The president and members of the Executive Committee of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses have paid tribute to the memory of Moshe Schnitzer, who died in Tel Aviv, Israel, Aug. 16, at the age of 86. Schnitzer served two terms as WFDB president, from 1968 to 1972 and from 1978 to 1982. Following his time in office he was named Honorary Life President of the organization, and was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

WFDB president Ernest Blom said that, in many ways, the modern diamond trade is Schnitzer’s legacy.

“Moshe Schnitzer was a visionary, who led by example,” Blom said. “After laying the foundation in Israel for what would grow, largely according to his plan, into one of the world’s most important diamond centers, he turned his attention to the WFDB and the international diamond trade. He realized that our strength lay in our ability to complement one another, working together as an international network of colleagues, rather than as competitors. Generations of diamantaires from all over the world considered him a mentor and a leader.”

Blom offered the WFDB’s condolences to Shmuel Schnitzer, Moshe’s son, who followed in father’s footstep as WFDB president, and to the other members of the Schnitzer family.

“We hope they will find some comfort in the knowledge that thousands of members of our trade in dozens of countries are thinking at this time of Moshe Schnitzer and the indelible mark that he made upon our trade.”

JCK