Amb. Avi Pazner is the World Chairman of Keren Hayesod - United Israel Appeal.[1]
Born in Danzig (Gdansk), immigrated to Israel with his family at the age of 16. Graduated from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with a degree in Political Science and Economics, served in the Foreign Ministry from 1965. Fluent in six languages: Hebrew, French, English, Spanish, Italian and German. Served as Counsellor at Israel’s Embassy in Washington, headed the Foreign Ministry’s Press Division, served as Ministry Spokesman from 1981, in 1986 was appointed Senior Advisor to Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir. In 1991, he was appointed as Israel’s Ambassador to Italy. He headed the negotiations with the Vatican, which resulted in the establishment of diplomatic relations with Israel, in 1995-1998 served as Ambassador to France. Decorated by President Chirac as Commandeur of the French Légion d'honneur.
In September 1998, Pazner was elected World Chairman of Keren Hayesod. He is the author of the book "The Secrets of a Diplomat" written in French (Editions du Rocher, 2005).
Avi Pazner is married, is the father of three children and has six grandchildren.