Cellcom Israel Appoints Avi Gabbay as its CEO

Cellcom Israel Ltd. announced this evening that following its previous announcement as to the Company's CEO resigning from office, the Company's board of directors has appointed Avi Gabbay, as the Company's CEO, effective January 19, 2020.

Mr. Gabbay held various leadership positions in Israel's politics from 2014 to September 2019, including as the Minister of Environmental Protection, the chairman of the Havoda (labor) Party and a member of the Israeli Parliament, was one of the founders of the Kulanu Party and from 2013 to 2015 also served as the chairman of the board of the Appleseeds non-profit organization.

From 1998 to 2013 Gabbay served in various roles in the Bezeq Group, including Bezeq's CEO (2007-2013), Bezeq International (Bezeq's subsidiary)'s CEO (2003-2007), VP Economics and Strategy and VP Human Resources. From 1994 to 1998 Mr. Gabbay served in various positions in the Budget Division of the Israeli Ministry of Finance. Mr. Gabbay holds an MBA and a B.A. in economics, both from the Hebrew university of Jerusalem.

Ami Erel, the Company's chairman of the board said: "I am confident that Mr. Gabbay with his excellent understanding of the Telecommunications market and leadership is the right man at the right time to lead Cellcom Israel to execute its restructuring plan and take the Company back to profitability. I want to thank Nir Sztern for his years of service to the Company. I wish him all the success in his future endeavors."