Eli Avidar has become the new Managing Director of the Israel Diamond Institute as of the beginning of this year. Avidar replaces Efraim Raviv, who retired after holding this position for 20 years.

Avidar has had a rich career in Israel’s foreign service and government. He represented Israel abroad as consul-general for Hong Kong and Macau from 2001 to 2005. Prior to that he was Head of the Trade Representation Office of Israel in Doha, Qatar from 1999 to 2001. From 1993 to 1996 Avidar was Israel’s deputy consul-general in Philadelphia.

Within the Foreign Ministry Head Office in Jerusalem, Avidar served in several senior positions. In 1999, he was senior diplomatic advisor to the then foreign minister Ariel Sharon, and in 1998 diplomatic advisor to the director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 1996 – 1997 Avidar was responsible within the Foreign Ministry for developing relations with Islamic leaders around the world.

IDI, Ramat Gan, is a non-profit, public interest company comprising all of the organizations and institutions of The Israeli Diamond Industry. It is responsible for the branding, marketing, and business promotion of the industry. In addition, IDI acts to promote new sources of rough diamonds, as well as professional training, publishing and security consultancy.

JCK