Seth A. Klarman
Overview
Seth Klarman is a "Boston-based pro-Israel billionaire."[1] The journalist Max Blumenthal describes Klarman as "one of the pro-Israel community’s most prolific financial angels and also one of its most ideologically hardline."[2] He reports:
"Klarman became one of the world’s richest people through the Baupost Group, a Boston-based hedge fund he founded that is now worth upwards of $20 billion. With his philanthropic foundation, Klarman emerged in the past five years as one of the pro-Israel lobby’s most aggressive funders."
Views
Politically, Klarman is reportedly on the hawkish right of the pro-Israel spectrum.[2] In an op-ed co-authored with Charles Jacob of The David Project, Klarman argued that "there is a new assault on the world's Jews," based on "hatred for Israel" and its supporters. It is promoted, he wrote, by "Islamic anti-Semitism" on the one hand, and Western "Palestinianism" -- sympathy for the Palestinians' plight by "Western radicals" -- on the other. In the West today, "hostility to Jews" manifests primarily as criticism of Israel.[3]
Activities
Klarman funds many pro-Israel lobby groups, including The David Project (of which he is also co-Chair); The Israel Project; Scholars for Peace in the Middle East; Birthright Israel, Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, Ir David, Middle East Media Research Institute and the American Jewish Committee.[2][1]
The 'Wedge' strategy
Unusually, Klarman also funds American Islamic and Palestinian organisations, with the aim, Max Blumenthal argues, of driving "a wedge through mainstream Muslim-American organizing".[2]
The American Islamic Congress was heavily funded by Klarman; it refused to engage with mainstream Muslim civil rights groups and forbade "members of its student arm, Project Nur, from discussing Palestine-related issues on campus."[2]
Klarman also funded the American Islamic Forum for Democracy. It is led by Zuhdi Jasser, "an Arizona-based physician and practicing Muslim who served as the key protagonist of the anti-Muslim propaganda film, The Third Jihad."[2] The Klarman Family Foundation donated $150,000 to the AIFD between 2011 and 2012.[4]
Another recipient of Klarman donations is the American Task Force for Palestine (ATFP), a group that has been widely criticised for lending support to US and Israeli measures that in fact work against Palestinians interests.[2] According to ATFP senior fellow Hussein Ibish, Klarman's financial support for the group amounts to a single donation of $10,000 at the 2011 ATFP Annual Gala.[5]
Affiliations
- The David Project (funder; co-Chair)
- The Israel Project (main funder)
- American Task Force for Palestine (funder)
- American Islamic Congress (funder)
- American Islamic Forum (funder)
- Scholars for Peace in the Middle East (funder)
- Birthright Israel (funder)
- Washington Institute for Near East Policy (funder)
- Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (funder)
- Ir David (funder)
- Middle East Media Research Institute (funder)
- American Jewish Committee (funder)
- Baupost Group (founder)
- Klarman Family Foundation (funding vehicle)
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Max Blumenthal, "Weddady’s Free Arabs, American Islamic Congress and the pro-Israel funders who helped them rise," Electronic Intifada, 7 May 2013
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Max Blumenthal, "American Task Force on Palestine finds funding from anti-Palestinian billionaire and a repressive monarchy," Mondoweiss, 27 Nov 2013
- ↑ Charles Jacobs and Seth A. Klarman, "Jews Are Under Siege: A Call For Action," accessed on 28 Nov 2013
- ↑ Data retrieved from filings of Form 990s 2011 - 2012.
- ↑ Hussein Ibish, Tweet, made at 28 Nov 2013 at 02:37; accessed on 28 Nov 2013 at 16:27; Hussein Ibish, Tweet, made on 28 Nov 2013 at 02:37; accessed on 28 Nov 2013 at 16:29
