Despite the tension in the Middle East, Israeli diamond dealers say it is “business as usual.”

Israel Diamond Exchange chairman Moshe Schnitzer says that the country has seen a steady flow of buyers in recent months and hopes that will increase in 2002 as normal travel patterns resume.

The World Diamond Congress, to be held in Ramat-Gan in May, will go on as scheduled.

In related news, the Israeli Diamond Exchange Complex, the world’s largest, was named this January for Schnitzer, a veteran industry leader.

Schnitzer, 80, served as president of the Israel Diamond Exchange for more than 25 years and was the driving force behind the establishment of the Exchange complex. Today, this complex encompasses four high-rise buildings and sees daily traffic of 15,000 workers and visitors.

Speakers at the dedication included former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a friend of Schnitzer’s.