'We must use every opportunity to explain that there are only few Muslims against us.' Mashkevich
Photo: Raanan Ben-Zur
Kazakh billionaire: Most Muslims not against us
Alexander Mashkevich, responsible for huge donations to Jewish communities in country, said he prefers to donate towards social issues, will consider investing in business in Israel
Jewish billionaire Alexander Mashkevich, who is responsible for large donations to Jewish communities in Khazakstan and Israel, promised that, if he finds an appealing project, he will invest funds in Israel. Mashkevich spoke in a press conference in Kazakhstan and said that he prefers to invest in social issues in Israel, as opposed to business issues.
Mashkevich is considered to be one of the most notable Soviet-Jewish businessmen in the world, with a net worth comparable to that of Arkadi Gaydamak and Lev Leviev. Despite his vast fortune, Mashkevich has abstained thus far from investing money in Israeli business, and preferred to donate funds to welfare and social issues.
At a press conference in the Chabad-run synagogue in Kazakhstan's capital of Astana, which he donated the money to build, the billionaire said "if there will be a project that personally interests me in Israel, I will invest in it. I prefer to invest in Israeli society, and not conduct business affairs."
'Extreme minority distorts reality'
He refrained from mentioning the size of a possible donation, saying "what's important is what I feel in my heart towards Israel, and not the money."
Mashkevich is considered a close acquaintance of the Kazakh president, and was present during the interfaith conference that took place in the city. According to Mashkevich, the conference was intended to bring together people of all faiths, including Israel.
"Ninety-nine percent of Muslims have nothing against the Jews," he said. "The thing is that there is an extreme minority that distorts reality and incites against the Jews."
"There are countries such as Morocco and Turkey, which are Muslim countries that are not against us. We must use every opportunity to explain that there are only few Muslims against us, and need to organize a campaign of our own so that the average Muslim citizen will see and understand," he continued, noting Kazakhstan as a Muslim nation in which anti-Semitism is not prevalent due to a clear government policy on the issue.
Mashkevich added that he tried to become involved in the issue of the kidnapped soldiers, and even appealed to the Kazakh president and foreign ministry to appeal to Iran and try to lead to the release of the soldiers.
