Casino Magnate Sheldon Adelson Pooh-Poohs BDS in Business Sector: ‘I’m Not Concerned About People With Money Pulling Out’ of Israeli Banks, Companies
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by Shiryn Ghermezian
Sheldon Adelson attended the FIDF gala on Tuesday night in New York City. Photo: Algemeiner.
Jewish philanthropist Sheldon Adelson said on Tuesday night that he is not concerned about the divestment of pension funds from Israeli banks and companies.
“It’s not happening because the BDS [movement] is not effective,” he said, during the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) National New York Gala at the Waldorf Astoria. “They are effective in trying to discourage students on campuses, but they’re not effective in getting companies. We’re more effective in getting states in the US to prohibit the joining of BDS from any company in a particular state…I’m not concerned about people with money pulling out.”
The casino magnate and his wife — who is originally from Israel — were honored with the FIDF’s inaugural Defenders of Israel award for their contributions and support for a variety of causes in the US and Israel.
In June 2015, South Carolina became the first US state to pass a bill that bans public entities from contracting with companies that boycott “based on race, color, religion, gender or national origin.” Illinois lawmakers passed similar legislation a month earlier.
