Politicsדני אילון

Danny Ayalon

Danny Ayalon is an Israeli diplomat and politician who was Israel's Ambassador to the United States from 2002 to 2006 and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2009 to 2013.

born 1955Ambassador to the United StatesDeputy Foreign Minister, 2009 to 2013Co-chairing Nefesh B'Nefesh

Born: 17 December 1955, Tel Aviv
Occupation: diplomat, politician, economist
Party: Israel Our Home
Education: Tel Aviv University, Bowling Green State University

Danny Ayalon was born in 1955 in Tel Aviv

Danny Ayalon was born in Tel Aviv in 1955. His mother, Lily Ellon, came from Poland in 1937, and his father, Rafael Ayalon, came from Algeria. Both parents fought in the War of Independence.

He served in the Armored Corps and reached the rank of captain. He earned a BA in economics from Tel Aviv University and an MBA from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. In 1984 he became an economist and finance manager at Koor.

He joined the foreign service in 1989 and was posted to Panama in 1991. From 1993 to 1997 he headed the bureau of Israel's ambassador to the UN, then advised Prime Ministers Netanyahu, Barak and Sharon on foreign affairs. He took part in the Wye and Camp David talks.

As ambassador in Washington from 2002 to 2006, he worked on the Road Map and on U.S. loan guarantees to Israel. He then co-chaired Nefesh B'Nefesh, which promotes immigration to Israel.

In 2008 he joined Israel Our Home and entered the Knesset in 2009, becoming Deputy Foreign Minister. In 2010 he apologized after a public diplomatic incident with Turkey's ambassador. He was left off the party list for the 2013 elections. He is married to Anne and they have 2 daughters.