Arcadi Gaydamak: The Enigmatic Life of a Businessman, Philanthropist, and Political Figure
Biography of Arcadi Gaydamak
Arcadi Aleksandrovich Gaydamak, born on April 8, 1952, in
Moscow, USSR, is a Russian-born French-Israeli businessman, philanthropist, and
President of the Congress of Jewish Religious Communities and Organizations of
Russia (KEROOR).
Gaydamak's contributions and efforts during the 1990s,
particularly in the War in Bosnia, earned him prestigious awards such as the
French Ordre national du Mérite and the Ordre du Mérite agricole for his
actions in rescuing personnel. With citizenship in Israel, Canada, France, and
Russia, along with a diplomatic passport from Angola, Gaydamak's international
identity reflects his diverse background and global connections.
At the height of his career in 2007, Gaydamak's net worth
was estimated to be between $700 million and $4 billion USD. However, a series
of lawsuits, failed investments, and the global economic crisis in 2008 led to
a significant decline in his net worth.
Arcadi Gaydamak: A Journey from Moscow to Israel
Arcadi Gaydamak was born in Moscow, the capital of the USSR,
and at the age of 20, he became one of the earliest Jewish immigrants to move
to Israel from the Soviet Union during Leonid Brezhnev's era. Upon arrival, he
obtained Israeli citizenship and settled in Kibbutz Beit HaShita, where he
immersed himself in the local community and studied Hebrew at an ulpan.
Initially intending to serve in the Israeli Army, Gaydamak's
plans took a different turn, leading him to relocate to France instead. There,
he established a translation bureau, leveraging his language skills and
entrepreneurial spirit to build a new life in a foreign land.
Expansion and International Ventures
After establishing Gaydamak Translations in France, Arcadi
Gaydamak expanded his business endeavors by opening a branch in Canada in 1982.
During this period, he ventured into import and export activities, marking the
beginning of his international business ventures.
Following the collapse of the USSR, Gaydamak seized
opportunities to cultivate connections in Russia and Kazakhstan. This period
saw him establish various business entities across Europe, further expanding his
global network and influence.
Personal Life and Multilingual Skills
Gaydamak resides in Caesarea, Israel, where he owns a home.
He is married to Irene Tzirolnicova, with whom he has three children. Fluent in
Russian, French, and English, Gaydamak also possesses basic proficiency in
Portuguese and Hebrew.
Return to Russia and Citizenship Pursuit
In December 2008, Gaydamak returned to Russia, settling in Moscow. Subsequently, in February 2009, reports emerged indicating his intention to regain Russian citizenship, which he had lost upon emigrating to Israel decades earlier.
Arcadi Gaydamak: Diverse Investments Across Continents
Arcadi Gaydamak's investment portfolio spans across
continents and encompasses a wide array of industries, showcasing his diverse
business interests and global reach. In France and Israel, Gaydamak ventured
into real estate, establishing a presence in both countries' property markets.
Additionally, he invested in Kazphosphate, the world's largest phosphate
producer, and expanded his investments to include a gold mine and a metal
processing plant in Kazakhstan.
Media Ventures and Expansion
Gaydamak's investment prowess extended to media, with
ownership stakes in the Russian weekly publication Moskovskiye Novosti.
Furthermore, he diversified his investments into food distribution in Russia
and acquired interests in oil fields and granaries in Angola.
Extensive Investments in Israel
In Israel, Gaydamak's investments were notably extensive and
rapid, earning him celebrity status during the mid-2000s. His assets included
ownership of the Bikur Holim hospital in Jerusalem, the Beitar Jerusalem
football club, a significant stake in Africa Israel Holdings, and ownership of
the 99FM radio station. These investments garnered widespread attention in
Israel and were frequently covered in the local media, solidifying Gaydamak's
reputation as a prominent figure in the country's business landscape.
Founding a Party for Social Issue
In February 2007, Arcadi Gaydamak observed the social
challenges facing Israel and decided to take action. He established a party
focused on addressing socio-economic issues, naming it Social Justice. While
initially formed as a social movement, Gaydamak expressed openness to
transforming it into a political party if necessary. By the end of 2007, there
were discussions about the party participating in the upcoming municipal
elections in 2008.
Arcadi Gaydamak: The Enigmatic Life of a Businessman, Philanthropist, and Political Figure / Biography of Arcadi Gaydamak
Mayoral Run in Jerusalem
In November 2008, Gaydamak decided to run for mayor of
Jerusalem. Despite his efforts, his party did not secure any seats on the city
council. Throughout his campaign, Gaydamak actively sought support from the
Palestinian community in East Jerusalem. He engaged with prominent Palestinian
figures, including the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Muhammad Ahmad Hussein, and
other political leaders and media outlets. Gaydamak's outreach efforts led to
significant attention and almost an endorsement from the Palestinian community.
Arcadi Gaydamak's Ventures in Sports Clubs and Media Ownership
In July 2005, Arcadi Gaydamak took a significant step into
the world of sports sponsorship by becoming the sponsor of the Hapoel Jerusalem
basketball team. Shortly after, he demonstrated his commitment to supporting
diversity in sports by donating $400,000 to the Israeli Arab Bnei Sakhnin
football club. On the same day, Gaydamak announced the acquisition of a 55%
ownership stake in Beitar Jerusalem, a prominent football club. Within two
days, he completed the purchase of full ownership of the club. Alongside his
involvement in sports, Gaydamak is actively engaged in philanthropy as the
patron of several Jewish charities and serves as the president of the Congress
of Jewish Religious Communities and Organizations of Russia (KEROOR), a
prestigious Jewish umbrella group in Russia.
Ownership of Portsmouth F.C. and Family Influence
In January 2006, Gaydamak's son, Alexandre Gaydamak,
acquired Portsmouth F.C. from Milan Mandarić. However, the ownership of the
football club changed hands in 2009 when Gaydamak sold it to Ali al-Faraj.
Despite the change in ownership, Gaydamak's influence in the club remained
significant. In the summer of 2008, it was officially confirmed by the Premier
League that Alexandre Gaydamak was the owner of Portsmouth F.C., further
highlighting the family's involvement in the football industry.
Expansion into Media Ownership
In March 2006, Gaydamak expanded his media empire by
acquiring the French newspaper France Soir through his company Moscow News.
This acquisition followed his purchase of the Russian newspaper Moskovskie
Novosti in 2004. Upon acquiring Moskovskie Novosti, Gaydamak implemented
significant changes, including the dismissal of senior journalists and a shift
in the paper's editorial stance to align with pro-government sentiments.
Gaydamak's foray into media ownership underscores his diversified business
interests and his influence in shaping public discourse through media
platforms.
Attempted Acquisition of Tiv Taam Supermarket Chain
In June 2007, Arcadi Gaydamak initiated negotiations to
purchase the non-kosher supermarket chain Tiv Taam. Reports surfaced indicating
his intention to enforce Jewish religious practices in the stores, including
closing them on Shabbat and discontinuing the sale of pork products. However,
shortly after the negotiations began, the deal collapsed, leading to legal
disputes and resulting in a lawsuit.
Transition of Ownership at Beitar Jerusalem
In July 2009, Arcadi Gaydamak made a significant
announcement regarding the ownership of Beitar Jerusalem. He revealed his
decision to relinquish ownership of the football club in favor of Itzik
Kornfein and Guma Aguiar. Under this arrangement, Kornfein would oversee player
acquisitions and sales, while Aguiar would be responsible for financing the
club.
Philanthropic Contributions in Israel
Generous Philanthropy in Israel
Arcadi Gaydamak has made significant donations to various
Israeli organizations, demonstrating his commitment to philanthropy. Among the
beneficiaries of his generosity are Magen David Adom and Hatzolah.
Additionally, he pledged a substantial sum of $50 million to the Jewish Agency
for Israel, although he later withdrew this offer. Ultimately, Gaydamak donated
$10 million to the cause.
Humanitarian Aid During Conflict
During the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, Gaydamak took
proactive measures to support those affected by the crisis. He established a
tent village on the Nitzanim beach, providing shelter to thousands of families
who had fled the rocket-stricken North and had nowhere else to go. Gaydamak's
contributions during this period amounted to a remarkable $15 million,
averaging approximately $500,000 per day. Furthermore, in November 2006, he
organized and funded a one-week vacation in Eilat for hundreds of residents
from Sderot, a city that had endured numerous rocket attacks from Gaza,
offering them respite and relief from the ongoing conflict.
French Government Citations for Heroic Actions
Arcadi Gaydamak was honored by the French government with
two prestigious citations: the Chevalier de l'Ordre national du Mérite and the
Ordre du Mérite agricole. These recognitions were awarded in acknowledgment of
Gaydamak's pivotal role in rescuing two French pilots captured during the War
in Bosnia in the 1990s, as well as two French intelligence officers who were
held captive by rebel factions in the Caucasus region. Due to the classified
nature of these operations, the citations cited Gaydamak's contribution to
agriculture as a cover. Former French interior minister Charles Pasqua
confirmed this arrangement, revealing that President Jacques Chirac personally
authorized the citations.
