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Russian-Israeli business tycoon Lev Leviev. (Archives) Last update - 23:28 20/02/2008 Russian-Israeli tycoon: Russian aliyah absorption unsuccessful By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Russia, aliyah, Lev Leviev  MOSCOW - Russian-Israeli business tycoon Lev Leviev said Wednesday that Israel was unsuccessful in absorbing the mass Russian immigration, adding that many of the immigrants are leaving the country. Leviev himself left Israel recently and transferred his business to London. The tycoon made the comments to Israeli journalists after the celebratory opening of a new food and aid distribution center for needy Jews in Moscow, run by the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS, which Leviev heads. Leviev criticized successive Israeli government's handling of the Russian aliyah, saying "aliyah to Israel does not need to be based on [fleeing] difficulty, but rather on an ethical decision emanating from a connection to Judaism and the Jewish people," he said. "They should have acted in accordance with the idea of bringing people of a high intellectual level. They should have worked in a far more professional manner." Advertisement Leviev was responding to a journalist's question as to whether he is encouraging Jews to remain in former Soviet states through his activities in the Jewish community in Russia. "Our job is to ensure that Jews here have community life," he said. "The minute they no longer have a connection to Judaism, why should they come to Israel at all? In Germany they receive more, also in Austria and the U.S., so why go to Israel?" Leviev also criticized the activities of international Jewish organizations in Russia, saying "American Jews only give advice." The billionaire praised outgoing Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying his two terms in office saw religious tolerance. "As far as everything related to faith and freedom of religion for all the nations here, he was a wonderful leader," he said. "In each statement, he encouraged Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism, and always said that peoples must respect each other." "We should be proud that the leader of such a large country respects and appreciates Jews," said Leviev. "There is no bureaucracy and we get approvals as necessary." Leviev rejected criticism alleging that the ties between the federation and the Kremlin are too close, saying "We don't have the support of the Kremlin and we don't need protection," he said, "but when the president comes to inaugurate a the Jewish center, the prime minister comes here to light Hannukah candles, and every year the mayor lights a Hannukiyah, it points to a very warm attitude towards Jews." Related articles: Russian Jews to fight aging population with birth grants Remaining Jews in Russia and Ukraine are 'proud to be Jewish' Russian Jews concerned over wave of anti-Semitic incidents Lieberman seeks to encourage aliyah of Russian Jews from Canada More Jewish World news and features Bookmark to del.icio.us   UN hushes Human Rights Council observes moment of silence for Gaza 'martyrs.' Hitler's sign Document shows that British spies hired a flamboyant astrologer in World War II.   1.   "In each statement, he encouraged... 23:41  |  Maureen Ann 20/02/08   2.   He is right, the end of Israel? 23:55  |  Soothsayer 20/02/08   3.   Leviev is absolutely right 00:10  |  B (The other one) 21/02/08   4.   Absorbtion of Russian aliyah - unprecedented success 00:11  |  Shlomo from Tel-Aviv 21/02/08   5.   kissing a** 00:19  |  Alex 21/02/08   6.   Naive Maureen Anne 00:53  |  Zelkha 21/02/08   7.   He might be right 01:11  |  Robert 21/02/08   8.   IT IS 100% RUSSIAN PROPAGANDA 01:36  |  Like it is 21/02/08   9.   He is absolutely right, Israel was a trap for unsuspecting Jews 02:04  |  Alex 21/02/08   10.   I dont get it 02:18  |  Gaby 21/02/08   11.   so who gets to decide who is and isn`t a jew? 03:40  |  jus wondering 21/02/08   12.   money does not make wise 03:46  |  rafiq 21/02/08   13.   Nothing in life fits into one formula 03:55  |  JOJO (USA) 21/02/08   14.   Well done. The beginning of the end of Israel. 05:38  |  American 21/02/08   15.   Hi Maureen Ann 05:48  |  James Brun XAussie 21/02/08   16.   Maybe Lev Leviev cannot milk Israel off it`s cash 05:58  |  Magnify 21/02/08   17.   Come back Home 06:41  |  Gaby 21/02/08   18.   #15 Hi James Brun XAussie. I will tell you something... 07:25  |  Maureen Ann 21/02/08   19.   corrupt rabbis in Russia ... 07:39  |  Avi 21/02/08   20.   The Golden Calf 08:08  |  guy 21/02/08   21.   Naive Maureen Anne II 08:09  |  Zelkha 21/02/08   22.   Young, able and educated leave 08:12  |  MS 21/02/08   23.   Just for show 09:25  |  Susan 21/02/08   24.   Leviev is not a nice guy 10:13  |  Susan 21/02/08   25.   corrupt ministry of absorbtion, corrupt rabbis, corrupt shknnooze 10:54  |  Dror 21/02/08   26.   Russian-Israeli tycoon 12:04  |  MJ 21/02/08   27.   # 24 Susan 12:10  |  Dalit 21/02/08   28.   Faith versus aliyah 12:25  |  Joseph 21/02/08   29.   NOT EVEN JEWS LIKE ISRAEL FINALLY 12:28  |  indrajaya 21/02/08   30.   Grave error 12:29  |  Sherlock Holmes 21/02/08   31.   Communism killed religion 14:28  |  Petra 21/02/08   32.   # 11 G-d gave directions we forget sometimes 14:36  |  Petra 21/02/08   33.   # 14 DREAM ON IDIOT! 14:44  |  Petra 21/02/08   34.   # 24 Susan, Yes, I understand 14:51  |  Petra 21/02/08   35.   Lev Leviev`s absorption-unsuccessful 20:03  |  gil 24/02/08   36.   Israel too small for big-shot Russians 04:33  |  PK 25/02/08   37.   Diaspoa Jewry and Israeli Jews Should Unite 07:51  |  Dave Levy 05/03/08   38.   like i said, LONG LIVE RUSSIA 13:08  |  VIPER 05/03/08   39.   #15, JAMES BRUN, stay there 13:13  |  VIPER 05/03/08

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