As a child he sold candies from the Western Wall. Today he leads a government body that controls billions

Elad Arnefeld, CEO of the Government Tourism Company, recounts in an interview his journey from a child selling candies at the Western Wall to managing a body with a budget of 2.6 billion shekels. He describes coping with his son born with cerebral palsy, the 250% growth in projects, and the expected merger with development companies.

Elad Arnefeld, CEO of the Government Tourism Company, tells Globes in an interview about his path from a child selling candies at the Western Wall to managing a government body with a budget of 2.6 billion shekels. Arnefeld, 47, married and father of four, grew up in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem in a religious family. After serving as a Patriot missile system fighter, he completed late high school diplomas and degrees in economics and accounting. He worked in private companies until his son was born with cerebral palsy, prompting him to seek work close to home. In 2020 he joined the Government Tourism Company as CFO, and after three years was appointed CEO. Under his management, the number of projects grew by over 250%, and he led the merger of the Old Acre and Nazareth Development Company and the Dead Sea Development Company. The article also touches on accessibility, inspired by his son, and his return to secularism while maintaining faith in God.