Looks like Leviev tried to go a mall too far. Funny how his lot are like cockroaches who scurry for cover when a light is shined on them. What is it that Voltaire wrote about you English, that every now and then you have to make an example of someone on principle, "to encourage the others?"
Montag | 04.30.08 - 3:48 pm | #

If you read the full report from Gulf News, a Dubai government official states: "“Ebrahim said Israeli citizens were not allowed to operate in Dubai, adding that “precautionary measures” are taken to ensure that they do not. He added that Israeli businesses would be prevented from operating in Dubai through non-Israeli partners.”"

WRONG! Israeli diamonds have been selling well in Dubai with it’s Israeli representative being hosted very nicely there since 2006!

Israeli diamond traders find favor in Arab Dubai:
http://www.boston.com/news/world..._in_arab_dubai/

Israeli Diamond Exchange president Avi Paz says diamonds and hospitality flow freely between Israel and Dubai.

“We came there, they came here. There is no problem at all,” Paz said in Tel Aviv. “I wish that wherever I go, they’ll host me like they hosted me in Dubai.”

Officially at least, the Emirates still enforces some aspects of the Arab League’s boycott with Israel, although a government official said most restrictions were dropped long ago.

There are no direct flights to Israel and visitors traveling on Israeli passports are rarely allowed to enter”

Some people simply aren't getting their stories straight, as in the Dubai government official. This whole story is just sickening beyond words.
Robin | Homepage | 05.01.08 - 5:28 am | #

It's clear the official just made a decision because of the public pressure generated. If the public eye is taken off Dubai, or if there's not enough coverage following up, as the CNN reporter says, "who will win this one?"

As it stands, this is a huge win for the BDS movement -- stopping Leviev from building stores in Dubai, one in a landmark building. Pressure needs to stay on Dubai to make them understand they need to abide by their decision.
Hulkagaard | 05.01.08 - 7:18 am | #

CNN can check its facts and confirm that Leviev is in fact doing what his critics say he is doing.
Carol F. Yost | 05.01.08 - 7:34 am | #

Read here: In 2004 20 Israeli diamond specialists had visas obviously and canceled their trip to Dubai for the World Diamond Council Meeting in 2004
http:// www.professionaljeweler.c...32604story.html

That Dubai government official is covering up what has been going on for quite some time. Read this
http://www.fancydiamonds.net/Contact_us/
Fancy Diamonds
Leibish Polnauer & Co. LTD.
Israel Diamond Exchange
Yahalom bldg., suites 566-567
Ramat Gan, Israel 52520
Phone: 972-3-6132122
Fax: 972-3-6132422
info@fancydiamonds.net

US Office
Ishay Ben-David Corp.
580 Fifth Ave., Suite 906
New York, NY 10036
Toll free: 1-800-4110951
Phone: 212-9445441
Fax: 212-9445396
info@fancydiamonds.net

Dubai Office
Taradiam Middle East FZE.
3W/122 , West Wing,
Dubai Airport Free Zone
P.O.B. - 54432
Dubai
U.A.E.
Tel: 9714-2996781
Fax: 9714-2997335
bhawin@fancydiamonds.net

I just called the NY office. Where was this company founded, where are it's headquarters? ISRAEL. But notice their contact page only gives three locations. The entity selling them in Dubai is http://www.taradiam.com/contactu...tus/ default.asp

You do diamonds and there is no way to avoid Israel. Leviev is at the top of the diamond market. If you go to the Levant website, then go to locations, you will see that all the stores but one is named Levant, Leviev will have one store with his name, but he is a "store within a store" at the other Levant sites. I highly doubt that Leviev is not licensed, this govt official is just covering up what Adalah has uncovered in one case.

Is the Dubai government going to go after ALL these Israeli diamond dealers doing business there? Because the spokesman made it seem like it is an isolated case when it is not.
Robin | Homepage | 05.01.08 - 8:44 pm | #