Israel's Eli Avidar to Quit Diamonds for Politics

RAPAPORT... Eli Avidar will step down as managing director of the IsraelDiamond Exchange (IDE) to pursue a career in politics. The IDE chief chose not to continue in his position as head ofthe bourse, which he has held since January 2016, and will leave shortly, hetold Rapaport News Sunday. He will also resign as managing director ofthe Israel Diamond Institute (IDI). The former diplomat plans to run for theKnesset, Israel's parliament, in the next elections, the timing of which hasnot been confirmed, national daily Israel Hayom reported. "My role at the diamond bourse was challenging andsatisfying, but once I made the decision to go into politics, I could no longerhold [that] position, as it requires my full attention," Avidar told thatnewspaper. Image: Three Photographers