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Last update - 09:13 17/03/2008 U.K. millionaire: Netanyahu's London trip was not a 'gift' By Daphna Berman, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: U.K., Israel  Joshua Rowe, the Manchester millionaire who invited Benjamin Netanyahu on behalf of the British Jewish community for a "hasbara" campaign during the Second Lebanon War, said Netanyahu told him the Knesset approved his trip and rejected claims that business interests were behind his willingness to underwrite the trip's estimated 15,000 pound cost, a third of which he says Israel Bonds reimbursed. Netanyahu's lawyer had filed a NIS 2 million libel suit Sunday morning against Channel 10 following the network's expose Friday which claimed the opposition leader and his wife spent NIS 131,000 on the six-day trip to London. The lawsuit maintains that Netanyahu was sent to London on a public relations campaign to make Israel's case for the war against Hezbollah, and that he did not indulge in a "pleasure voyage," as the expose had claimed. Advertisement In a telephone interview from the U.K. on Saturday, Rowe told Haaretz that he personally invited Netanyahu on behalf of the British Jewish community, though he admitted that he never invited Sara Netanyahu along. "I called Netanyahu, in consultation with the Jewish community and told him about the media image of Israel [in England during the war]. He said he got permission from the Knesset and that he's coming," Rowe said. Regarding Mrs. Netanyahu, he said: "She was there, but whether she was invited, I don't know. I did not invite her, but it wasn't an issue for us, we didn't have a problem with it." Rowe, a leading figure in Manchester's Jewish community, also categorically denied that business interest fueled his willingness to underwrite the trip. Later in the conversation, Rowe also said that Netanyahu told him the Knesset was sending him. "This is not a matter of quid pro quo," he said. "If there is the slightest implication that the sponsor - that I - received any kind of benefit for this, it's completely untrue. I never had any kind of business connection with Netanyahu at all. I never asked for any 'protectsia,' as they say in Israel. Never, never, never." "He worked for us; it wasn't a gift," he added. "He was on CNN, Sky News, all over the media. Night and day, he was in the [news] studios and he also raised money for Israel Bonds." Rowe said that the hotel booking, including the choice of the hotel and selecting a suite - rather than a standard room - was done by the Israeli embassy in London. He paid the final bill - an estimated 15,000 pounds sterling and says that Israel Bonds offered to pay him for a third of the cost, which they did. He also said that Netanyahu reimbursed him for about 1,500 pounds, the estimated cost of his personal expenses, and that he could not recall the exact nature of those expenses. "Netanyahu insisted on paying me back, but I said 'no, we'll cover it.' He insisted and said that he needed to pay me for those private expenses and so he did," Rowe said. Before extending the invitation, Rowe added, he consulted with BICOM, a pro-Israel advocacy group, and other Jewish organizations such as UJIA and the United Synagogue. He said that during the consultation, he agreed to pay Netanyahu's bill. "We always have a sponsor or two when we invite guests to the community. It's standard procedure in the charitable scene here. All the organizations wanted him to come, but I facilitated it. It was August and so a lot of people were away. I said I would take the responsibility for the financial aspects of the trip." He also said he didn't understand what all the brouhaha was about. "As an Englishman, I don't understand what's going on. It's not the Israeli tax payer paying the bill. I was. The Jewish community was thrilled [that he came] and I was also thrilled." Rowe is the chairman of governors at the Manchester King David School. A leading figure in the city's Jewish community, he heads the local branch of the UJIA and is considered right of center in his political views. He is said to have earned his fortune in the textile business. "British Jewry was in a depression," he said. "Israel was attacked by rockets, but the media was attacking Israel. It's not that we have pots of gold lying around, but even if it cost double or triple the amount [I paid], I still would have agreed to underwrite the trip. It was a real emergency and Netanyahu lifted a lot of spirits. He's a very effective ambassador for Israel." A spokesman for Israel Bonds said: "We funded the flight, as well as a night or two at the hotel." A spokesperson for UJIA said: "We're looking into the matter. When we have finished studying the issue, we will release a statement to the media." BICOM would not comment on the issue. Response from United Synagogues: "The United Synagogues did not pay for Mr. Netanyahu's trip, nor did it invite him to the UK. However, we are extremely grateful for the uplift he provided our community during the Lebanon War." Related articles: Netanyahu: I acted for the state, not at the expense of the state How much are MKs spending to 'reach out and touch someone'? Bookmark to del.icio.us   The gift of dignity T.A. charity provides female drug addicts with shower, meal and counseling. Sign of life Hamas leader says Gilad Shalit is still alive after two years in captivity.   1.   Good on you Mr Rowe.. enough pot stirring now 21:34  |  Jude 16/03/08   2.   Netanyahu under attack 21:54  |  marcel 16/03/08   3.   What I don`t understand why couldn`t "hasbara" 22:44  |  Joe 16/03/08   4.   He used to 00:13  |  Sarale 17/03/08   5.   Mission impossible to justify Israel`s actions in Lebanon 00:20  |  Chanalau, Tova 17/03/08   6.   Knock Knock There`s an Enemy At Our Door 00:42  |  Dennis J. Solomon 17/03/08   7.   What I don`t understand why couldn`t "hasbara" 00:50  |  Joe 17/03/08   8.   ridiculous troublemakers 02:45  |  eddie 17/03/08   9.   as much as I dislike Natanyahu 04:42  |  sweis Melbourne 17/03/08   10.   Nethanyahu was on holiday in London 11:04  |  Chris Linthwaite 17/03/08   11.   Bibi`s next emergency London PR. trip. 13:23  |  Dangalil 17/03/08   12.   Joe 13:24  |  Purple Canary 17/03/08   13.   Storm in a teacup or smear campaign 14:14  |  Allan 17/03/08   14.   Bibi a gift? 14:51  |  JW 17/03/08   15.   # 9 - you obviously didn`t read the article .. 15:49  |  redmike 17/03/08   16.   redmike 17:45  |  sweis Melbourne 18/03/08   17.   #10 the ignorant LinTWAT 09:51  |  Joe Moer 19/03/08   18.   # 9 WE HAVE BUSH... 14:46  |  petra 19/03/08   19.   We`re all on the same side! 22:26  |  Motic 31/03/08

Today Online Settlers' council: We'll build with or without gov't okay Responses: 184 Yishai: Israel must negotiate with Hamas over Shalit release Responses: 114 Editorial: Peace talks, even on Jerusalem, must be secret Responses: 38 MK Swaid: Demolition of Arab homes will lead to an explosion Responses: 42 Rosner's Domain New Guest: Rabbis who don't officiate intermarriage should refer to rabbis who do Poll: What percentage of Jews will vote McCain? 38% for pressuring Palestinians, 25% for pressuring Israel (WTR) Can McCain get a boost from the new dovish Jewish lobby? More Headlines 21:34 Israeli kills Palestinian knifeman in attempted West Bank attack 21:54 Jerusalem council okays 600 new Jewish homes in Arab area 23:09 Amir Peretz to Ehud Barak: Who would want to vote for you? 19:59 IDF tracker charged with 'aiding Hezbollah in war against Israel' 16:30 Norway tries suspects in 2006 shooting at main Oslo synagogue 19:40 Clinton and Obama voters support Israel in similar numbers 20:06 Once a week, the gift of human dignity 21:28 Barak allots NIS 30M more for security in frontline communities 23:04 Law sets 3-year jail penalty for car-owners who go to mechanics in PA 14:37 Meshal: Shalit still alive; Yishai: We need swap talks with Hamas 18:52 Rights group demands gov't stop demolishing Bedouin homes 17:39 Mazuz rejects call to indict Netanyahu over London spending spree Previous Editions Select Day 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar 24 mar 23 mar 21 mar 20 mar 19 mar 18 mar 17 mar

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