Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., February 12, 2008 Adar1 6, 5768 | | Israel Time: 16:58 (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 Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 10:57 21/11/2007 Group 'Judaizing' East Jerusalem accused of withholding donor information By Meron Rapoport, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Silwan, East Jerusalem  The registrar of associations is considering demanding the dissolution of the Elad association, which promotes the "Judaization" of East Jerusalem. Elad has been operating in East Jerusalem for about 20 years. It has acquired and received many properties belonging to Palestinians in Kfar Silwan, adjacent to the Old City, and manages the national park in the City of David on behalf of the state. In recent years, the association has invested many millions to finance the archaeological excavations undertaken by the Antiquities Authority in Silwan. Palestinians in Silwan contend that Elad has "taken over" substantial sections of the village. The registrar claims the association is refusing to divulge the sources of donations totaling over $7 million that Elad received in 2005. Elad representatives claim that all they know about the bodies that donated funds is their addresses, and that the association is not obligated to provide any additional information about its donors. Advertisement Elad had revenues totaling NIS 41 million in 2005 - the last year it reported its figures to the registrar of associations. Of this sum, NIS 38 million came from donations. The association gave the registrar a list of all the donors who had given more than NIS 20,000, in keeping with the recently amended law designed to make donations more transparent. According to the list, however, the lion's share of the donations came from five undisclosed donors. Elad received a donation of $2 million from Farleigh International IT and a similar sum from Ovington World Wide Limited. Leiston Holdings donated $1.5 million to Elad, Dwide Limited gave the association $1.4 million, and a donation of $250,000 was received from Jacobson. This means that a total of over $7.1 million, or 75 percent, of Elad's revenues came from unknown sources. Farleigh International is the former name of Farleigh Consultants, a British investigations firm. This company's manager, David Bowen, told Haaretz he is unfamiliar with Elad and that his company did not donate any funds to the association. Attempts to locate the other four donors were unsuccessful. According to government sources, businessmen originally from Russia are among the main donors to Elad. At an event held by Elad two years ago, in honor of its new visitors center in the City of David, the guests of honor included Russian real estate tycoon Lev Leviev and Roman Abramovich, the owner of the Chelsea soccer club. Representatives of the two would not say whether they made donations to Elad. Despite a number of requests to the association concerning the identity of its donors, Elad still refuses, though the group did not even submit a request to preserve their confidentiality, as permitted by law. As a result, roughly two weeks ago, the registrar of associations announced that this refusal was "liable to arouse a suspicion that the association is not conducting itself in keeping with the Associations Law and the principles of proper management, and could be used as a basis for the registrar to exercise his discretion and withdraw the association's proper management certification or even to demand its dissolution." Such a move would prevent Elad from receiving government funding. Following Haaretz's queries, Elad responded in writing that according to the law, the association was obligated to provide only the name of donor and the date a donation was received. "The demands made by the registrar of associations are invalid, made without authorization," said Elad's written response, which also declared that the association has no other details concerning the donors that gave the $7 million, "apart from their addresses." Elad further claimed that Haaretz's communication to the registrar of associations is "part of a smear campaign that has chosen to use the registrar of associations as a tool to harm the association." Bookmark to del.icio.us   Google N for Nakba Israeli town sues Google over claim it was built on ruins of Palestinian village. A Belgian treat U.S. Jew says he was kicked out of a Bruges cafe because he was wearing a skullcap.   1.   What about Israel Peace Now Settlement Watch 07:21  |  ralphsrant1 21/11/07   2.   Eastern Jerusalem ALWAYS Had More Jews 07:58  |  Yishai Kohen 21/11/07   3.   reply # 2 East Jerusalem will be the capital of Palestine 09:41  |  SJ 21/11/07   4.   Self-hating Jews on the march... 10:02  |  emet 21/11/07   5.   ELDAD HAS NO REASON TO DIVULGE ITS SOURCES 10:17  |  Polly Ester 21/11/07   6.   Provocative, Biased Headline 10:53  |  Ben Israel 21/11/07   7.   Re emet #4 and self-hating jews.... 10:58  |  Esther 21/11/07   8.   # 3 # AMMAN IS THE CAPITAL 14:01  |  Lou Knee 21/11/07   9.   Jerusalem is and was always jewish,east west north and south 15:54  |  Yossi Saar 12/02/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: Sderot as Stalingrad, Hamas as Samson Responses: 86 Ahmed Yousef: Palestinian revenge was inevitable Responses: 82 Israeli town sues Google over claim it was built on Arab village Responses: 128 Minister: No freeze on Jewish house building in E. J'lem Responses: 23 Krakow church holds service slamming 'kikes who spit on us' Responses: 103 Rosner's Domain Amb. Ayalon: Why does Obama think talking to "Hitler" can succeed? Democratic policy unity is a mirage (WTR) Poll: Is it legitimate to cut electricity to Gaza? Think Clinton won the Jewish vote in California? Think again Factor: How's McCain better than Obama More Headlines 16:21 Merkel to PM: Gazans suffering due to Qassam fire 16:34 Sheetrit announces plans for first new Arab city since 1948 16:25 Peres: If we're fired upon, we must hit back without hesitation 14:47 Former U.S. VP Al Gore among recipients of 2008 Dan David Prize 14:06 Top reservists: Roadblocks in W. Bank do more harm than good 16:56 Hoenlein says 'concerned' by atmosphere surrounding Obama campaign 16:46 Asian eateries cut menu over plans to rid kitchens of foreign chefs 12:46 Minister: No freeze on Jewish construction in E. J'lem 12:48 Krakow church holds service against 'kikes who spit on us' 14:13 IDF arrests W. Bank money changers, confiscates funds destined for terror groups 13:11 Barak: Ankara can wield positive influence on Damascus 10:52 Danes seize suspects over plot against 'anti-Mohammed' cartoonists 06:28 Police arrest 5 Palestinians who petitioned against IAA digs under their homes Previous Editions Select Day 11 feb 10 feb 08 feb 07 feb 06 feb 05 feb 04 feb 03 feb 01 feb 31 jan 30 jan 29 jan

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations U.S. CITIZEN IN ISRAEL Register now to vote in national election. Do not wait. Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved