Patt, Gideon

(formerly Marcus)

(1933- )

   Born on 22 February 1933 in Jerusalem, Patt studied in religious schools and at the Merkaz Harav yeshiva. After serving in the army, he entered politics. He went to the United States to work for Nahum Goldmann, then chairman of the World Zionist Organization. He received a B.Sc. in economics, international trade, and labor relations from New York University in 1963. In January 1970, he entered the Knesset on behalf of the Liberal Party faction of Gahal. In January 1979, he was appointed minister of industry, commerce, and tourism, and on 5 August 1981, he was sworn in as minister of commerce and industry. Patt served as minister of science and development in the Government of National Unity established in 1984. In December 1988, he became minister of tourism and retained that portfolio in the government established by Yitzhak Shamir in 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 (see STATE OF ISRAEL BONDS).