Willie Nagel

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Willie Nagel is an Israeli international diamond merchant who has been a large political funder of Labour and Conservative candidates, political events and think tanks. In 2007, he was the main funder for Peter Hain's campaign for the Labour deputy leadership.[1] This took the form of a £5,000 donation and £25,000 loan which was channelled through the myserious Progressive Policy Forum[2]. It is claimed that Nagel did not know that his donation and loan had gone to Hain[3]. According to The Independent on Sunday, 'Hatton Garden trader' Nagel's relationship with Hain began in about 2001, when Hain was a Foreign Office minister who put Nagel 'in charge of cleaning up the industry'[4]. Nagel is reported to have 'worked closely' with Hain (whilst Hain served as minister for Africa) to develop 'the Kimberley process of certificates to halt the trade in conflict diamonds'[5]. The Evening Standard reports that Nagel acted as 'the contact person between diamond dealers and Peter Hain'[6].

Nagel is reported to have 'sent 20,000 to John Major's Conservative constituency association' (sometime around 1997). Whilst he had no connection to the constituency he was however then invited to 'go on a prestigious trade mission to Israel and Jordan with the prime minister'[7].

The Independent states that Nagel 'has a history of trying to influence politicians'. As well as having donated £20,000 to John Major's Conservative constituency association and his subsequent invitation to Israel and Jordan, the Independent claims to have leaked correspondence which shows that Nagel 'attempted to interest Mr Major in an unmanned aircraft developed by Israel, even though there was an arms embargo for Israeli equipment at the time' [8].

The Sunday Times reports that Nagel is also known as the 'doyen of de Beers'[9]

Nagel was born in Romania and in 1949, he came to the UK 'after spending several years in pre-state Palestine'[10].

Business connections

Ha'aretz reports:

In 1993 Nagel expanded into communications, investing in Keshet. It was company founder and broadcaster Alex Giladi who convinced Nagel to make the move. "We met in London, and Alex, who was then looking for investors because he didn't have enough, suggested I invest in Keshet," Nagel recalls. "It was a good opportunity. I was always interested in media, and so I agreed." Nagel does not volunteer details, but there is no doubt the investment was a successful one. He plunked nearly $1 million, and the company has given him tens of millions of shekels in profits... The other key partners in Keshet are Moshe Wertheim, Haim Saban, Bank Leumi and Alex Giladi. Nagel, unlike the others, is not particularly active in running the company. Nor was he involved in recent intrigues, such as the attempt by Keshet and [fellow Channel 2 franchisee] Reshet shareholders to appoint Rafi Ginat to manage the news company.
Nagel holds his shares in Keshet through Punchline, a lobbying and media investment company which operates mainly in Britain and Germany. The main venue through which Nagel directs his businesses is W. Nagel International Diamond Brokers, headquartered in London's diamond district. He also tried to become involved in facilitating the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.[11]

Affiliations

According to the Jewish Chronicle, Nagel is a member of St John’s Wood Synagogue. He is also a previous vice-chairman of Israel Bonds UK, was involved in a 'major role' with the Balfour Diamond Jubilee Trust and the British Overseas Trade Group for Israel. The report continues that he 'is also a life-long supporter of both the Labour and Conservative Friends of Israel and appears regularly in the JC “Guest List” pages alongside leading Israeli and communal figures'[13].

Nagel is also reported to have 'links' with Margaret Thatcher[14].

Contact, References and Resources

Contact

Resources

References

  1. ↑ Ben Russell, The diamond dealer whose donations have proved awkward for both parties, The Independent, 17 January 2008.
  2. ↑ Brady, B. (2008) 'I've done nothing wrong,' Peter Hain insists, as he battles for his political lifeThe Independent 13th January 2008. Accessed 4th April 2008
  3. ↑ Pierce, A. (2008) 'Why he fell Spending spree that sent Hain's career into a tailspin' The Daily Telegraph. 25th January 2008.
  4. ↑ The Independent on Sunday. 'The PR man, the diamond broker and the drugs boss'. 13th January 2008
  5. ↑ Grimston, J., Woolf, M. & Gadher, D. (2008) 'THE DONORS: FROM DIAMOND BROKER TO DEMOLITION MAN'. The Sunday Times 13th January 2008
  6. ↑ MURPHY, J., BEATTIE, J. & CECIL, N. (2008) 'Hain's job on line over secret cash; Campaign took funds from tycoons he dealt with as a minister'. The Evening Standard 22th January 2008.
  7. ↑ Guardian Unlimited 'Absurd' Hain called on to resign'. January 14th 2008
  8. ↑ Smith, A.W. (2008) 'Frankly, I don't believe a word Peter Hain says'. The The Independent. 14th January 2008
  9. ↑ Grimston, J., Woolf, M. & Gadher, D. (2008) 'THE DONORS: FROM DIAMOND BROKER TO DEMOLITION MAN'. The Sunday Times 13th January 2008
  10. ↑ Josephs, B. (2008) 'Labour donor calls Hain row ‘rubbish’'. The Jewish Chronicle. 17th January 2008
  11. ↑ Yossi Melman I coulda been a diplomat Haaretz, Last update - 13:02 25/06/2007
  12. ↑ Smith, A.W. (2008) 'Frankly, I don't believe a word Peter Hain says'. The The Independent. 14th January 2008
  13. ↑ Josephs, B. (2008) 'Labour donor calls Hain row ‘rubbish’'. The Jewish Chronicle. 17th January 2008
  14. ↑ MURPHY, J., BEATTIE, J. & CECIL, N. (2008) 'Hain's job on line over secret cash; Campaign took funds from tycoons he dealt with as a minister'. The Evening Standard 22th January 2008.
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