Labor MK raises hefty sums from US millionaires

Nachman Shai follows in footsteps of PM Netanyahu, who raised more than a million shekels from several wealthy Americans.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
Labor party leader Isaac Herzog speaks as Hatnua head Tzipi Livni listens at the College of Management Academic Studies in Rishon Lezion, January 7, 2015 (photo credit: COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT STUDENT ASSOCIATION)
Labor party leader Isaac Herzog speaks as Hatnua head Tzipi Livni listens at the College of Management Academic Studies in Rishon Lezion, January 7, 2015
(photo credit: COLLEGE OF MANAGEMENT STUDENT ASSOCIATION)
Labor MK Nachman Shai succeeded in attracting NIS 140,800 in campaign contributions for next Tuesday’s party primary, mostly from prominent American Jewish leaders, according to the website of the state comptroller.
He received large donations from Minnesota Vikings owner Mark Wilf, Chicago philanthropist Richard Wexler, Milken Family Foundation executive director Richard Sandler, and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev American Associates executive director Doron Krakow.
Shai followed in the footsteps of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who raised more than a million shekels from several wealthy Americans, including Duty Free America owners the Falic family of Florida, and Jay Schottenstein of Columbus, Ohio, who owns the American Eagle clothing chain.
By contrast, Labor MK Stav Shaffir took a very different approach. She raised nearly NIS 200,000, almost entirely from small contributions. She has received 1,111 donations, mostly between NIS 50 and NIS 100.
Shai and Shaffir will be among 36 candidates seeking slots on the Labor list in the primary.
Labor’s 48,904 members will be eligible to vote from 10 a.m.
to 10 p.m. at 400 polling stations in 76 locations around the country.
They will each choose eight to 10 candidates among the 36.
The winners will be revealed at a press conference the following morning.
Labor chairman Isaac Herzog attacked Netanyahu for spreading blame for the nation’s woes in a speech at the College of Management in Rishon Lezion.
Herzog held up a report card full or failing grades.
“If Netanyahu was a student, he would have failed in handling security and the economy, but he would do well in making excuses,” Herzog said.
“As a citizen and as a parent, I am ashamed of Netanyahu trying to avoid being blamed for the country’s problems.”
Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid also attacked Netanyahu on Wednesday, saying “Either he’s lying or he doesn’t know what’s going on. Either option is scary.”


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