Embassy Departments • Consular/Visas • Directions •
Consulates in the US • Israeli Embassies around the World
The honorable Mr. David Ivry
speeches
Ambassador
of Israel to United States, David Ivry (2000-2002)
In January 2000, David Ivry assumed the post of Israel's
Ambassador to the United States.
In January 1999, Mr. Ivry was appointed as Israel's National
Security Advisor and Head of the National Security Council.
From 1996 to 1999, he served as Principal Assistant Minister of
Defense for Strategic Affairs. From 1986 to 1996, Mr. Ivry was
Director-General of the Ministry of Defense - an unprecedented
ten-year period. At the same time, he served as head of the
Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on Arms Control and led
Israel's delegation to the Multilateral Working Group on Arms
Control and Regional Security. Between 1986 and 1998, he was
Israel's chief representative to the U.S.-Israel Strategic
Dialogue (JPMG). From 1983 to 1985, Mr. Ivry served as Deputy
Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, the only Air Force
official ever to hold this position.
From October 1977 to the end of 1982, Mr. Ivry Commanded the
Israel Air Force (IAF). In 1982, under his command, the IAF
destroyed the Syrian surface-to-air missile batteries in
Lebanon's Bekaa Valley during Operation Peace for the Galilee.
In 1981, Mr. Ivry also directed the IAF's destruction of the
Osirak nuclear reactor in Iraq. In 1973, during the Yom Kippur
War, he held the second-highest rank in the IAF as Head of the
Air Division. From 1968 to 1970, during the War of Attrition, he
was Head of IAF Operations. Mr. Ivry also flew combat missions
as a fighter pilot during the War of Attrition, the Six-Day War
(1967) and the Sinai Campaign (1956).
Mr. Ivry was presented with the Legion of Merit by the United
States Air Force; the Distinguished Service Order (Military)
Award by the Government of Singapore; and the Amitai
Distinction Award for Ethical Administration and Conduct in the
Service of the State of Israel. He was also honored by the
Technion University in Haifa for his unique contribution to
Israel's security and economy.
Mr. Ivry twice served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Israel Aircraft Industries. From 1978 to 1982, Mr.Ivry also
served on the Board of Directors of El-Al Airlines. From 1987,
he was also a member of the Board of Governors of the
Technion University in Haifa. In 1977, he received his Bachelors
of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from the Technion
University.
Mr. Ivry was born in Gedera, Israel in 1934.
Mr. Ivry is married to Ofra and they are the parents of three
children and two grandchildren.