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Russian-Israeli billionaire Arcadi Gaydamak. (Reuters) Last update - 20:47 21/02/2007 Gaydamak announces formation of 'Social Justice' movement By Lily Galili, Haaretz Correspondent Billionaire Arcadi Gaydamak on Wednesday announced the formation of a new social movement, named "Social Justice," which he said could turn into a political party at any time, "based on the circumstances." During a press conference, the Russian-born business tycoon called for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's government to be replaced, saying Israelis should support Likud leader Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu. "Don't vote for Olmert, don't vote for Peretz - don't even vote for Gaydamak. Vote for Bibi [Netanyahu]," Gaydamak said. Advertisement Based on polls that Gaydamak commissioned over the last few weeks, including one conducted by the Geocartography polling company, he has decided that - with a proper focus on the party goals and close ties to Likud leader Netanyahu - the party could win about 25 seats. Gaydamak has coordinated plans for the party with Netanyahu, whom the businessman has previously supported as his preferred candidate for prime minister. In turn, Netanyahu appeared at a mass Hanukkah party that Gaydamak organized this year. The Netanyahu-Gaydamak alliance has noticeably intensified recently, through a series of interviews that both gave to the Russian-language media, in which each has praised the other. Polls show Netanyahu's popularity to be rising by 17 percent among Russian speakers in the wake of the interviews. Gaydamak has decided that the party will not have a political-security platform. He supports the market economy, increased taxation for high earners and a significantly stronger welfare state. Gaydamak's party is likely to eventually become part of the Likud. The billionaire himself is apparently planning to serve as party chairman and control the party from the outside rather than serving in elected office, replicating the model of Shas - whose spiritual leader, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, is not an elected official. Gaydamak plans to put an emphasis on the needs of Russian speakers but not to appeal solely to those voters. He wants to translate his popularity in other sectors of the population - among Israeli Arabs, Bedouin, Druze and the ultra-Orthodox - into political power. Members of these communities are expected to be on the ticket, although Gaydamak has yet to name anyone as a candidate. Indeed, the party Gaydamak plans to launch is set to help Netanyahu no less than Gaydamak. The billionaire has previously said that he is not personally interested in an active political life, but he wants to be the man who determines who becomes prime minister. The party could also put pressure on Minister Avigdor Lieberman, chairman of Yisrael Beiteinu, who is popular among his fellow Russian-speaking immigrants - but not as popular as Gaydamak, according to a recent Mutagim poll. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Bring down the house Knesset speaker calls for wrecking of yeshiva killer's family home. Frum and fabulous Beauty salons offer Haredi women a unique brand of modest glamour.   1.   A 51st State? More likely a province of Russia 22:06  |  Yaakov Sullivan 21/02/07   2.   Russian mafia goes social?! 22:11  |  Roy 21/02/07   3.   Question for every Israeli 23:45  |  Clickfool 21/02/07   4.   mafia social?? 02:18  |  eli 22/02/07   5.   JB 07:15  |  J 22/02/07   6.   men 11:16  |  andy 05/03/07   7.   Long live Russian Mafia ! 00:45  |  Dr. Ari Nir 10/07/07   8.   Social Movement 23:00  |  Lotus Lieu 10/03/08

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