Avi Pazner

Avi Pazner ( * 1937 in Gdańsk ) is a former Israeli diplomat and since 1998 Chairman of Keren Hayesod.

Pazner held on during the Second World War in Switzerland. At the age of 16, he emigrated with his family to Israel. After he had completed his schooling in Jerusalem, he served until 1959 in the Israeli armed forces.

Pazner studied politics and economics at the Hebrew University. After completing his studies he began in 1965 for the Israeli Foreign Ministry to work. Here he held a variety of posts. Among other things, he served from 1981 to 1986 as a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry.

In 1991 he was appointed Israeli ambassador to Italy. Pazner was also non- resident ambassador to Malta and later became the first non- resident ambassador to Albania. As Ambassador to Italy, he led negotiations with the Holy See to establish diplomatic relations. In 1995 Pazner moved to the ambassadorship in France. This post he held until September 1998 when he was elected Chairman of Keren Hayesod.

Pazner is married and has three children. French President Jacques Chirac made ​​him a Commander of the Legion of Honour.