GKL acquires and manages commercial aviation assets, delivering specialized aircraft leasing solutions to the global market.
Originating within Knafaim and the entrepreneurial vision of the Group’s founders, together with Shlomo Group, GKL combines deep transactional acumen with institutional asset ownership and long-standing industry trust.
Deep Industry Roots.
Value-Driven Leadership.
From its origins within Arkia in 1989, to its 2017 IPO and the 2026 partnership with Shlomo Group, GKL has maintained an enduring reputation for disciplined and reliable execution in global aircraft leasing.
Specializing in the secondary market for mid-life, narrow-body aircraft, the company provides active asset ownership and management backed by substantial capital from Knafaim and Shlomo Group. With this comprehensive foundation, GKL brings a unique understanding of the distinct needs of airlines, investors, and financing institutions alike.
With a strong strategic partnership and substantial capital availability, GKL is well-positioned for disciplined, high-quality growth in the global leasing market.
The Legacy of David (Dadi) Borovitz
Key Milestones
Leadership: Over 120 Years of Combined Experience
GKL’s executive team unites multidisciplinary depth across aircraft leasing, structured finance, technical operations, and international law. This extensive track record provides the operational stability, market insight, and execution certainty required to cultivate enduring industry partnerships.
Sidney Slasky
Sidney Slasky
Mr. Slasky has served as CEO of Global Knafaim Leasing since 2006, after joining the Knafaim Group in 1992.
With over 30 years of experience in aircraft leasing and aviation finance, he has led numerous aircraft acquisition, leasing, refinancing and sale transactions and maintains strong relationships across the global aviation industry. Mr. Slasky holds degrees in Business Management and Accounting from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.
Eran Ben Menachem
Eran Ben Menachem
Mr. Ben Menachem has served as CEO of Knafaim since 2022, following his role as CFO of Knafaim Holdings and its subsidiary, Global Knafaim Leasing (GKL), from 2013. He brings more than 15 years of experience within the Group and extensive expertise in the aviation industry.
Dov Yeshoua
Dov Yeshoua
Mr. Yeshoua has served as the Finance Manager of the Company and of Knafaim Holdings Ltd. since April 2022. Prior to that, he served as the CFO of Mishloha, an Israeli online food-ordering and delivery platform.
Mr. Yeshoua holds a B.A. in Accounting and Economics and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Tel Aviv University.
Jonathan Shtark
Jonathan Shtark
Mr. Shtark serves as the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of both Knafaim and Global Knafaim Leasing Ltd., since April 2017. Before joining Knafaim and Global Knafaim Leasing, Mr. Shtark was a lawyer at Yigal Arnon & Co law firm, with vast experience in commercial and corporate law, securities law and finance, representing and advising both privately and publicly held corporations. Mr. Shtark holds bachelor degrees in Law and Economics (Cum Lauda) and a masters degree in Law, all from the University of Haifa.
Rob Watts
Rob Watts
Mr. Watts joined the Company in 2026, bringing approximately 15 years of experience in aviation deal origination and business development, including senior management roles at ACC Aviation and Aerotask. He currently serves as Head of Origination at GKL.
Ovunc Horasan
Ovunc Horasan
Övünç Horasan is an aviation technical leader with over 20 years of experience in aircraft leasing, airworthiness management, maintenance, and portfolio transitions.
As Technical Director at Global Knafaim Leasing, he oversees aircraft deliveries, redeliveries, sales, and technical asset management worldwide. Holding a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and an MBA, he combines deep technical expertise with commercial strategy and extensive experience managing MRO and OEM relationships.
Board Members
Tamar Mozes Borovitz
Tamar Mozes Borovitz
Ms. Mozes Borovitz is a controlling shareholder and Chairwoman of Knafaim Holdings, which jointly controls Global Knafaim Leasing (GKL). She has served as a director of Knafaim since 1994 and was appointed Chairwoman of the Board in February 2025. Ms. Mozes Borovitz has extensive business and management experience, particularly in the aviation industry, including approximately 15 years as Vice Chairwoman of EL AL. She has significant experience in aircraft acquisition, leasing and sales, as well as strategic planning and business development. In addition to her aviation activities, she has extensive experience in the media and communications sectors and serves in management and board positions in various companies. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology from Bar-Ilan University and completed M.B.A. studies at Tel Aviv University.
Nimrod Borovitz
Nimrod Borovitz
Mr. Borovitz has over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry, including many years as VP of Strategy, Fleet Planning & Business Development at EL AL Israel Airlines Ltd. He currently serves as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors of GKL and also serves as a director of Knafaim Holdings. Mr. Borovitz has extensive and diverse experience in the industry.
Asi Shmeltzer
Asi Shmeltzer
Mr. Shmeltzer has served as a Director of Global Knafaim Leasing since May 2026. He is one of the controlling shareholders of the Shlomo Group and serves as Chairman of Shlomo Holdings, as well as a director of other companies, including Israel Shipyards Industries and Gold Bond Group. Through Shlomo Car Rental (1987) Ltd., the Shlomo Group holds approximately 40.1% of Global Knafaim Leasing and jointly controls the Company alongside Knafaim Holdings. Mr. Shmeltzer has extensive business and management experience and holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Business Administration.
Sofia Kimerling
Sofia Kimerling
Mrs. Kimerling, an entrepreneur and member of the controlling shareholding group, has served as a Director at Knafaim Holdings since 1994. She has also served as a Director at Global Knafaim Leasing since late 2020.
Ariel Steinberg
Ariel Steinberg
Mr. Steinberg has served as an Independent Director of Global Knafaim Leasing since February 2023. Mr. Steinberg holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and currently serves as CEO of the Ashmoret Consumer Club and Chairman of the Israeli Basketball Premier League Administration.
Eran Ilan
Eran Ilan
Mr. Ilan has served as a Director at Knafaim Holdings since 2007 and at Global Knafaim Leasing since 2016. He represents the late Yigal Arnon’s daughters within the controlling ownership group. Mr. Ilan has broad business experience, focusing on real estate and corporate investments in Israel and internationally.
Erez Altit
Erez Altit
Mr. Altit is Co-Founder of SEA Ventures Ltd. and Sea Global Capital Partners AG. He previously served as a Senior Partner at Goldfarb Gross Seligman & Co. and has 29 years of experience advising leading Israeli corporations, financial institutions and international investment banks on cross-border M&A transactions, IPOs and securities offerings. He also co-founded a FINMA-regulated commodity fund and investment companies.
Eyal Ben-Yosef
Eyal Ben-Yosef
Mr. Ben-Yosef has served as a Director of Global Knafaim Leasing since 2026. He serves as CFO of Shlomo Holdings Group and as a director of the Group’s subsidiaries and affiliated companies in the automotive and financial sectors, as well as Afcon Holdings and other private companies controlled by the Shmeltzer family. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Accounting from Tel Aviv University and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
Gur Nabel
Gur Nabel
Mr. Nabel is an attorney with over two decades of experience in capital markets, corporate law, M&A, and commercial transactions. He previously served as Partner and Head of Capital Markets at Goldfarb Gross Seligman, advising public companies, boards, and shareholders.
Mr. Nabel holds degrees in Law, Accounting, and Financial Economics. He also serves as Head of IPOs at the Phoenix Institute for Capital Market Research and as a director of public companies.
Mordechai Bignitz
Mordechai Bignitz
Mr. Bignitz has served as an External Director of Global Knafaim Leasing since late 2020. Mr. Bignitz has extensive managerial, financial and business experience and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). For many years, he has served, and continues to serve, on the boards and committees of various companies listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, operating across a range of industries.
Orna Hozman Bechor
Orna Hozman Bechor
Ms. Hozman Bechor has served as an External Director of Global Knafaim Leasing since late 2020. She brings extensive managerial and business experience, particularly in the public sector, and most recently served as Chairwoman of Ashdod Port. She also serves on the boards and committees of leading Israeli companies, including Oil Refineries, Migdal Holdings and Rafael.
Peretz Guza
Peretz Guza
Mr. Guza has served as a Director of Global Knafaim Leasing since May 2026. He has over 25 years of experience managing healthcare organizations in Israel and most recently served as CEO of Clalit’s supplementary health insurance program. He serves as an External Director of Max Stock, Fattal Europe and Bayit Bakfar, and as a member of the executive boards of the Holocaust Survivors Organization and Halas Cancer. He holds a B.A. in Economics and Business Administration from Bar-Ilan University.