Colette Avital is a Vice President of the Socialist International , active since many years in the Middle East Committee of the organization . Over the years, she contributed - and is contributing - immensely to all efforts for an agreed solution that will guarantee security and stability for both Palestinians and Israelis. She always stands for her beliefs and values with courage , listening to others , open to dialogue , fighting for justice. During the challenging period that followed the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, she contributed significantly to the efforts for the return of the hostages , working closely with the families of the victims. Through her abidance to progressive values she represents a role model for the next generation of decision makers.
From immigrant from Romanís to the first woman Presidential candidate in Israel
Colette Avital immigrated to Israel from Romania in her youth. She began her career in the Foreign Ministry, where she held numerous positions in Israel and abroad. Her domestic positions included Acting Director of Publicity; Director of Training with responsibility for the status of women; Deputy Director General with responsibility for Publicity, Communications, Culture and Public Relations; and Deputy Director General for Western Europe. Among her prominent overseas positions, Colette Avital served as Publicity and Press Officer in Montreal; First Secretary for Press and Culture in Brussels; Consul and then Consul General in Boston; Deputy General Counsel in Paris; Ambassador to Lisbon; and Consul General of the New York Embassy.
She entered in Israeli politics in 1999. She joined the Labor Party and served as a Knesset member in the 15th, 16th, and 17th governments; in this time she served on committees for education and culture, constitution and law, and security, amongst others. She chaired the Immigration, Absorption, and Diaspora Committee, and was Deputy Chair of the Knesset. As an MK, Avital established a committee to examine the issue of restoring property to Holocaust survivors, and published a report on the subject in 2005. At the end of that year, the Knesset passed a law establishing a company for the restoration of property to Holocaust victims.
Colette Avital is extensively involved in public activity and has been honored with numerous awards including the Legion d’honneur of the French government and the Cavaliere OMRI of the Italian government. She holds a BA from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an MA from Harvard University. She also holds honorary doctorates from the University of Rochester and the University of Wheaton.
