, the Nahal Brigade, the Gaza Division, IDF's military attaché in the United States
Battles / wars	South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000) First Intifada Second Intifada 2006 Lebanon War Operation Cast Lead Operation Pillar of Defense Operation Protective Edge

Biography

Michael (Mickey) Edelstein was born in Omer. He was drafted into the IDF in 1986 and volunteered to the Israeli Air Force special forces unit Shaldag. He served as a soldier and a squad leader.

Military career

Edelstein became an infantry officer after completing Officer Candidate School and return to the unit as a platoon leader. Later he served as a company commander in the unit and in Givati Brigade. He was the commander of Duvdevan Unit, an elite special forces unit and later led 202 "Tsefa" (Viper) paratroop battalion during the Second Intifada.^[1] Afterwards he commanded the Nahal Brigade May 2006 to May 2008, including during the Second Lebanon War, and served as head of the Paratroopers and Infantry Corps.^[2]

He was appointed Commander of the Gaza Division in November 2012, responsible for Israel's border with Gaza, replacing General Yossi Bachar.^[2][3] He was the primary commander of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip during the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict.^[4] In 2016 he was promoted to the rank of aluf (Major general) and was appointed as the IDF's military attaché in the United States.