Amir Maimon - Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs

Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs, Amir Maimon, took his post in August of 2005. After retiring from a 14-year military career in the paratroopers unit of the IDF, (Ret) Lt. Colonel Maimon joined the Foreign Service in 1989 and has served in various positions throughout the world.

Prior to his assignment in Washington, Mr. Maimon served as an Export Control Coordinator at the Foreign Ministry’s headquarters in Jerusalem. During this post, he established an export control unit within the Ministry’s strategic group. During this assignment, Mr. Maimon also served as the Chief Coordinator for overseeing international involvement of the Palestinian elections.

From 1997-2002, Mr. Maimon served at the Israeli Embassy in Ankara, Turkey in several capacities, including Charge d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission, where he helped strengthen the strategic and special relationship Israel holds with Turkey.

A highlight of Mr. Maimon’s career was his role in coordinating “Operation Solomon,” while posted in Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia. This operation rescued 15,000 Ethiopian Jews and airlifted them to Israel. For his integral participation in this effort, Mr. Maimon received a prestigious award.

Mr. Maimon has also served in London and Canada. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in General History from Tel Aviv University and a Master’s degree in Social Sciences from Haifa University. Mr. Maimon has also studied National Security Issues and graduated from the Israeli National Defense College. Mr. Maimon is married to Tal and they have three children, Ofek, Naveh and Elinor.