Calcalist Exclusive: Arthur Dantchik, the main donor of Forum Kohelet, stops financial support of the organization
Calcalist Exclusive: Arthur Dantchik, the main donor of Forum Kohelet, stops financial support of the organization
The American multi-billionaire is halting his donations to the organization behind the judicial coup: “When a society becomes dangerously fragmented, people must come together to preserve democracy”
Calcalist has exclusively learned that Jewish-American multi-billionaire, Arthur Dantchik, has announced that he is ceasing to donate to the "Forum Kohelet" - an ultra-conservative organization that defines itself as a "research institute" and is behind the judicial coup that is currently being promoted by the Netanyahu government. Sources close to Dantchik confirmed the news.
Forum Kohelet activities and recommendations are considered to be particularly influential on justice Minister Yariv Levin, and minister of finance Bezalel Smotrich, who belong to the right-wing parties in the coalition, and pushed to pass the coup in the government and the Knesset. Dantchik is the main donator to the lobbying organization, and is the founder and co-CEO of Susquehanna International Group, a multi-billion dollar financial services company. According to Forbes, Dantchik’'s fortune is estimated at about $7.5 billion and he is among the 100 richest people in the USA.
Danchik is also known in the business community for being an executive (member of the board of directors) at Bytedance - the Chinese parent company of the popular social media app "TikTok". According to Shomrim - center for media and democracy in Israel - Danchik is also behind at least 13 investments in Israeli high-tech companies, including Payoneer, Outbrain and eToro (in which minister Nir Barkat holds significant holdings).
This is not the first person associated with "Forum Kohelet" to disapprove of the judicial coup: Dr. Michael Sharal, who served as the chief economist at the Ministry of Finance and was the director of the forum's economic division, also explained that the package of bills that are included in the judicial coup could harm the Israeli economy.
Arthur Dantchik said in response to Calcalist: "Throughout my life, I have supported a diverse array of organizations that promote individual liberties and economic freedoms for all people. Nevertheless, when a society becomes dangerously fragmented, people must come together to preserve democracy. I stopped donating to think tanks in Israel, including the Kohelet Policy Forum. I believe what is most critical at this time is for Israel to focus on healing and national unity."
Sources close to Dantchik clarified that his business partner, Jeffrey Yass, who was mentioned in various reports as a donor to Kohelet, never donated to the organization. Danrchik has contributed over the years to organizations with diverse opinions, including the Hartman Institute.
First published: 12:12, 04.08.23
