Thursday 08 January 2009

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Billionaire mayoral candidate stirs controversy

Monday 10 November 2008

Arkadi Gaydamak, a Russian-Israeli tycoon on trial in absentia in France on suspicion of arms trafficking, is a celebrity in Israel. He wants to become Jerusalem's mayor, running on a short but ambitious election platform.

Monday 10 November 2008

By  -   (text) /   (video)

Widely popular in Israel, the Russian-Israeli tycoon Arcadi Gaydamak who lived in France, is a celebrity in the Holy Land.

 

Now he wants to become Jerusalem's mayor, running on a short but ambitious election platform. "I want to erase the conflict from Jerusalem, Israel and the entire world." Arcadi Gaydamak is relying on his notoriety to be elected and is not fazed by his critics.

 

To test his popularity, he heads to Jerusalem's main market. So certain is he that the tycoon has spent millions wooing Jerusalem's population; first a soccer team, then a hospital. "I'll be surprised if I get less than 70 percent of the vote. That would really surprise me."

 

With polls saying he'll only get no more than 10 percent, it's easy to find those who disagree with him. Miri, Jerusalem resident: "Because of his implication in illegitimate activities, we can't say where he got all of his money." 'Angolagate' raises its head again and making it hard for him to escape questions.

 

In France, Gaydamak is being tried in absentia on charges of arms dealing in Angola which he claims is all part of a conspiracy. “The only word for them is bastards ! Soon these French liars will be in prison… and I’m going to think about what to do in regards to their people here in Israel…”

 

Gaydamak is back on the campaign trail when an onlooker shouts at him, telling him off for not speaking Hebrew. He may have lived here for eight years but Gaydamak is still not really part of Israeli society.

 

Despite his attempt to conquer Jerusalem, Arcadi Gaydamak is a hunted individual. Israeli law officials have forbidden him to leave the country,


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