Exhibit 24


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned, do hereby
constitute and appoint RAZ STEINMETZ, LAWRENCE LEFKOWITZ, and ALAN L. SCHAFFER,
or any one and or more of them, my true and lawful attorney or attorneys for me,
and in my name, place and stead, as a director and/or officer of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
above premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-fact or
either of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     February 19, 1997               /s/Arie Abend
-------------------------          -----------------------
        Date                              Signature


                                     E-153
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned, do hereby
constitute and appoint RAZ STEINMETZ, LAWRENCE LEFKOWITZ, and ALAN L. SCHAFFER,
or any one and or more of them, my true and lawful attorney or attorneys for me,
and in my name, place and stead, as a director and/or officer of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
above premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-fact or
either of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     February 22, 1997               /s/Michael Arnon
-------------------------          -----------------------
        Date                              Signature


                                     E-154
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned, do hereby
constitute and appoint RAZ STEINMETZ, LAWRENCE LEFKOWITZ, and ALAN L. SCHAFFER,
or any one and or more of them, my true and lawful attorney or attorneys for me,
and in my name, place and stead, as a director and/or officer of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
above premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-fact or
either of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     February 17, 1997               /s/Stanley I. Batkin
-------------------------          -----------------------
        Date                              Signature


                                     E-155
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------


      KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned, do hereby
constitute and appoint RAZ STEINMETZ, LAWRENCE LEFKOWITZ, and ALAN L. SCHAFFER,
or any one and or more of them, my true and lawful attorney or attorneys for me,
and in my name, place and stead, as a director and/or officer of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
above premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-fact or
either of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     February 23, 1997               /s/Yaacov Elinav
-------------------------          -----------------------
        Date                              Signature


                                     E-156
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned, do hereby
constitute and appoint RAZ STEINMETZ, LAWRENCE LEFKOWITZ, and ALAN L. SCHAFFER,
or any one and or more of them, my true and lawful attorney or attorneys for me,
and in my name, place and stead, as a director and/or officer of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
above premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-fact or
either of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     February 15, 1997               /s/Harry B. Henshel
-------------------------          -----------------------
        Date                              Signature


                                     E-157
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------


      KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned, do hereby
constitute and appoint RAZ STEINMETZ, LAWRENCE LEFKOWITZ, and ALAN L. SCHAFFER,
or any one and or more of them, my true and lawful attorney or attorneys for me,
and in my name, place and stead, as a director and/or officer of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
above premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-fact or
either of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     March 11, 1997                  /s/Irwin Hochberg
-------------------------          -----------------------
        Date                              Signature


                                     E-158
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------


      KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned, do hereby
constitute and appoint RAZ STEINMETZ, LAWRENCE LEFKOWITZ, and ALAN L. SCHAFFER,
or any one and or more of them, my true and lawful attorney or attorneys for me,
and in my name, place and stead, as a director and/or officer of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
above premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-fact or
either of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     March 3, 1997                  /s/Herbert Kronish
-------------------------          -----------------------
        Date                              Signature


                                     E-159
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------


      KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned, do hereby
constitute and appoint RAZ STEINMETZ, LAWRENCE LEFKOWITZ, and ALAN L. SCHAFFER,
or any one and or more of them, my true and lawful attorney or attorneys for me,
and in my name, place and stead, as a director and/or officer of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
above premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-fact or
either of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     February 14, 1997               /s/Lawrence Lefkowitz
-------------------------          -----------------------
        Date                              Signature


                                     E-160
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------


      KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned, do hereby
constitute and appoint RAZ STEINMETZ, LAWRENCE LEFKOWITZ, and ALAN L. SCHAFFER,
or any one and or more of them, my true and lawful attorney or attorneys for me,
and in my name, place and stead, as a director and/or officer of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
above premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-fact or
either of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     February 18, 1997               /s/ Hillel Peled
-------------------------          -----------------------
        Date                              Signature


                                     E-161
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------


      KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned, do hereby
constitute and appoint RAZ STEINMETZ, LAWRENCE LEFKOWITZ, and ALAN L. SCHAFFER,
or any one and or more of them, my true and lawful attorney or attorneys for me,
and in my name, place and stead, as a director and/or officer of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
above premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-fact or
either of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     March 2, 1997                  /s/ Shimon Ravid
-------------------------          -----------------------
        Date                              Signature


                                     E-162
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------


      KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned, do hereby
constitute and appoint RAZ STEINMETZ, LAWRENCE LEFKOWITZ, and ALAN L. SCHAFFER,
or any one and or more of them, my true and lawful attorney or attorneys for me,
and in my name, place and stead, as a director and/or officer of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
above premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-fact or
either of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     March 8, 1997                 /s/ Evelyn Sommer
-------------------------          -----------------------
        Date                              Signature


                                     E-163
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------


      KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned, do hereby
constitute and appoint RAZ STEINMETZ, LAWRENCE LEFKOWITZ, and ALAN L. SCHAFFER,
or any one and or more of them, my true and lawful attorney or attorneys for me,
and in my name, place and stead, as a director and/or officer of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
above premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-fact or
either of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     March 20, 1997                /s/ Michael W. Sonnefeldt
-------------------------          -------------------------
        Date                              Signature


                                     E-164
<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 24
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                -----------------


      KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned, do hereby
constitute and appoint RAZ STEINMETZ, LAWRENCE LEFKOWITZ, and ALAN L. SCHAFFER,
or any one and or more of them, my true and lawful attorney or attorneys for me,
and in my name, place and stead, as a director and/or officer of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to sign the Annual Report on Form 10-K of AMPAL-AMERICAN
ISRAEL CORPORATION to the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended
December 31, 1996, and any and all amendments thereto, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the
above premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all said attorneys-in-fact or
either of them may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


     March 26, 1997                /s/ Raz Steinmetz
-------------------------          -------------------------
        Date                              Signature


                                     E-165