by ir » Sat Jan 21, 2006 12:54 am
Haaretz today - shimon peres received possibly illegal contribution from a former Israeli now Swiss millionnaire called Bruce (Baruch) Rapaport. Haaretz further reminds us that Rapaport was investigated by FBI in 1988, re the indictment of Mease Edward. It is an interesting story, about the Bachtel oil pipeline in Iraq, and how Wallach (indicted with Mease), was hired by Rapaport to make sure the deal goes through and how Rapaport secured Peres' written promise that Israel does not attack the pipeline. At the same time Rapaport gave donations to Peres and labor party. THe FBI was trying to interrogate Rapaport about the written letter from Peres (which copies they had from wallach and Mease) but he avoided the investigation, as foreign national, and preferred not to come to the USA for several years. the FBI didn't go after Peres of course, its not of their business. <br>--<br>This reminded me of the threads here on PROMIS/MEASE connections. Seems like the same bunch.<br><br>This Bruce Rapaport, who presents himself as a businessman born in Haifa, apparently was charged with inbezzlement in Israel, while working for a sick fund (for the Labor party), had to run away from Israel to avoid justice, and became a rich millionnaire. He is one of the heavy donors to Labor and other medical and research institutions. <br><br>The State Umbudsman is now investigating how come Peres received money from him in violation of the law of elections in 2004. In addition, it turned out the Peres received meaningful donations from Haim Saban an Israeli now American millionnaire, with possible connections to him winning the bid on Bezeq, Israel's privatized former state owned communication corp. <br><br>It appears that Peres has his hands everywhere, but is still getting a backup from the White House. (this is why I was asking about his meeting with Ms. Rice, while he has no formal capacity here at this stage).<br><br> <p></p><i></i>