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Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire who is "fiercely opposed to the two-state solution" (Tess Schaflan/Jini) Sheldon Adelson - Jewish philanthropist or meddler in Israel's affairs? By Haaretz Service Tags: Ehud Olmert, Sheldon Adelson  A New Yorker profile of Sheldon Adelson, the American Jew born into poverty who became the third richest person in the United States, paints a portrait of a pro-Israel Republican hardliner, who has even invested heavily in an Israeli newspaper in a bid to propel Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu back into the PM's seat. The article explores Adelson's rise, the riches he has garnered from his casinos in Las Vegas and Macao, his switch from Democrat to Republican, and his efforts to halt the Middle East peace process, ostensibly by ousting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Adelson is "fiercely opposed to the two-state solution," the article says, going on to claim that he and former ally Olmert fell out over the latter's decision to move ahead with peace talks with the Palestinians. According to the New Yorker, for Adelson this was "a betrayal of principle." Advertisement His long-held desire to see Netanyahu back in charge (the Likud leader was thrashed by Labor Party chief Ehud Barak in the 1999 general elections) was intensified by Olmert's actions. To that end, the article says, Adelson invested heavily in the new daily newspaper Yisrael Hayom (Israel Today), known in Israeli media circles as "Bibi-ton" - a combination of Netanyahu's nickname (Bibi) and the Hebrew word for newspaper (iton). The article quotes an unnamed academic, who says that "the paper's objective is to make Bibi Netanyahu prime minister." Yisrael Hayom, the New Yorker says, has long been filled with "anti-Olmert articles." The paper, for its part, wrote to the prime minister, claiming that its reporters are "discriminated against in various ways by Olmert's office." Olmert's media adviser, according to the New Yorker, dismissed the claim as "ridiculous." But the article also highlights Adelson's philanthropy, which it says has given him "stature" in Israel. It cites his massive donations to birthright - a program which brings young Diaspora Jews to Israel to put them in touch with their Jewish roots - as well as his $25 million gift to the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum, and the $3 million cash injection he handed over for the May 2008 conference organized by President Shimon Peres to mark Israel's 60th anniversary. It does, however, point out that this latter gesture was met with some condemnation in Israel. It quotes veteran journalist Nachum Barnea of Yedioth Ahronoth as saying that, "I saw a gambling tycoon from Las Vegas who bought my country's birthday with three million dollars. I thought with sorrow: Is the country worth so very little? Were the champagne, wine and sushi that were given out for free in the lobby -breaking convention for such events - worth the humiliation?" The subject of Adelson, according to the article, is met with a wall of silence in Israel. Even, it says "people who are diametrically opposed to his politics refuse to be interviewed." But still, as Adelson himself is quoted by the article as saying, "everybody wants to deal with me." You can read the full article here More Jewish World news and features Bookmark to del.icio.us   Terror in the capital A Palestinian rammed his bulldozer into a bus in Jerusalem, killing three. Poetic injustice Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish blends sarcasm and hope in his latest work.   1.   use him, but be wary. 23:23  |  frenz 29/06/08   2.   Philanthropy and influence typically go hand in hand 23:52  |  David G 29/06/08   3.   Ridiculous 23:53  |  guy 29/06/08   4.   Beilin 23:57  |  ron 29/06/08   5.   What about S. Daniel Abraham 00:43  |  Joe Klien 30/06/08   6.   Adelson is right 03:41  |  Rabbi Yakov Lazaros 30/06/08   7.   To the Haaretz Censor 05:32  |  Rabbi Yakov Lazarios 30/06/08   8.   Israel Should Be So Thankful That There are Still a Few Like Him 05:59  |  Tod Zuckerman 30/06/08   9.   meddler 06:06  |  colin 30/06/08   10.   in essence; he`s but a rich "puppeteer"...(2nd try) 06:15  |  eric 30/06/08   11.   Dangerous too influencial people and their cronies 17:17  |  Ulf 30/06/08   12.   #6 So many labels... 17:22  |  Ulf 30/06/08   13.   george Soros-Jewish philanthropist or meddler in Israel`s affairs 12:05  |  nina 01/07/08   14.   he gives money he has rights.ALSO HE IS MUCH SMARTER THAN OLMERT 16:44  |  JOSH 01/07/08   15.   UNMASKED Shell 18:16  |  Dick 01/07/08   16.   new yorker article 18:42  |  J Talkowsky 01/07/08   17.   Life peerage? 21:00  |  Sherlock Holmes 01/07/08   18.   meddler in jewish affairs? how about haaretz! 21:10  |  John Fairchild 01/07/08   19.   GOD BLESS MEN LIKE SHELDON ADELSON 06:44  |  hal tripp 02/07/08   20.   # 18 to john fairchild in CONNECTICUT 08:25  |  eric 02/07/08   21.   # 13 I mentioned george soros, nina; NOT haaretz! 09:43  |  eric 02/07/08   22.   only progressive publications are allowed foreign funding 15:33  |  Leon Rosgarten 02/07/08   23.   eric: absolutely correct about George Soros. 09:01  |  S 03/07/08   24.   #22 Cite your references Leon... 09:41  |  eric 03/07/08   25.   # 23 Hello "S", my good friend! 12:51  |  eric 03/07/08

Read & React Two teachers among the dead in Jerusalem attack Responses: 56 ANALYSIS / Terrorist or petty criminal run amok? Responses: 66 Ari Shavit: Strike on Iran is good for Israel and U.S. in long run Responses: 25 Reuven Rivlin: Talkbackers, not security services, are setting Israeli policy Responses: 10 Obama enlists Jewish lawmakers in outreach effort Responses: 14 Rosner's Domain The rules have changed! Klein still alive! (WTR) Why do Arabs support Hamas over Fatah? New poll: Do you believe Israel might attack Iran? Israel's image still under renovation The possibility of an Israeli air strike on Iran (WTR) More Headlines 11:38 Baby's mother killed by Jerusalem terrorist who was shot, but kept going 12:40 Vice Premier: Parts of East Jerusalem should be severed from capital 12:18 How many missiles will be fired from Iran, Syria, Lebanon in the next war? 08:33 Nasrallah: Our report contains firm conclusion on Ron Arad's fate 04:26 Canny politician / Nasrallah closes a deal 11:47 Obama enlists Jewish lawmakers in outreach effort 09:11 On Jaffa Road, the tragedy will soon be overcome 09:09 ANALYSIS / Terrorist or petty criminal run amok? 10:09 Ramat Hasharon teen charged with murder in 2006 death of lawyer 06:39 Coalition backs IDF widows right to remarry 19:48 U.S. army chief: Israeli strike on Iran would destabilize Mideast 05:18 Gaydamak loses top business manager after just 6 months Previous Editions Select Day 02 jul 01 jul 30 jun 29 jun 27 jun 26 jun 25 jun 24 jun 23 jun 22 jun 20 jun 19 jun

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