Eli Cohen (politician, born 1949)

Eli Cohen
Faction represented in the Knesset
2002–2003Likud
Diplomatic roles
2004–2007Ambassador to Japan
Personal details
Born (1949-05-29) 29 May 1949 (age 75)
Jerusalem, Israel

Eli Cohen (Hebrew: אלי כהן, born 29 May 1949) is an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset for Likud between 2002 and 2003. He was Israel's ambassador to Japan from 2004 until 2007.

Biography

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Eli Cohen was born in Jerusalem to a family who immigrated from Tunisia to Israel. He studied mathematics and physics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, gaining a BA and his MBA degree from the University of West London. He served as a Betar emissary to North America and director of the Settlement Department of the World Zionist Organization.

Political and diplomatic career

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A former deputy head of the Ma'ale Adumim council, he was placed 23rd on the Likud list for the 1999 elections,[1] but missed out on a seat as the party won only 19 seats. However, he entered the Knesset on 22 February 2002 as a replacement for Joshua Matza. He lost his seat in the 2003 elections.

Cohen served as ambassador to Japan from 2004 to 2007.[2] He is the author of several books in Japanese about Israeli and Japanese culture and about Bushido lifestyle in contemporary Japan.[3]

In 1995, Cohen was appointed head of the delegation and search team to the Himalayan Mountains in Bhutan and Tibet in a successful search for a friend’s lost son. In 2018, in recognition of this act and a lifetime of public service, he received both the Rising Sun Silver and Gold Award from the Emperor of Japan.[4]

Martial arts career

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Cohen is a 5th degree black belt in karate.[5] He served as president of the Israel Shotokan karate organization and coached martial arts at Wingate Institute.

Business career

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Cohen is president of EC Advanced Technologies Marketing, which he founded in 1999. He also serves as a consultant for Israeli and Japanese high-tech and real estate companies.[6]

Awards and recognition

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References

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