PATT, GIDEON

(formerly Marcus)

(1933- )

Born on 22 February 1933 inJerusalem, Patt studied inreligiousschools and at the Merkaz Harav yeshiva. After serving in the army, he entered politics. He went to theUnited Statesto work for Nahum Goldmann, then chairman of theWorld Zionist Organization. He received a B.Sc. ineconomics, international trade, and labor relations from New York University in 1963. In January 1970, he entered theKnesseton behalf of theLiberal Partyfaction ofGahal. In January 1979, he was appointed minister ofindustry, commerce, andtourism, and on 5 August 1981, he was sworn in as minister of commerce and industry. Patt served as minister ofscienceand development in theGovernment of National Unityestablished in 1984. In December 1988, he became minister of tourism and retained that portfolio in the government established byYitzhak Shamirin June 1990. A member of the 13th Knesset, he retired from party politics prior to the 1996 election and was appointed CEO of the International Office of Israel Bonds (seeSTATE OF ISRAEL BONDS).