Israeli billionaire Avi Shaked has offered $100 million as an initial investment to the Hamas terrorist organization in return for Haniyeh’s first set of talks with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
The 53-year-old internet gambling mogul said he represents a group of international financial investors who will add another $900 million to the pot if the two leaders actually make a deal.
“The moment that both sides will reach an agreement, this private equity that I am offering will immediately invest $1 billion,” pledged Shaked. “The first 10% will be invested immediately when the negotiations start,” he added.
The money would be transferred directly into an investment fund for the PA, according to media reports, bypassing the Hamas terrorist organization which now leads the PA.
Shaked said the plan could create up to one million new jobs for PA residents, improve their quality of life, and reduce poverty.
“My initiative is to both leaders: please sit down, start negotiations and try to reach an agreement,” said Shaked.
The gamble on “money for peace,” however, may not materialize. The Hamas organization has so far rejected the offer.
Yehiya Moussa, a senior Hamas legislator, told an Arab newspaper that the whole idea sounds like a joke. "All the gold in the world is not worth one grain of Palestinian rights," he said.
Shaked said the offer was a serious one. “We are almost the same people,” he pointed out. “We are cousins. Why can’t we start talking?”
The 53-year-old internet gambling mogul said he represents a group of international financial investors who will add another $900 million to the pot if the two leaders actually make a deal.
“The moment that both sides will reach an agreement, this private equity that I am offering will immediately invest $1 billion,” pledged Shaked. “The first 10% will be invested immediately when the negotiations start,” he added.
The money would be transferred directly into an investment fund for the PA, according to media reports, bypassing the Hamas terrorist organization which now leads the PA.
Shaked said the plan could create up to one million new jobs for PA residents, improve their quality of life, and reduce poverty.
“My initiative is to both leaders: please sit down, start negotiations and try to reach an agreement,” said Shaked.
The gamble on “money for peace,” however, may not materialize. The Hamas organization has so far rejected the offer.
Yehiya Moussa, a senior Hamas legislator, told an Arab newspaper that the whole idea sounds like a joke. "All the gold in the world is not worth one grain of Palestinian rights," he said.
Shaked said the offer was a serious one. “We are almost the same people,” he pointed out. “We are cousins. Why can’t we start talking?”