Yehuda Avner (Hebrew: יהודה אבנר; December 30, 1928 – March 24, 2015) was an Israeli prime ministerial advisor, diplomat, and author.
In 2010, he turned his insider stories about Israeli politics and diplomacy into a bestselling book, The Prime Ministers, which subsequently became the basis for a two-part documentary movie.
Avner served as press secretary, official notetaker, and liaison between the prime ministers of Israel and Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson.
[4] In the final months of his life, Avner collaborated with thriller writer Matt Rees on The Ambassador, an alternate history novel that explores the question, "What if Israel had been established in 1938 instead of 1948?"
The Jerusalem Post called the book "a compelling, intricately plotted page-turner that deftly combines well-researched historical detail, Avner's vast experience in diplomatic circles and Rees's finely tuned storytelling skills.
The movies are narrated by Avner, and star Hollywood actors Christoph Waltz, Sandra Bullock, Michael Douglas, and Leonard Nimoy as the voices of Israel's prime ministers.
The Los Angeles Times called The Prime Ministers II: Soldiers & Peacemakers "a West Wing-esque behind-the-scenes look at key historical events."
The Jerusalem Post described it as follows: "Expertly interweaving Avner's astute commentary with spellbinding archival footage, the film is a must for any student of Israel's storied past."