Israeli Diamond Industry Marks KP’s Third Anniversary
December 10, 06The Israeli diamond industry this week looked at what has been achieved and what still needs to be done in the struggle against conflict diamonds, as the Kimberley Process is celebrating its third year anniversary.
With the big budget Hollywood movie Blood Diamond showing in theaters in the U.S., Israeli diamond leaders praised the Kimberley Process in eliminating almost all conflict diamonds from the pipeline. Moti Ganz, Chairman of the Israel Diamond Institute and President of the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association, said that the controls put in place by the Kimberley Process have virtually wiped out trade in diamonds with countries of conflict. He said that the world diamond industry acted wisely when it created a model of public and private partnership, which included the industry, governments, and NGO’s.
Avi Paz, President of the Israel Diamond Exchange, said that he and Ganz had been invited to a meeting of the G8 where they had been asked to show how the Kimberley model could be applied to other industries. “At the meeting the precious metal industry spoke to me about implementing their own version. They want to learn from us,” said Paz.
The Israeli industry takes credit for being one of the founders of the Kimberley Process, and was the first country to issue a Kimberley Certificate on January 1, 2003.
World Diamond Council President Eli Izhakoff confirmed that Israel was instrumental in creating Kimberley and that its breakthrough took place in Israel. “The Israeli government representative Udi Sheintal, Israel Diamond Exchange President Shmuel Schnitzer, Partnership Africa Canada’s Ian Smilie and I outlined the model that was eventually accepted by all of the members,” said Izhakoff.
Today Israel remains a very active participant in the Kimberley Process, with Israeli representatives sitting on most of the most important committees.
Diamond leaders said that Israel’s record on Kimberley implementation has been impeccable. “Israel has hosted several Kimberley Review delegations and we’ve always received excellent grades,” said Ganz. “Israeli diamonds are conflict-free.”
Ganz and Paz agreed that the industry at large must ensure that the achievements of Kimberley be maintained and strengthened in the coming years.