The Jewish Agency intends to accept a $50 million donation from Arcadi Gaydamak for its activity among the Jewish communities in the former Soviet Union, despite the controversy that the news generated a week ago. Gaydamak will be appointed a member of the Jewish Agency Assembly. Chairman of the Jewish Agency executive Zeev Bielski is due to sign an agreement to this effect tomorrow.
It was reported yesterday that Jewish Agency sources had criticized the decision to accept the contribution from Gaydamak, who is wanted in France for tax violations and bribery. These sources regard him as “a very big problem.”
The donation led to a media scandal that began when the “Maariv” Hebrew daily reported last week that the Israel Police had asked the Jewish Agency not to accept the donation from Gaydamak, who is suspected of money laundering, and is investigated in the Bank Hapoalim affair.
A Jewish Agency spokesperson told "Globes" that the final details for signing the agreement were due to be closed yesterday afternoon. The spokesperson said that he was unaware of criticism of the agreement within the Jewish Agency. He added that the Jewish Agency had asked Gaydamak for a contribution several weeks ago, as part of a fundraising campaign.
The donation is earmarked for Zionist education in summer camps, visits to Israel, classes in Hebrew, schools for strengthening Jewish identity, and projects in Israel for narrowing gaps in outlying areas.
Acceptance of the donation is a first-class victory for Gaydamak’s image, not to mention the status he will gain, particularly in view of last week’s commotion. Gaydamak’s PR personnel in the Gitam/BBDO advertising agency were unavailable for comment.
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on January 12, 2006