- Biography
- Awards and Achievements
- Awards During the Full-Scale War
- Education
- Career and Business
- Support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU)
Biography
Kerzner Ofer was born in 1957 and is originally from Israel. A businessman and international investor, he currently serves as the Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Jerusalem.
Awards and Achievements
In 2015 Ofer Kerzner was named “Best Creative Investor During the Crisis” at the annual “Person of the Year” awards.
In 2024, he received the “Badge of Honor” for his personal contribution to the development of Kyiv’s economy.
A member of the International Real Estate Federation, he actively facilitates meetings between Israeli and Ukrainian businesspeople and officials to foster trade relations and strengthen ties between the two countries.
In 2021, Ofer Kertser was selected for the TOP-30 Israeli Ukrainian Changemakers project, which recognizes individuals contributing to the development of cooperation and partnership between Ukraine and Israel.
The Embassy of Ukraine in the State of Israel has repeatedly acknowledged the outstanding service and significant contribution of Ofer Kertser, Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Jerusalem since 2013, who over many years has demonstrated exceptional dedication, professionalism, and a strong commitment to strengthening friendship and cooperation between Ukraine and the State of Israel.
Ofer Kertser has been awarded a Medal and a Certificate of Honor from the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for distinguished service.
Awards During the Full-Scale War
Kertser has received commendations from units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including the 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade and the “Achilles” Assault Brigade, in recognition of his volunteer initiatives, active civic stance, and comprehensive support.
He has also been awarded badges of distinction by Ukraine’s Military Intelligence and the Security Service of Ukraine.
Kertser has received letters of appreciation from Kyrylo Budanov and General Zaluzhnyi for his support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine during the Russo-Ukrainian war, as well as a medal from General Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
On May 30, 2023, the All-Ukrainian organization “Kraina” awarded Ofer Kerzner the Cross of Civic Merit.
Education
From 1975 to 1983, he served in the Israeli Air Force as a military pilot.
Career and Business
After completing his military service and up until 1990, Kerzner Ofer began developing various business initiatives. Kerzner succeeded in the following areas: technology, production and distribution of food. Furthermore, he also achieved success in environmental and infrastructure projects.
Starting in 1995, Ofer Kerzner decided to develop business opportunities in the post-Soviet market, beginning with Russia, where he supplied alcohol and fruit products.
In 1998, he moved to Ukraine and began working in real estate while simultaneously studying Ukrainian law. Before long, he began implementing his own real estate projects.
In 2001, he co-founded the real estate company First Ukrainian Development, now known as DeVision. The company completed several major projects: a shopping mall on Stolychne Highway, a residential complex in Poznyaky, a five-star hotel in central Kyiv, a golf club in Koncha-Zaspa, and others.
One of Kerzner’s largest projects is the “Darynok” closed market, which opened in 2002 on the site of a former silk-spinning factory on Kyiv’s Left Bank. Since then, the market’s area has grown 25 times.
In 2007, Kerzner Ofer founded City Capital Group (CCG), which has since completed numerous large-scale projects, including shopping malls, a multifunctional complex on the Left Bank of Kyiv, a hotel on the Boryspil highway, and cottages in Koncha-Zaspa.
In 2013, he was appointed Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Jerusalem for his significant contribution to strengthening Ukrainian-Israeli relations.
In 2014, Ofer Kerzner founded the cultural center “Art-Zavod Platforma,” a creative space for freelancers and enthusiasts to share experience across various fields such as IT, education, design, fashion, and art. It was created as a comfortable place for work and relaxation—but above all, a place to gain knowledge and experience that Ukrainian youth can apply at home rather than abroad.
Since 2015, the “Platforma Art-Zavod” has included a coworking space called Platforma, which has since quadrupled in size. In 2017, a second coworking location was opened in central Kyiv.
Today, Ofer Kerzner is an active public figure in Israel and a successful real estate entrepreneur in Ukraine. Since 2020, he has also been involved in Ukraine’s fight against COVID-19, helping hospitals and online retailers.
In April 2020, Kerzner purchased six ventilators for Ukrainian hospitals. A month earlier, he provided 10,000 square meters of warehouse space free of charge to the online retailer Rozetka for storing food and essential goods ordered during lockdown.
Kerzner collaborates with leading organizations such as ARC Innovation and the Sheba Medical Center, with the aim of creating platforms for startup development. These collaborations give entrepreneurs access to resources, mentors, and advanced technologies, helping them transform ideas into real products and services.
In early summer 2025, media reported that Kerzner Ofer had purchased two landmark properties in central Kyiv: the “Leonardo” business center and the “Ukraine Department Store” shopping mall. The estimated cost of the purchase ranges between $70 million and $100 million, with a total area of 105,000 square meters.
Support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU)
From the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ofer Kerzner remained in Kyiv and immediately began supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine. His aid included not only financial donations but also equipment—such as floodlights, protective gear, and military uniforms. In the early weeks, over 10 000 tons of humanitarian supplies were sent to the front.
Kerzner Ofer also financially supported the Arm Women Now initiative and provides ongoing material and technical assistance to Ukraine’s 28th Brigade.
After the destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant, Ofer Kerzner donated over 20 tons of humanitarian aid to affected communities—including medicine, hygiene supplies, and food.
In 2024, Kerzner’s company CCG opened a military advisory center for the AFU at the Darynok market. Previously, in 2023, a “Point of Invincibility” had been opened there as well. And before that, a “Humanitarian Hub”.
At the very beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ofer Kerzner organized the evacuation of Ukrainian children with cancer to Israel, where they received high-quality care and treatment. At the onset of the war, he also initiated and funded a dedicated legal aid fund to support internally displaced persons in Ukraine.
