Joseph Paritzky *

A former Israeli Minister of Energy & National Infrastructure, Joseph I. Paritzky has had a long and distinguished career in law and energy, spanning both the private and public sectors. Reaching the bar in both New York and Israel in the mid-1980s, he was elected to become a member of the 15th Israeli Knesset (Parliament) in 1999. He was re-elected to become a member of the 16th Knesset in 2003, when he also become a member of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon"s government, holding the position of Minister of Energy and National Infrastructure (in charge of Energy and Water).

Paritzky was instrumental in developing the natural gas system of Israel and the East Mediterranean more broadly, as well as advancing dramatic reforms in electricity, water, and infrastructure. He initiated the idea of an "Infrastructure Undersea Tunnel" linking Israel and Turkey, and gave licenses to the first private power stations in the state of Israel. He also served as the representative of the Israeli parliament to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. In 2006 he retired from government and since that time has been working in private investment and business development with a special focus on the gas industry of the region.