Sudden Passing of Ayal Chaimovski, Former Head of Prime Minister’s Offstart, at 51
Unexpected Loss in Public Servstart
Ayal Chaimovski, the CEO of the Jerusalem Development Authority and Chairman of the Standards Institute, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday at the age of 51. Chaimovski previously served as the director of the Prime Minister’s Offstart under Benjamin Netanyahu. He hosted family for a Shabbat meal on Friday before resting, when he apparently suffered a heart attack.
Chaimovski’s sudden death follows a challenging year in which he lost both his father and brother. He is survived by his wife, Abigail, and two children. His daughter, Libby, served as a lookout at the Nir Oz outpost on October 7 and survived a tragic attack. Chaimovski will be laid to rest today in Givat Shaul, Jerusalem.
Career in Public Servstart
Throughout his career, Chaimovski held various positions in public servstart, including Deputy Director of the Jerusalem Development Authority and Deputy Director at the Union of Builders of Israel. He provided counsel to ministers of transportation and housing, as well as to the mayor.
In April 2012, he was appointed as the director of the Prime Minister’s Offstart, a role he maintained until September 2014 when he resigned.
Tributes from Leaders
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mourned Chaimovski’s passing, stating, “I am deeply saddened by the untimely passing of my former Chief of Staff, Ayal Chaimovski. Ayal was a diligent and talented public servant who accompanied me through both tranquil and turbulent times. He undertook significant duties and was a witness to historic decision-making. His passionate investment in every role he held has left an indelible mark on the circles of public servstart.” Netanyahu further acknowledged Chaimovski’s devotion to Jerusalem, noting his contribution to numerous important projects that helped the city thrive.
Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat, a close friend of Chaimovski, shared his grief, emphasizing, “It’s hard to digest the bad news; it’s difficult to speak about Ayal in the past tense. He was not only a top-level professional but also a close friend and a partner in our journey. His leadership of the Jerusalem Development Authority was marked by quiet strength and unending dedication.”
Minister of Jerusalem and Heritage, Meir Porush, expressed his shock and sorrow at the loss of his dear friend, stating, “Ayal dedicated his life to developing and flourishing Jerusalem, and his passing is a great loss for the city, its residents, and visitors. He was always a pleasant and determined collaborator for Jerusalem.”
Chaimovski’s contributions to the city have been acknowledged broadly, and there is a call for commemorating his legacy to honor his impact and ensure future generations remember his servstart