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Gaydamak
Photo: Dana Koppel
Gaydamak: Invest in Israel out of solidarity
Billionaire says Jewish business community has duty to help Israel; holds press conference to clear his name following media reports of illegal conduct
Arcadi Gaydamak invests in Israel primarily
to express solidarity for the state and to encourage other members of the Jewish business community in the world to do so also, he said at a press conference on Thursday.
"We live in a Jewish state. Every Jew in the world is responsible for Israel, even if they have never been here," the billionaire stated.
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Gaydamak held the press conference in order to clear his name and refute recent media reports of allegedly illegal conduct, including weapons dealing and tax evasion.
"As a public figure, it's my duty to inform the citizens that, for many years, various sources have spread false rumors about my activities, particular regarding my past in France. The reasons for this disinformation are the gain of professional politicians, unfair business rivals, journalists motivated by ideology and others," he said.
The businessman presented reporters with two formal documents by the French government clearing him of all charges. One was a copy of a document from the French prime minister, noting that the billionaire had never violated arms trafficking laws.
The second was a copy of a ruling that referred to accusations of tax evasion from 1993 and instructed the French tax authority to drop the charges against him and grant him compensation of 1,000 euro (about $1,370).
During the press conference, Gaydamak also referred to verbal attacks against him by Israelis, based on non-criminal issues. He noted that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had criticized him for building a tent city for evacuees during the war, and on several other occasions.
"Out of seven million citizens, I am the only one being attacked and having his motives questioned. Why does Olmert choose me as a bad citizen and why does he criticize me?" Gaydamak said.
When asked by Ynet if he had approached the prime minister to sort out the issue, the businessman responded, "I did not ask him. I do not have direct contact with Olmert."
