Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., January 08, 2009 Tevet 12, 5769 | | Israel Time: 02:02 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

Aladdin approaches union with Jasmine By Nir Zalik Jasmine Holdco seems finally about to get its hands on Aladdin Knowledge Systems, after a protracted battle with the Israeli security systems maker's founder and leader, Yanki Margalit. The deal seems set to close at $11 to $12 per share, representing a company valuation of $150 to $165 million for Aladdin, say market sources. Aladdin yesterday stated that there is no assurance the deal with Jasmine, an affiliate of Vector Capital, will close. "Aladdin and Jasmine have extended the previously announced standstill agreement, which originally expired on October 30, 2008, during the pendency of these negotiations," Aladdin stated. Advertisement In the past, Vector had offered even more, but Aladdin's share price has since retreated. On Monday, Aladdin, which is dual-listed in New York and Tel Aviv, closed Wall Street trading at $7 per share, representing a market capitalization of $85 million. But yesterday, news of the impending takeover sent the company's stock soaring in Tel Aviv. As of this writing, its stock was up 38.3% on Wall Street, too. Jasmine began picking up stock in Aladdin last July, and finally offered to buy control for $13.50 per share. Company founder and leader Yanki Margalit rejected the unsolicited offer, saying Aladdin was worth more. Jasmine asked to convene a shareholders' meeting to present its offer, arguing that Margalit's refusal wasn't in shareholders' best interest. Margalit then tried to consolidate a group of investors that could deflect Jasmine's takeover, but failed. He and Jasmine resumed negotiations and called off the shareholders' meeting. Jasmine then offered $14.50 per share, but again he rejected it. Now he may have to settle for less. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Humanitarian initiative There is a way for Israel to prove it is committed to universal moral values. Top Targets An Islamist site is compiling a list of U.K. Jews to target over Gaza op.

Read & React Bradley Burston / A Jew's prayer for the children of Gaza Responses: 52 IDF: Shelled UN school in Gaza used as hideout by Hamas Responses: 100 ANALYSIS / Using aggressive tactics in Gaza to save soldiers' lives Responses: 23 Venezuela's Chavez: Gaza operation is a Palestinian 'holocaust' Responses: 26 Amira Hass: Lucky my parents aren't alive to see Israel bomb Gaza Responses: 40 More Headlines 23:29 Israel bombs south Gaza tunnels, tells local residents to flee 01:09 Barak: If cease-fire deal doesn't meet Israel's demands, Gaza operation will continue 21:55 Clashes resume in Gaza City after 3-hour humanitarian truce 22:58 Rice: Gaza truce needed, but must not allow return to 'status quo ante' 18:30 Defense sources: Even if Hamas agrees to truce, its armed wing may resist 23:37 25 Gaza rockets strike Negev over course of Wednesday 21:27 Obama vows to 'engage immediately' on Mideast once inaugurated 12:57 A Jew's prayer for the children of Gaza 18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email 11:35 ANALYSIS / Israel must double, triple, quadruple its medical aid to Gaza 14:34 Report: Islamist site compiling list of U.K. Jews to target over Gaza op 20:40 In battle for public opinion, IDF Web site puts female face forward 16:14 Israel defers vote on expanding Gaza ground op amid growing truce bids 22:00 Joe the Plumber named conservative Web site's war correspondent in Israel 14:53 Nasrallah: Hezbollah will make Lebanon war look like 'a walk in the park' 01:51 German court rules Nazi hit man unfit to stand trial 01:24 IDF reserve forces receive fictitious calls for duty in Gaza 21:35 WATCH: Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Zalman Shoval on Gaza conflict 21:33 U.S. rabbi raises $100,000 to buy care packages for IDF troops in Gaza 14:19 Amira Hass / 86 hours after Gaza home shelled, family still lacks medical aid Previous Editions Select Day 07 jan 06 jan 05 jan 04 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 29 dec 28 dec 26 dec 25 dec

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