Col. (Res.) Raanan Gissin PhD., a Strategic Analyst, has in recent years become one of Israel’s leading spokesmen for the foreign press and the international community on security and strategic issues, and the peace process. Until recently (2001-2006), served as Foreign Press & Public Adviser to the Prime Ministers of Israel.  Dr. Gissin currently serves as a strategic consultant, commentator and lecturer on a variety of topics related to the Middle East, Israel, war against terror, and media and government relations.

Professional Record

2001-2006   Served as Foreign Press and Public Affairs Adviser and reported directly to the Prime Ministers Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert.

2003  Received the prestigious Louis D. Brandeis Award for outstanding contribution to Zionism and for dedication to the causes of peace and security for the State of Israel.

1999  Following the change of Government, Dr. Gissin continued to serve as a special consultant to Mr. Ariel Sharon.

1998   Senior Public Affairs and Media Adviser to Minister of Foreign Affairs for Arial Sharon. Participated in the Wye Summit Conference and Negotiations which led to the signing of the Wye Memorandum in October 1998, in Washington D.C.

1996   Appointed Spokesperson for the newly formed Ministry of National Infrastructures headed by Minister Ariel Sharon. Also served as Mr. Sharon’s personal Adviser of Public and Media Affairs.

1995   Initiated and organized the Pension 2000 conference in Israel with senior Israeli economic leaders and top fund executives and investors from the United States.

Service in the Israel Defense Forces

 

1979-1993    Strategic Analyst in the IDF Planning Division.  Involved in orchestrating and implementing the IDF withdrawal from the Sinai.

Fulfilled a variety of senior positions in the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit. Responsible for the Public Affairs and Foreign Press during the war in Lebanon and the Intifada.

Special Adviser to the Israeli delegation to the Madrid Peace Conference and the subsequent negotiations with Arab and Palestinian delegations in Washington D.C.

Deputy IDF spokesperson, responsible for foreign press.  In this capacity, during the first Gulf War, he was Director of the Foreign Press Center at the Hilton Hotel, providing service to over 1,000 correspondents and covering the scud-missile attacks against Israel.

1967-1970    Compulsory military service – at the rank of a captain.

Education

 

1973   B.A. from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

1975   MSc in Broadcasting Journalism

1979    PhD in Political Science and Public Administration from Syracuse University in New York

Dr. Raanan Gissin is a fifth generation Israeli, born in Kibbutz Hasollelim in 1949.