Apax Israel fires back at Mivtach Shamir demand

Apax: "Meir Shamir is acting in bad faith and is abusing due process. He has no interest in the resumption of trading in Mivtach Shamir shares."

Apax Partners Israel, run by chairwoman Zehavit Cohen, today filed its response to the demand of Mivtach Shamir Holdings Ltd. (TASE:MISH) for an urgent meeting to discuss the financial condition of Tnuva Food Industries Ltd., in which both companies have stakes.

The Israel Securities Authority suspended trading in Mivtach Shamir's shares on May 10, and will not permit resumption of trading until company provides proper disclosure about Tnuva's financial status.

Apax said, "Meir Shamir is acting in bad faith and is abusing due process. He has no interest in the resumption of trading in Mivtach Shamir shares." Apax added that Mivtach Shamir had more than two months to file its request, but chose to do so just before the courts go on their summer recess. This act demonstrates the lack of urgency that Mivtach Shamir attaches to it request.

Apax further alleges that Mivtach Shamir chairman Meir Shamir personally wants all trading in Mivtach Shamir suspended, in order to take the company private by delisting its shares. "The claim that there is need for an urgent discussion, due to the wish to resume trading in the shares is made in bad faith, and is abuse of due process," said Apax.

In an unrelated development, "Globes" yesterday revealed that Apax Israel is deliberating whether to acquire Psagot Investment House Ltd. or Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd. (TASE: CLIS). A decision is due in a few weeks, and no later than the end of September, the closing date for the Psagot transaction.

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 5, 2010

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2010

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