Lev Leviev Blood Diamonds

SR Editor — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:01:06 +0000

By Rose H.

On Saturday 13th December a number of ISM activists braved the rain and cold, took to the streets and voiced their opposition to Lev Leviev and his blood diamonds which finance the illegal Israeli settlement expansion into the Palestinian territories.

Located on the upmarket Old Bond Street in the West End of London, activists stood out against a backdrop of designer boutiques. Despite innitial opposition by Leviev's security guards, management and police officers, the demonstration went ahead undeterred. Activists shouted various chants, read out facts about Leviev's human rights abuses and war crimes, distributed leaflets and spoke with members of the public about Leviev's more sinister activities. Activists wanted to raise awareness that the shine of the diamonds can't take away from the darkness of his abuses. Even the security guards took an interest and it was suggested they find an alternative company they could be proud to work for.

Nonetheless, activists had successfully deterred potential customers, with no one during the entire time of their presence even entertaining the idea of entering the store.

Activists hope the protest will pave the way for future actions to maintain the pressure against Leviev, and show solidarity with the New York and Dubai activists protesting the Leviev stores there as well as all other activists involved in the anti-Leviev campaign.

Background info:

Lev Leviev commits a compendium of human rights abuses ranging from supporting the oppressive Angolan Dos Santos regime which is renowned for its corruption, lack of transparency and violence, owning diamond mines which employ private security firms known to beat, whip and sexually abuse employees, through to purchasing rubies from Burma which supports the military junta and directly financing the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements. As part of the Jewish Land Redemption Fund, Leviev finances the expansion of Mattityahu East in Modi'in Illit, Zufim, Maale Adumim and Har Homa. All of these are in violation of International Law as set down in the Fourth Geneva Convention and the position is further supported by both the UN and the international Court of Justice. The theft of Palestinian land leads to the impoverishment and subjugation of Palestinian people and violent oppression against Palestinian non-violent resistance.

Dubai False Promise: Leviev Alive!

Haitham Sabbah — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 17:42:55 +0000

Despite Ban, Leviev to Sell Jewelry at Grand Opening of Atlantis Hotel in Dubai
Unconfirmed Report says Leviev to Attend Atlantis Opening

Adalah-NY has learned that the jewelry of Israeli billionaire and settlement-builder Lev Leviev will be on sale at this week's gala opening of the luxury hotel Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai. Despite Leviev's on-going construction of Israeli settlements and claims by United Arab Emirates officials that Leviev would receive no license to sell his jewelry there, the New York-based human rights coalition Adalah-NY has confirmed that Leviev's jewelry will be on sale at the Atlantis branch of the Levant Jewelry chain on the fabled Palm Jumeirah island.

Adalah-NY has also heard from a Dubai source that Leviev will attend the grand opening events in person, but the group has been unable to corroborate this report. A press release on the Atlantis web site claims that the opening gala, set for November 20-21st, "will culminate in a giant fireworks display," and that guests will include "prominent CEO's, business leaders, politicians, actors and musicians and members of the Dubai Royal family."

Adalah-NY has obtained photos (see below) of Leviev jewelry prominently displayed in the windows of the Levant store at the Atlantis, with Leviev's name and logo prominently printed on display cases. Leviev's jewelry and logo are featured at the Levant store at the Al Qasr Hotel. Leviev notes Dubai as a store location on the front of his Madison Avenue boutique in New York, and in recent Leviev ads in the New York Times.

(Click image to enlarge)

Prior to an advocacy campaign by Adalah-NY and Jews Against the Occupation-NYC, Leviev had announced plans to open in Dubai two Leviev stores and sell his products in a third store in partnership with his local partner, Arif Ben-Khadra, who is of Palestinian-Moroccan origin. Subsequently, in an April 30 article in Dubai's Gulf News, Ali Ebrahim, Deputy Director General for Executive Affairs in Dubai, said Leviev would not be able to do business in Dubai. "We are aware of these reports and have not granted a trade licence to any business of this name. If such an application does come to us we will deal with it accordingly," said Ebrahim. Further, Ebrahim told the paper that Israeli citizens were not allowed to do business in Dubai, and that "precautionary measures" made sure of that. Ebrahim further implied Leviev would not be able to do business through a localpartner. "There are no loopholes," he said. "We check backgrounds of businesses that apply."

Leviev built his enormous fortune trading diamonds with Apartheid-era South Africa. His company mines diamonds in partnership with the repressive Angolan government. New York Magazine reported in 2007 that in Angola, "A security company contracted by Leviev was accused... of participating in practices of â€˜humiliation, whipping, torture, sexual abuse, and, in some cases, assassinations.'" Also, according to the diamond industry watchdog Partnership Africa Canada (PDF file), Angola and Leviev have failed to fully comply with the Kimberley Process.

In the West Bank, Leviev's companies build Israeli-only settlements such as Ma'aleh Adumim, Mattityahu East and Zufim on stolen Palestinian land. According to Stop the Wall, Leviev is currently expanding Zufim settlement by 45 housing units on land owned by the village of Jayyous (see photo). Jayyous continues to hold non-violent protests against the confiscation of their land. All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law. UNICEF and Oxfam have both rejected support from Leviev due to his human rights violations, and the British government is under pressure to pull put of a deal to rent their new Tel Aviv Embassy from him.

Daniel Lang/Levitsky of Adalah-NY stated that "Dubai claimed that it has closed all the loopholes, but we have seen that to be glaringly false. Leviev jewelry will be prominently displayed and sold at a major hotel in Dubai. By allowing such a blatant contravention of its own laws, Dubai has made a mockery of its promise to boycott Leviev. The villagers of Jayyous and Bil'in, on whose stolen land Leviev's settlements sit, will be saddened and outraged, as will be human rights advocates worldwide."

[Source: Adalah-NY]

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Lev Leviev Blood Diamonds

Dubai False Promise: Leviev Alive!