Gaydamak to help fund monument to victims of helicopter disaster <br><br> - Haaretz

Subscribe to Print Edition

Thu., November 22, 2007 Kislev 12, 5768

Israel Time: 15:03 (EST+7)

web haaretz.com

Back to Homepage

Rosner's Domain

Diplomacy

Defense

Jewish World

Opinion

National

Print Edition

Advertising

Books

Arts & Leisure

Business

Real Estate

Easy Start

Magazine

Week's End

Anglo File

del.icio.us

Digg It! new

Last update - 05:59 07/03/2007

Gaydamak to help fund monument to victims of helicopter disaster

By Eli Ashkenazi, Haaretz Correspondent

The bereaved families of the soldiers killed in the 1997 Air Force chopper disaster are expected to accept multi-millionaire Arcadi Gaydamak's offer to donate $450,000 toward the completion of the monument commemorating their loved ones.

So far, $600,000 have gone into the construction of the monument south of Kibbutz Dafna in the Galilee, but that wasn't not enough to complete the work. "We are not in any position to say no. Beggars can't be choosers", explained the bereaved mother of Avi Opner, Ra'aia, who coordinates the commemoration activities.

"We thank all donors, but we would rather see the state take the matter upon itself. That would be more appropriate than collecting donations. For 10 years now we have been seeking funding. We're tired", she explained.

	Advertisement

Upon learning of Gaydamak's involvement, Merez MK Ran Cohen submitted a bill Tuesday for the commemoration of the chopper disaster, proposing NIS 2.5 million be allotted for the construction of the monument.

"The State of Israel must commemorate its fallen soldiers. Relying on donations is shameful, and Gaydamak's involvement only casts more doubts on the matter," Cohen warned. "Gaydamak is politically motivated and we must not allow him to take over the commemoration of fallen IDF soldiers."

Bookmark to del.icio.us


	Radical redcoats
	U.K. radical left wing is calling for a one-state solution.


	Bush goes nuts
	U.S. demands Israel halts illegal Iranian pistachio imports.




1.	Buying power	08:38	\|	Misha	07/03/07

2.	Money, Knowledge & Guns	11:52	\|	SayItAintSo	07/03/07

3.	Rotten Apples	12:39	\|	Alicia	07/03/07

4.	Money buys everything,you just have to know where to shop	14:32	\|	Yoav Naor	22/11/07

Today Online


	U.S. demands Israel crack down on Iranian pistachio imports
	Responses: 91


	Israel Harel: Time to tell Israel's Arabs they have gone far enough
	Responses: 63


	PA source: Gaps between Israel, PA still great ahead of summit
	Responses: 56


	Report: Syria decided not to attend Mideast peace conference
	Responses: 32


	Study: Young U.S. Jews feel best when around non-Jews
	Responses: 35

Rosner's Domain

Guest: Lyndon Johnson, the "friendliest president" to Israel

Hate crime against Jews: 167 more victims (WTR)

Fewer Americans believe Israel is ready to make peace

Take a guess: what official will Saudi Arabia send to Annapolis?

More Headlines
13:12 Palestinian source: Wide gaps remain as summit nears


14:35 IDF kills unarmed Palestinian along Gaza security fence


13:57 Report: Syria has decided not to attend Annapolis peace conference


14:53 Activists in underwear delay Peres nuclear speech in Tel Aviv


09:28 Study: Young U.S. Jews most comfortable when surrounded by non-Jews


13:33 Policemen charged with planting explosives under mob boss' car


13:17 Egypt police discover one ton of explosives on Gaza border


14:12 Jordan's government resigns following parliamentary elections


11:12 Peres: Peace deal impossible to reach before Bush term ends