After two barren years, this week Elad Software Systems Ltd. filed a prospectus for the first IPO on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) of 2025
The IT services company was twice in the headlines over the past year due to breakdowns in its Chameleon medical file management system
which is owned by Elad Tiran and the Trokman brothers - Yoash and Gideon
is seeking to raise NIS 120 million from institutional investors in a non-uniform offer
by issuing 25% of its shares at a company valuation of NIS 350 million
Elad Systems was founded in 1982 and has about 1,250 employees
The company operates primarily in the field of providing software services such as customer relationship management (CRM) systems
and "design and user experience and development services in the digital field
as well as providing training and professional courses in the fields of design and UI/UX."
The company is managed by CEO Dagan Halevi and its chairman is Adiv Baruch
the company reported a net profit of NIS 7.6 million on NIS 235 million revenue
up 19% and 4.5% respectively from the corresponding period of 2023
The underwriting market estimates that Elad's offering may be the opening shot towards a return to a double-digit number of IPO offerings in the coming year
IPO offerings have almost completely disappeared from the Tel Aviv stock market
only five new companies joined the stock exchange (the securities trading company Meitav Trade
after only one new company was issued in 2023 (Zaphyrus in the renewable energy sector)
Published by Globes, Israel business news - en.globes.co.il - on January 9
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd.
the Elad foundation inaugurated the opening of a 730-meter-long zip line to the public in Jerusalem
The zip line is located along the Armon Hanatziv Promenade
stretching through the Peace Forest between Beit Shatz
which borders the Jabel Mukaber neighborhood
and the Elad foundation’s complex in the Peace Forest
numerous governmental and municipal efforts were made to legitimize the project:
represent a tourism activity intertwined with political interests
aimed at allowing the foundation to become a powerhouse in Jerusalem’s tourism sector
Elad seeks to control and manage numerous sites
both in terms of the content delivered to the public and the shaping of the space
Elad’s tourism activities can be seen as a form of “touristic settlement,” designed to make the area as “Jewish-Israeli” as possible and to complicate any future compromise agreement in Jerusalem
where two capitals for two states are envisioned
For more information, read here
The name of Elad was absent from the construction notice
© 2025 Peace Now | Sitemap | Accessibility Notice
Design & UX: Matnas Interactive | Charts: Highcharts
2024Get email notification for articles from Hagai El-Ad FollowJun 19
2024"I would like to be remembered as the protector of Israel
Protector of Israel," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once said
in one of those quotes that have become iconic
It was said in Netanyahu's preferred language – in English and overseas (at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2016)
with a combination of arrogance and feigned humility
Yitzhak Tshuva plans to convert an office building in Midtown Manhattan to residential condos
Tshuva's privately owned real estate arm in the US Elad Group has bought an office building that includes a WeWork co-working office space
which is undergoing bankruptcy proceedings
Elad Group paid $72 million for the building
The 20-floor building is at 419 Park Avenue and has 200,000 square feet (18,600 square meters) of space
The report says that Tshuva plans to convert the office space to 100 luxury residential condos
north of Madison Square and near the Empire State Building
Manhattan's office market has been weak over the past two years due to the rise in interest rates to 5.5%
the highest in more than a decade as well as the Covid pandemic
which led to remote work and hit demand for office space
This is not the Elad Group's first experience with condo conversions
In 2004 the company bought the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan for $675 million and converted it into 180 luxury apartments
which it sold four years later for $1.5 billion at a profit of $500 million
Tshuva is the controlling shareholder (50%) in Israeli energy exploration and production company Delek Group Ltd. (TASE:DLEKG)
after the share price has fallen 15% over the past year
Published by Globes, Israel business news - en.globes.co.il - on August 26
Israeli left’s qualified moral scruples over Netanyahu’s carnage in Gaza
David Grossman foresaw that the occupation would create an ‘iron fist of revenge’
blaming Netanyahu has been easier than confronting the full implications of the occupation
In 1987 David Grossman published one of the most important works ever to have appeared in Israel on the Palestinian question: its Hebrew title was The Yellow Time
an expression of indifference to the occupation
In the same year it was adapted into a play
The book documented Grossman’s travels through the West Bank
It revealed to an indifferent Israeli public the sick
violent reality of the occupation and warned that continuing to ignore it would lead to catastrophe
Grossman’s book contains a special prophecy about the terrible wrath of 7 October 2023
When he hears the Hebrew title of the book – The Yellow Time – an Arabic expression comes to his mind – rih asfar
the name of the catastrophe: ‘The wind will come from the gate of Hell … a hot and terrible east wind which comes once in a few generations
and people seek shelter from its wrath in the caves and caverns
those who have performed cruel and unjust deeds
and the mountains will crumble into a powder which will cover the land like yellow cotton.’
A historical event such as an occupation or a war is to be understood not only from the perspective of the victory of the driving forces
racism and authoritarianism and the right’s dominance in order to (…)
A Variety of Move-In Ready Penthouses with Ocean
Golf and City Views Now Available at ALINA Residences
Represented by Claude Champagne of Champagne and Parisi Real Estate
the buyer purchased Penthouse 903 at ALINA 210
While Penthouse 903 is the last remaining penthouse in ALINA 210
a variety of newly released penthouses are available at ALINA 220
the development's third building completed in January 2025
and city views and are priced from approximately $5.6 million to over $9 million
ALINA penthouses feature nearly 11-foot ceilings and expansive indoor-outdoor living with one to four private terraces
luxe details including morning bars in primary suites
and multiple exposures for extraordinary natural light
"We are thrilled to have sold Penthouse 903 at the boutique ALINA 210," said Jay Phillip Parker
CEO of Douglas Elliman Florida Region and president of Douglas Elliman Development Marketing
"ALINA has really set a new standard of penthouse living in Boca Raton with expansive floorplans designed for indoor-outdoor living
Penthouse terraces feature unmatched views and come complete with a summer kitchen ideal for sunset cocktail parties in the heart of downtown Boca Raton."
the move-in ready Penthouse 903 includes four private terraces offering breathtaking views of The Boca Raton golf course
With 5,394 interior square feet and 1,206 exterior square feet of space
the corner unit encompasses four bedrooms plus a den and private gym/sauna
a morning bar and an expansive walk-in closet
The generously sized primary suite includes a spa-inspired bathroom curated by Porcelanosa with porcelain floors and wet walls
The European-designed kitchen offers an open layout
state-of-the-art gourmet Gaggenau appliances
All ALINA residents enjoy a curated selection of upscale amenities across the sprawling campus including two private rooftop pools
his and hers spa facilities with dry saunas
Private appointments can be scheduled at the sales gallery at [email protected]
is approaching 85% sold and features a variety of available residences and floorplans.
ALINA Residences comprises three nine-story buildings: ALINA 200 (121 residences
which are completed and occupied) and ALINA 220 (152 residences
received TCO its in January 2025) for a total of totaling 303 units
Residences are priced from approximately $4.5 million to more than $9 million
Douglas Elliman Development Marketing is the exclusive sales and marketing team for ALINA Residences
About ALINA ResidencesBoca Raton Developed by El-Ad National Properties
ALINA Residences Boca Raton is a world-class residential destination featuring resort-inspired amenities with a focus on wellness and accented by indoor and outdoor art installations
Designed by architects garciastromberg and brought to life by Moss Construction
ALINA Residences phase one (ALINA 200) was completed in March 2021 as a nine-story
which is comprised of two new residential buildings (ALINA 210 and ALINA 220) is nearing 85% sold
ALINA 210 received its temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) in summer 2024
and ALINA 220 received its TCO in January 2025
With sales and marketing led by Douglas Elliman Development Marketing
residences in the three towers will range from one to four bedrooms and span from 1,400 to over 5,400 square feet
with many featuring dens and private terraces that overlook the iconic The Boca Raton golf course
Residences are priced from approximately $4.5 million to over $9 million
Media Contact:Durée & Company, Inc.954.723.9350 / [email protected]
Do not sell or share my personal information:
Frisco ISD had eight candidates for the May 2025 school board election
She joined Community Impact in June 2022 as the reporter for Grapevine
Hannah holds a degree in journalism from the University of North Texas and began her journalism career at the North Texas Daily
Police Master Sergeant Elad Yaakov Winklestein
who was murdered in a shooting attack near Kedumim in Samaria
was laid to rest on Monday in the Mount Herzl Police Cemetery in Jerusalem
He the police since 2020 as a youth investigator at the Ariel Police Station
He was posthumously promoted from Sergeant to Master Sergeant
Police Commissioner Danny Levi eulogized: "As he traveled down Route 55
Elad was shot from short range by evil terrorists
I promise that the State of Israel will settle the score with these lowly murderers
"Our enemies do everything to harm the sense of security of the citizens of the State of Israel
the officers of the Israel Police pay with their lives."
2024Get email notification for articles from Hagai El-Ad FollowMay 13
the truth was already abundantly clear in 1955: "They treat the Arabs
in a way that in itself would be enough to rally the whole world against Israel," wrote Hannah Arendt
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During the government meeting held in the Western Wall Tunnel to commemorate Jerusalem Day
the government approved the third phase of the “Shalem” program for the exposure of ancient Jerusalem
with a budget of 41 million shekels for two years
Whilst the decision stated that the budget is intended for the Israel Antiquities Authority
all the projects funded by the budget are connected to initiatives of the Elad settler organization in East Jerusalem
The government’s decision approves the transfer of 41 million shekels to the Antiquities Authority for the purpose of ongoing research
and accessibility of ancient Jerusalem sites
with 27.5 million shekels allocated for 2023 and 13.5 million shekels for 2024
When examining the work plans of this decision
it is evident that almost all the initiatives are under the responsibility of the Elad settler organization
in the Silwan neighborhood and the Ben Hinnom Valley
the “Second Temple Way” excavation project includes excavations of tunnels in the Silwan neighborhood
and other initiatives that are all within the scope of responsibility of Elad or connected to the initiatives promoted by this settler organization
part of the budget is allocated to increasing the number of visitors to “Ancient Jerusalem.”
the term “Ancient Jerusalem” is another name for the City of David site
this implies that many more students and soldiers will visit educational programs at Elad’s sites
Background on the “Shalem” Program:
The “Shalem” program was announced by the Netanyahu government during the cabinet meeting held in honor of Jerusalem Day in 2017
and develop the sites of ancient Jerusalem
tens of millions of shekels have been allocated for the development and excavation of the Old City Basin
the Israeli government celebrates Jerusalem Day by transferring funds to settlers in East Jerusalem
The cabinet meeting in the Western Wall tunnels is a direct continuation of the hate march we witnessed last week on Jerusalem Day
Both of these actions are intended to increase hostility
and hatred between Israelis and Palestinians in the city
rather than finding a peaceful solution between the peoples.”
For travel to the United States on a temporary basis
For foreign citizens who want to live permanently in the United States
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries* who meet all requirements to travel to the United States without a visa for business or pleasure for 90 days or less
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We vehemently condemn the terrorist attack in Elad
which killed at least three and wounded many others
This was a horrific attack targeting innocent men and women
and was particularly heinous coming as Israel celebrated its Independence Day
Our hearts are with the victims and loved ones of those killed
and we wish those injured a speedy recovery
We remain in close contact with our Israeli friends and partners and stand firmly with them in the face of this attack
May the memory of those who passed be a blessing
By U.S. Mission Israel | 8 May, 2022 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, News, Press Releases
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with a decision likely to be made on Monday
Yet the Sumarin case is only the tip of the iceberg
revealed here on +972 Magazine for the first time
alongside other historical documents and interviews held in recent weeks
and fruitful cooperation between the two organizations that goes as far back as the 1980s
which included personal handwritten letters and contracts
shows the JNF willingly granted Elad the right to pursue cases on its behalf — resulting in the taking over of various properties in Silwan
“Nothing was done in secrecy,” the report’s author told +972 last week
The JNF participated in these proceedings through its subsidiary
which purchased a number of properties in Silwan from the Custodian of Absentees’ Properties
Hemnutah began working to evict Palestinian families from these homes
titled “A Review of City of David (Silwan)
Jerusalem.” The report’s author was the JNF’s real estate department director
who retired from the organization around 20 years ago and has since been practicing law in Israel
who has unique expertise and experience regarding properties in such areas
says that the JNF still hires his services and consults him on a regular basis
Haleli’s 1998 report describes in detail the close relationship between JNF and Elad that began in the mid-1980s
“It was clear to all of the involved [parties] that eventually the organization [Elad] will request to use the JNF’s property in the area and live there as protected residents,” wrote Haleli
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a hand-written letter sent by Elad founder Be’eri and current executive director in 1985
reveals the depth of the budding relationship
Haleli,” wrote Be’eri a year before he officially established Elad
“We became aware of Jewish ownership of JNF on land plots in Shilo Village [Silwan].” Several of the plots
as highly valuable.” Be’eri then offered to “volunteer” to promote the goal of obtaining those properties
Be’eri sent another letter to JNF CEO Shimon Ben Shemesh discussing his commitment to assist in locating properties for takeover in Silwan
That letter dealt with a specific plot of land
“We believe this is the time to act urgently
using legal manners… to ensure the land is given to its legal owners [JNF].” Be’eri ended the letter by agreeing to take care of the costs of the case
The report describes the first instance of cooperation between Elad and the JNF in 1986: a court request filed by Hemnutah to evict a Palestinian family in coordination with Elad’s attorney
The report notes that the primary resident agreed to be evicted
and that the lawsuit was only filed so “his neighbors will think he was forced to leave;” Haleli added that Elad had also paid compensation to the Palestinian family
Elad’s lawyer provided the JNF with pro bono legal assistance
The report also refers to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two organizations signed prior to the legal cases
Hemnutah agreed to let Elad lease properties whose Palestinian inhabitants would be evicted
“Of course there was no conflict of interest between the sides,” Haleli asserted in the report
He further explained that the rent Elad would pay to the JNF will be deducted from the money that the former had already invested in its eviction proceedings
Haleli was clearly aware of the sensitivity of this cooperation
writing in the 1998 report that “we have warned Elad to not provoke” residents in the area
in order “to avoid criticism of Hemnutah and the JNF.” For that reason
the JNF “supported the idea of Arabs from Southern Lebanon temporarily residing in the evicted properties… for various reasons we had to give up this plan.”
Haleli then added that he was aware that there were conflicting opinions about the JNF’s activity in the area
while the opposing side presents JNF as a group that “strips Arabs of their properties.” Haleli’s assessment was that neither side was right
“The JNF operates as a Jewish National Zionist organization aiming to secure the land for the people of Israel for eternity
It is done according to Israel’s laws without jeopardizing the right of any resident
Arab or Jewish… I believe the way we operated in the City of David needs to be applauded,” he concluded
The 1998 report is reportedly not the last to be written by the JNF on its relationship with Elad
From conversations held last week with two senior JNF members
we understand that an updated version of Haleli’s report was produced in 2010
JNF did not respond to +972’s questions on the matter
nor a request to receive a copy of the updated report
Neither the JNF’s nor Elad’s spokespeople responded to +972’s requests for comment
The Jerusalem District Court’s ruling led to massive public outcry and pressure among liberal supporters and donors of the JNF to reverse the eviction
Yet not everyone among the JNF leadership is keen on seeing the Sumarin family thrown out of their home
In August, as part of the Sumarins’ latest legal proceedings, Hemnutah submitted to the Supreme Court a letter written in 1991 by Elad founder David Be’eri to the JNF subsidiary. The letter, which was first revealed in the BBC documentary about Elad [and to which the author of this article contributed]
Be’eri listed various land plots in Silwan
and wrote that “[w]e will handle the eviction from the properties of their current holders
we will pay all legal fees and all payments to the holders
whether in a legal settlement or by court order.” A Hemnutah stamp confirms the organization’s approval of the letter’s contents
in which he requested that Atar involve himself in freezing the proceedings against the Sumarin family over concerns that the eviction could adversely affect the JNF’s image
Sperber writes that a legal opinion prepared by the JNF counsel did not provide satisfactory answers regarding a “number of aspects about the relationship between Hemnutah and Elad vis-a-vis the [Sumarin] property.” This includes Elad’s “commitment to Hemnutah regarding the property,” the “authority of the parties that have undertaken a commitment on behalf of Hemnutah,” and the “possible impairment of Hemnutah’s independent discretion vis-a-vis the property in question
due to the involvement of Elad in the legal proceedings and its financing
create a “structural conflict of interest.”
Hemnutah’s board was expected to vote on a draft resolution brought by Sperber to both freeze all activities in the case against the Sumarins and to replace the Elad attorneys handling the case on Hemnutah’s behalf
+972 reached out to Ze’ev Scharf & Co
the firm representing Hemnutah in the Sumarin case
However, the board meeting was postponed the day before it was set to take place after Nachi Eyal, one of Hemnutah’s board members, submitted an appeal to the Jerusalem District Court against the draft resolution. In his statement to the court, Eyal, the founder and director of the Legal Forum for Israel and a candidate for the New Right party in previous Knesset elections
claimed the resolution is illegal and was submitted in a rush; Eyal argued that the meeting was set under short notice and that Sperber initiated it because he could potentially lose his chairmanship in the board elections for the World Zionist Organization set for Tuesday
The court accepted Eyal’s petition
In a conversation +972 held with JNF chair Atar
to vote on the eviction freeze and the lawyers’ removal
Elad’s Be’eri sent an angry letter to Sperber and Atar last week in which he strongly criticized Hemnutah and its head
We have invested “a fortune” in the Sumarin case
and the rights to handle the case were given to Elad — rights
Be’eri further stated that any decision that Hemnutah and JNF will make vis-a-vis the Sumarin case must involve Elad
He also claimed that Sperber was associating himself with extreme left-wing groups and supporters of the Boycott
David Be’eri’s letter to Sperber and Atar:
The political faith in Sperber and Atar, who represent the ostensibly liberal wing of the JNF (Atar is a former Labor Knesset member who won the endorsement of Blue and White party head Benny Gantz), will be put to the test on Tuesday, October 20, when the World Zionist Congress convenes remotely to choose its new representatives
The WZC selects the leadership of various Zionist groups, including the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and the Jewish National Fund. Whether or not Sperber and Atar remain in power will be determined by the kind of coalition formed by the WZC’s various parties, which is usually agreed upon in advance. According to the Jerusalem Post
Atar faces a major challenge for his position by the World Likud slate
which previously split but has reconciled in the run-up to coalition talks
is likely to come from Avigdor Liberman’s right-wing Yisrael Beiteinu party
I asked why his decision to freeze the Sumarin eviction was only brought before the board on the eve of the elections
Sperber said he only found out about the contract between Elad and JNF earlier this year
and has been trying to deal with the issue ever since
but admitted it is not clear whether either Atar or Sperber will maintain their positions after the elections
Sperber talked about the Sumarins’ campaign and expressed hope that it would affect the Israeli Supreme Court’s decision over whether to hear the family’s appeal
It became clear during our conversation that Sperber is banking on the court to solve Hemnutah’s conundrum by taking the family’s case
But Sperber also made clear that the JNF will not give up the rights to the Sumarin property
“We have no right to [relinquish] it,” he said
explaining that the Jerusalem District Court has deemed the house property of Hemnutah
“We could not do so for the sake of a Reform Jew
or an East Jerusalem Palestinian,” Sperber said
is to vote to freeze the implementation of the court verdict
And what if a future board decides to revoke that freeze
Peace Now’s Hagit Ofran says “the JNF must immediately cut all connections with the Elad settler organization
and let the Sumarin family live peacefully in its home.”
said he only found out about the agreement between JNF and Elad two weeks ago
“We are trying to somewhat stop this and cancel the agreement
we will do it right after the [WZO] congress”
as Elad has paid for 30 years of the legal battle against the Sumarins
It doesn’t make sense to me that you only learned about this two weeks ago
We found out by coincidence… during a discussion Sperber had with the lawyers… they argued and we realized it doesn’t make sense that they will use our name and won’t do as they are told by us.”
it wasn’t the first court hearing on the Sumarin family that took place during your role as JNF chairman
Those are not things I am dealing with on a daily basis
and they were not on the agenda until Matityahu [Sperber] brought them up.”
The relationships between the organizations are not new
What do you think about what you learned in recent weeks about the relationship between Elad and JNF
Absolutely… We are studying this [relationship] now and our legal department is looking into it
It is not the only thing we are working on fixing.”
Why did you wait until the last minute to deal with this
Is it maybe possible you are acting now because of the upcoming elections
Avoiding this extra tension during these times would have been much better for me.”
And say you managed to let go of Elad’s lawyers
“Our legal department will look into [Elad’s] ‘protected residency’ status
The court already decided that the Sumarin house belongs to the JNF
would you retract the petition to court to evict the Sumarin family
but I am not sure evicting them is worthwhile for us
We will have to find a different solution… according to what the law allows.”
Will you publish a report about the relationship with Elad
When we will finish handling the case we will publish it all.”
Uri Blau is an Israeli-born investigative journalist with over 20 years of experience exploring political corruption
Our team has been devastated by the horrific events of this latest war
The world is reeling from Israel’s unprecedented onslaught on Gaza
inflicting mass devastation and death upon besieged Palestinians
as well as the atrocious attack and kidnappings by Hamas in Israel on October 7
Our hearts are with all the people and communities facing this violence
We are in an extraordinarily dangerous era in Israel-Palestine
The bloodshed has reached extreme levels of brutality and threatens to engulf the entire region
are seizing the opportunity to intensify their attacks on Palestinians
The most far-right government in Israel’s history is ramping up its policing of dissent
using the cover of war to silence Palestinian citizens and left-wing Jews who object to its policies
one that +972 has spent the past 14 years covering: Israeli society’s growing racism and militarism
We are well positioned to cover this perilous moment – but we need your help to do it
This terrible period will challenge the humanity of all of those working for a better future in this land
Palestinians and Israelis are already organizing and strategizing to put up the fight of their lives
Can we count on your support
+972 Magazine is a leading media voice of this movement
a desperately needed platform where Palestinian and Israeli journalists
and thinkers can report on and analyze what is happening
TrendingCommercialNew YorkAElad Group to convert Nomad office to resi condosIsaac Tshuva’s firm pays $72M to buy 419 Park Avenue South
Isaac Tshuva’s Elad Group plans to convert a Midtown South office building into condos
The developer paid $72 million to buy the 200,000-square-foot office building at 419 Park Avenue South from Walter & Samuels
“The opportunity to convert existing office to residential condo in Midtown South is relatively recent,” said KSR’s Albert Sultan
who negotiated the sale along with Marc Sitt
“The purchaser capitalized on the rare opportunity to develop a sizeable new condo product in one of the most in demand submarkets in Nomad.”
Elad COO Alex Olsen said the company is planning around 100 units scheduled to be completed in 2026
SIGN UPElad has experience doing these kinds of condo conversions
250 West Street and the former New York Criminal Court building at 108 Leonard Street in Tribeca along with Don Peebles
WeWork had been a tenant at 419 Park Avenue South
occupying some 60,000 square feet until it scrapped the location through its bankruptcy proceedings
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Elad Moshe Dror Reshapes the Travel Industry with Volindo’s Expansion and Strategic Investment
With a rapidly growing user base and increasing market adoption
Volindo has secured a new round of investment
marking a significant step in its expansion strategy
The platform’s core innovation lies in its ability to empower independent travel agents and small agencies by providing a digital-first business model that eliminates the need for costly infrastructure
and offering white-label branding capabilities
Volindo positions agents to compete on a level traditionally reserved for larger industry players
Navigating these changes has not been without its challenges
Resistance from established industry players has also posed obstacles
as legacy providers seek to maintain control over distribution channels
Volindo’s agile approach has enabled it to adapt
continuously refining its platform to meet both compliance requirements and user needs
The recent investment signals confidence in the platform’s ability to overcome these barriers and establish a new industry standard
but about dismantling inefficiencies that have persisted for decades
Volindo’s trajectory suggests that the future of travel entrepreneurship will not be dictated by legacy institutions but by platforms that prioritize accessibility
With continued investment and strategic growth
the platform is positioned to lead this transition
setting a precedent for how traditional industries can evolve in an era defined by digital transformation
Contact Info: Name: Elad Moshe DrorEmail: Send EmailOrganization: VolindoWebsite: https://www.volindo.com/
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Despite the recovery in the business of Delek Group (TASE: DLEKG)
and the considerable improvement in its financial position
Yitzhak Tshuva continues to realize his private holdings in real estate in Israel
Elad Residence reports that Tshuva has decided to exercise the put option he holds to sell his remaining holding (25%) in the company to the JTLV (Jerusalem Tel Aviv Investments) fund for NIS 68.5 million
The sale reflects a company valuation of NIS 274 million
He put the company up for sale in early 2020
following the financial difficulties encountered by him and Delek Group as a result of the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic
Tshuva sold 70.7% of Elad Residence to the JTLV real estate investment fund
the remaining 4.3% being owned by company CEO Ronen Jaffa
Jaffa bought additional shares in Elad Residence from JTLV for NIS 10.4 million
Elad Residence raised NIS 100 million in a public bond issue
Jaffa will buy 2% of Elad Residence out of the shares that JTLV buys under the option
JTLV has become a partner in stock-exchange listed real estate company Duniec Bros
which is also a residential projects developer
against an allocation of ordinary shares in Duniec Bros
The final structure of the deal remains to be settled in negotiations between the sides
and will require approval by Duniec Bros.' shareholders
Elad Residence has revenue of NIS 174 million from sales of apartments
which compares with NIS 155 million in the corresponding period of 2020
which compares with NIS 8 million in the corresponding period
Published by Globes, Israel business news - en.globes.co.il - on November 1
El-Ad National Properties, an Elad Group company with a South Florida-based team, is pleased to present the magnificent move-in ready Penthouse 921, at ALINA 220 in its ALINA Residences
a world-class residential destination in the heart of downtown Boca Raton
the third and final building at ALINA Residences
received its temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) on Jan
A variety of newly available penthouses for immediate occupancy at ALINA 210 and ALINA 220
All ALINA penthouses are move-in ready with nearly 11-foot ceilings
They offer expansive indoor-outdoor living with one to four private terraces with a summer kitchen
luxe features including morning bars in primary suites and state-of-the-art Gaggenau appliances
multiple exposures with extraordinary natural light
Offering delightful northeast views of The Boca Raton golf course and ocean
the 4,445-square-foot Penthouse 921 includes three bedrooms plus a den
The design aesthetic is inspired by a modern tropical getaway
the spacious primary suite offers a serene retreat
complete with a morning bar and private terrace
The expansive suite is complemented by a spa-inspired bath curated by Porcelanosa
all meticulously crafted for relaxation and comfort
The move-in ready penthouse also features custom closets throughout the residence provided by Italkraft
an industry leader in renowned Italian custom closet design and creation
ideal for playing cards or hosting a book club while the media room is a secluded spot ideal for movie nights
the residence beckons with two terraces totaling 576 square feet including a summer kitchen for outdoor entertaining
The penthouse is listed for just over $8.1 million
“We are pleased to offer the exquisite Penthouse 921 in ALINA 220
as well as additional newly completed penthouses in ALINA 210 and 220,” said Candace Jorritsma
vice president of sales and marketing for El-Ad National Properties
luxurious residences present the utmost in private elegance ideal for discerning luxury buyers.”
is more than 80% sold and features a variety of available residences and floorplans
ALINA Residences comprises three nine-story buildings: ALINA 200 (121 residences
which are completed and occupied) and ALINA 220 (152 residences
Residences are priced from approximately $4.5 million to more than $10 million
All ALINA residents enjoy a curated selection of upscale amenities across the sprawling campus including two private rooftop pools
his and hers spa facilities with dry saunas
a studio with a professional-level golf and sports simulator
Tucked between the manicured green fairways of The Boca Raton and Southeast Mizner Boulevard
ALINA Residences is in close proximity to downtown Boca Raton’s restaurants
including the Mizner Park Amphitheater and the Boca Raton Museum of Art
pristine parks and Brightline Boca Raton Station are just minutes away
Private appointments can be scheduled at the sales gallery at sales@alinabocaraton.com
Douglas Elliman Development Marketing is the exclusive sales and marketing team for ALINA Residences
With more than three decades of high-end development experience in New York City
Elad Group founded El-Ad National Properties in South Florida in 2004
El-Ad National Properties has since earned a sterling reputation as an agile
entrepreneurial company with high expectations and solid values
El-Ad National Properties is leaving its footprint on South Florida with the ALINA Residences Boca Raton brand
ALINA Residences Boca Raton is a world-class residential destination featuring resort-inspired amenities with a focus on wellness and accented by indoor and outdoor art installations
Designed by architects Garcia Stromberg and brought to life by Moss Construction
ALINA Residences phase one (ALINA 200) was completed in March 2021 as a nine-story
which is comprised of two new residential buildings (ALINA 210 and ALINA 220) is over 80% sold
ALINA 210 received its temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) in summer 2024
and ALINA 220 received its TCO in January 2025
With sales led by Douglas Elliman Development Marketing
Residences are priced from approximately $4.5 million to over $10 million
The full luxury property features a total of 303 units and residents can explore a myriad of shared spaces and amenities across the expansive campus
including over three acres of private outdoor amenity space
studio with a professional-level golf and sports simulator
Boca Raton-based El-Ad National Properties is an Elad Group company
which is a highly regarded development team known for best-in-class projects in the most sought-after neighborhoods in New York and nationwide
Known and recognized worldwide for the history-making
restoration and conversion of the famed Plaza Hotel
Elad Group is continuously making strides in real estate and receiving public acclaim for many of its properties
Elad’s New York portfolio of iconic buildings includes One West
the first and tallest condominium project to come to market in Christian de Portzamparc’s masterfully-designed Riverside Center
an exquisite collection of full-floor luxury condominium residences overlooking Manhattan’s famed Central Park
a 1906 warehouse turned luxury condominium in the heart of TriBeCa
Meade & White Italian Renaissance Revival landmark conversion in TriBeCa
Elad Group is committed to developing architecturally significant buildings and partnering with renowned architects and design professionals to create premier new developments
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Yitzhak Tshuva's privately-held real estate company Elad Group has agreed the sale of subsidiary Elad Canada Realty to Canadian company Rester Management
Rester Manamgement will pay CA$508 million (US$381 million)
will be excluded from the deal and will be allocated to Elad Group
The deal thus values Elad Canada Realty at CA$783 million (US$587 million)
which compares with shareholders' equity in its last financials
acquires and operates income producing real estate in the US and Canada
It also develops and sells residential property in Canada
the acquiring company intends to continue employing its senior management
Lazer said that Elad Canada Realty had attracted considerable interest on the part of investors in the past few weeks
Elad Group has debt of NIS 676 million (principal) to financial institutions holding its privately placed bonds
It also has two series of bonds traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange amounting to NIS 763 million (principal)
Elad Group approached the SPC Elad bondholders with an offer to provide them with collateral in exchange for their agreement to waive their right to present the debt owed to them for immediate repayment
The right arose after rating agency S&P Maalot downgraded the debt of Elad Group and its subsidiaries to below A-
Elad Group also disclosed the possible sources for payment of its commitments to its bondholders
among them the sale of assets and/or holdings in subsidiaries such as Star and Elad Canada Realty
Published by Globes, Israel business news - en.globes.co.il - on August 5
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd
The two organizations also share a common approach: using Zionism’s conception of the Jewish relationship to the land to present their activities as natural
While the JNF’s methods involved buying up land and creating green spaces
set its sights on controlling archaeological excavations in East Jerusalem
Elad’s method, however, is arguably more sophisticated and far-reaching: it harnesses not only the land, but what lies (or doesn’t) beneath it, in order to revise and excise segments of the region’s past in service of a reductive vision of its future
And while historical revisionism has always been central to Israeli nation-building
under increasingly right-wing governments over the past few decades
become ever-more brazen and broad in its scope
Israeli archaeology — which has long served as a staple of Zionist consciousness-making — has become increasingly subject to the ministrations of state and settler factions
These groups are determined to present the narrative of Jewish presence in the land as one of irrefutable millennial ownership
interrupted by an interim period of exile before being restored with the State of Israel’s establishment
archaeology is used to counter the narrative of occupation — and of the Nakba — through action as well as symbolism
Few entities have been as central to this politicization of archaeology as Elad
the City of David (“Ir David”) national park is one of the most sensitive archaeological sites in the country
It is steps away from the walls of the Old City
and its significance as the supposed seat of power of King David (a narrative that has yet to be conclusively proven) has made it one of Israel’s archeological holy grails
it has been the site of almost continuous Israeli excavation since the late 1970s
which until the early 2000s was exclusively under the auspices of government agencies
The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) oversaw the excavations
while the Nature and Parks Authority (NPA) ran the national park around it
the IAA was only able to slow down the site’s eventual handover from the NPA to Elad
five years after the government elected to grant Elad the keys to the park
the settlers had the City of David in their hands
one of Jerusalem’s leading tourist sites
The organization has presented excavation findings in a manner that entirely befits their ideological mission: visitors to the City of David will encounter a narrative centered on the biblical era
while eliding the multiplicity of other histories buried beneath Silwan’s streets
thereby sabotaging the integrity of any archaeological discoveries
It is not just Elad’s vision of East Jerusalem that the JNF has declined to repudiate: it is also the group’s reductive version of history
For Elad — and the right-wing, religious-nationalist ideology to which its associates subscribe — archaeological discoveries are a means to fulfill Zionism’s teleological axis of antiquity-exile-return. This framework is not exclusive to the religious right; as the late sociologist Michael Feige observed
Israeli archaeology has always performed a dual function in the national narrative: “one
to show the ancient unity of the Jewish people
in contrast to its fragmentation in exile; and two
to show that people’s ancient rights to the Land of Israel.”
subsequently birthed a duel over narratives which ultimately privileged an interrupted
highly-selective history of Jewish presence in the ancient homeland over the history of the diaspora — effectively erasing the latter’s past
are the supposed glory days of the Jewish people during the Davidic and Second Temple periods — a prelapsarian past before the ignominy of exile (and the implied accompanying shame of non-Jewish presence in
Elad’s archaeological pursuit of this narrative therefore perpetrates a dual erasure: not only is the diaspora’s history liquidated along with its communities (which become superfluous since ‘return’ to the homeland has been realized)
but so is the interim history of other nations in the Holy Land during that period of exile
Two sets of history — as far as the Jewish-Israeli imaginary is concerned — are snapped shut
Elad’s archaeological activities are a means of not only permitting Israeli settlers to evict Palestinians or keep them locked under proliferating layers of security
but also granting them the ethical right to do so
as the kernel of Zionist ideology suggests
the return of Jews to their ancient homeland is a moral
then in the eyes of a group wishing to take that belief to its ultimate conclusion
expelling Palestinians and replacing them with Jews is more than a divinely-ordained and politically legitimate act: it is a duty
This logic is at the heart of Elad’s use of archaeology and its belief that it has the right to act as a landlord in Silwan
It is this political vision that the JNF elected to align itself with — a fact that no amount of “greenwashing” and tree-planting can change
Natasha Roth-Rowland is a writer and researcher at Diaspora Alliance
She has a PhD in History from the University of Virginia
and wrote her dissertation on the history of the Jewish far right in Israel-Palestine and the United States
Natasha previously spent several years as a writer
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has won a tender to build two hotels by the Dead Sea at Ein Bokek
The Ministry of Tourism and Israel Land Administration tender permits Elad to build and operate two hotels with up to 400 rooms
These will be the first new hotels built by the Dead Sea for more than 20 years
Elad Hotel's operations include Israel's Sheraton-Moriah hotel chain
"Together with the major increase in tourism to Israel
we welcome this process of starting to add hundreds of hotel rooms to the Dead Sea
Together with the new promenade that we have already completed
we will also see more commercial and entertainment space and mainly a boost in the number of hotel rooms
which will bring jobs and contribute to the economy of the region."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 26
The continuing positive mood on the stock markets in Israel and worldwide is also benefiting the local debt market
a wave of bond issues has been sweeping the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE)
enabling public companies to reschedule billions of shekels in debt at extremely low interest rates
whose financing expenses make up a substantial part of their activity
have especially benefited from this situation
which completed an initial debt issue on the TASE this week
Yitzhak Tshuva's private real estate group
which raised NIS 500 million in a private bond placement to investment institutions
Elad Group handles Tshuva's real estate business in North America
it holds fully ownership of its Elad Canada subsidiary
whose bonds have been traded on the TASE since August 2018
Elad Group offered its new private bonds for 99% of their nominal value (i.e
Demand in the auction held by Elad Group for investment institutions exceeded NIS 600 million
of which the company supplied NIS 500 million
The company will use the proceeds mainly for refinancing
extending the average duration of its financial liabilities
Elad Group's bonds were issued at a 5.65% annual interest rate
The bonds are secured with a lien on some of the shares in the group's Elad Canada subsidiary
These shares will become marketable if Elad Canada decides this year to also carry out an IPO on the TASE
Other real estate companies held large bond issues on the TASE this week. For example, Big Shopping Centers (2004) Ltd. (TASE:BIG) completed a NIS 600 million issue of Series 15 bonds
after demand in the preliminary auction reached NIS 1.185 billion
and were issued with an average duration of 7.84 years
which are linked to the Consumer Price Index
were issued at an annual interest rate of only 1.17%
Published by Globes, Israel business news - en.globes.co.il - on January 15
Delek Group Ltd. (TASE: DLEKG) controlling shareholder Yitzhak Tshuva is again bringing his Canadian real estate business to the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE)
He is attempting to raise up to NIS 260 million (C$95 million) in a bond issue for Elad Canada Realty
The company has earmarked the proceeds from the bond issue for upgrading its existing portfolio
increasing its holdings in a Canadian real estate investment trust (REIT)
Publication of a rating for the debt is expected later
The draft prospectus indicates that Elad Canada plans to use C$28 million of the proceeds to replay a line of credit bearing interest of nearly 10%
C$50 million more is designated for recouping the equity allocated to the acquisition of the Galleria property in Toronto
which contains the area on which a multi-stage residential
Elad Canada plans a three-year shekel bond issue backed by net surpluses in projects
Repayment of most of the principal is scheduled for the third quarter of 2022
while repayment of 30% of it is slated for the first quarter of 2020
According to the figures presented by the company
Elad Canada currently owns building rights for 4.5 million square feet (420,000 square meters) of residential
and commercial real estate in various development stages
of which 1.5 million square feet (140,000 square meters) is being used for 1,500 condominium units for sale
Elad Canada says over 80% of these units have already been sold
Elad Canada also holds 19% of the shares in a public Canadian REIT
which Elad Canada says holds "dozens of income-producing properties
including office and industrial properties in key locations in Canada and the US." Elad Canada's CEO is Rafael Lazer
Elad Canada is backing its bond issue with a lien on the surpluses of projects with a 1.5 collateral-debt ratio
The main collateral is the Emerald City project in Toronto
in which the company is building nine residential buildings for sale and rent with a total of 2,000 apartments
Elad Canada's 2017 financial statements show that the company enjoyed an almost six-fold rise in revenue from C$32 million in 2016 to C$181 million in 2017
primarily thanks to the sale of an apartment building and recognition of profit from occupancy of another building
The increase in the value of the company's Galleria property helped Elad Canada report $138 million in its property revaluation item
pushing its net profit for the year up to $155 million
compared with less than $13 million in 2016 and less than $7 million in 2015
Elad Canada also reported a steep rise in management and general expenses to $6 million
compared with a little over $1 million in 2016
due to a provision of more than $5 million in accordance with its legal advisor's assessment in respect of claims filed against the company involving a project completed in Cite Nature - a project that contained eight residential buildings close to the Montreal Olympic Village
Elad Canada's revenue soared 34% to $8 million in the first quarter of this year
compared with a $1.5 million loss in the first quarter of 2017
This result was supported by a profit of nearly $8 million on its investment in the REIT
Progress is residences in Toronto and Montreal
through which Tshuva has operated in North America since 1992 and which has a variety of businesses
Its known assets in the past include the Plaza Hotel in New York
Elad Canada began its activity in Canada in 1997 and underwent a strategic refocus in 2014 that included the sale of most of its income-producing properties "and a focus on development of residential buildings in high-demand areas in Canada
together with investment in income-producing properties with upgrading development or operational potential."
Elad Canada focuses on the development of residential neighborhoods (master plan communities)
According to figures presented by the company
it has completed construction of and conversion of 4,500 housing units in 13 projects in Canada to date
Tshuva held an IPO on the Toronto Stock Exchange for Elad Canada Inc.
the indirect owner of the company now holding the bond issue
which was delisted from trading in 2013 following an offer to purchase
it was learned that Tshuva was interested in joining the wave of American-Jewish real estate developers that have held issues on the TASE for some of their real estate in North America in recent years
He held an NIS 220 million bond issue for the Elad National company on the TASE
Although he incorporated the company in the Virgin Islands in preparation for this move
as the other foreign real estate developers also did
and also published a shelf prospectus and a supplementary prospectus for the issue (which revealed that his partner in the company's main properties was real estate tycoon Yakir Gabay)
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 9
Ir David Foundation received donations from mystery companies in the Virgin Islands
Leaked banking documents now confirm that Israel’s richest man - and owner of Chelsea football club - controls or is affiliated with these companies
Those donations helped to change the face of a Palestinian village
eaked banking documents show that several companies registered in the British Virgin Islands have donated more than $100 million to an organization dedicated to boosting the Jewish presence in East Jerusalem
The identity of the man behind them is revealed here for the first time: Israeli-Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich
who is affiliated to or controls all of these companies
The money has helped the foundation change the face of the Palestinian village of Silwan in East Jerusalem
was established in 1986 to strengthen "the generations-old Jewish connection to Jerusalem through tours
population growth and the publication of instruction material."
the foundation was associated mainly with settlement activity in East Jerusalem; more recently
it has rebranded itself as a foundation engaged primarily in education and tourism and less so in settlement activity
there is almost no mention of settlement activity
but it does talk about a joint venture last December with the Zappa night club in Tel Aviv
who headed the foundation’s marketing department until 2016
told the BBC - which investigated the donations to the association in collaboration with the writer of this piece - that in the mid-2000s
when El’ad’s new construction plans in Silwan were halted
the association changed its strategy and started investing in tourism
"is the use of heritage tourism," by which the foundation tried "to shape the reality and influence public opinion." Thus
the association sought to advance its goals: "Jewish sovereignty over ancient Jerusalem for generations to come and all eternity."
El’ad is one of the largest and richest associations in Israel and owns vast assets
An analysis of the association's reports submitted since 2005 shows that its revenues over the period amounted to more than 1 billion shekels
with some 700 million shekels flowing into the foundation’s coffers as donations
and the remainder coming from state budgets
participation in covering the costs of archaeological digs
The latest reports submitted by El’ad relate to 2018
when its turnover was about 116 million shekels
El’ad reported to the Registrar of Associations that its real estate assets were worth close to 250 million shekels
of which around 140 million shekels were "real estate for settlement purposes." In the same year
El’ad reported donations of around 84 million shekels
with the bulk coming from the foundation’s Friends of Ir David association
El’ad also received significant donations that originated in the British Virgin Islands
An analysis of the foundation’s reports shows that between 2005 and 2018
El’ad received almost 176 million shekels from a company called Farleigh; a company known as Leiston donated just under 94 million shekels; Ovington contributed about 65 million shekels; and Cantley injected about 13 million shekels
which were registered in the sun-soaked Caribbean islands on the same day and under the same address in 2003
donated a total of 348,422,122 shekels to El’ad
a sum that reflects about half of the total volume of donations to El’ad during that period
El’ad's file at the Registrar of Associations contains hundreds of documents
A review of the file shows that over the years
the companies from the Virgin Islands have been mentioned in correspondence between the foundation and the Registrar
the Registrar asked El’ad for more details about companies
which had made donations to the foundation in 2005
El’ad adamantly refused to comply with the request
noting in its response to the Registrar that it reports everything required of it by law
El’ad ceased completely to provide the Registrar with the particulars of its donors and started doing so again only more than a decade later
and the same four companies from the Virgin Islands appear in the documents over and over again
they were responsible for close to 90 percent of the total donations to El’ad
the bulk of the donations were allocated to "various development and settlement projects in the City of David."
It is important to note that there is no mention at all of El’ad and the donations it received in the leaked bank documents
details about numerous businesspersons and companies from around the world
including information about the Ultimate Beneficial Owners of various companies
UBO is a term in domestic and international commercial law that refers to the person or persons who own or control a certain company
The four companies that donated to El’ad are mentioned in a report submitted by Deutsche Bank's American branch to the U.S
is the UBO of three of the companies (Farleigh
The report doesn’t specify the UBO of Leiston
but notes that based on several sources (the bank is probably referring to media sources
Leiston is an investment company that holds the contracts of a number of professional soccer players and is controlled by an associate of Abramovich
Abramovich became an Israeli citizen in 2018 and immediately topped the list of the country’s wealthiest individuals
he has purchased at least two real estate assets in Tel Aviv - the Varsano Hotel in Neve Tzedek and the adjacent Magen House building
He’s also reported to have purchased an estate in Herzliya Pituach in early 2020
is best known for his ownership of British soccer club Chelsea
as well as his fleet of luxurious yachts and worldwide business affairs
and a particularly generous philanthropist
with donations of hundreds of millions of dollars to Jewish organizations in Russia
and in support of Sheba Medical Center in Israel
He doesn’t speak publicly on political or diplomatic issues
and his views on the Israel-Palestinian conflict are unknown
the huge sums of money that companies to which he’s tied have donated to El’ad have helped change one of the most volatile places in the world: Silwan
When donations from the Virgin Islands began flowing in
the foundation boasted around 190 settlers in Silwan and about 150,000 visitors a year to the City of David National Park
the number of Jews living in Silwan has almost doubled
and the various tourism sites run by El’ad are getting more than million visitors a year
weren’t the only donations that the foundation received
but they constitute a very significant chunk of its revenues
A spokesman for Mr Abramovich told the BBC
that "Mr Abramovich is a committed and generous supporter of Israeli and Jewish civil society
and over the past 20 years he had donated over five hundred million dollars to support healthcare
education and Jewish communities in Israel and around the world."
told the BBC that it operates in keeping with the law and reports to the Registrar of Associations as required
In response to a question about ties to Abramovich
said that the foundation respects the privacy of its donors
Shomrim - The Center for Media and DemocracyWe believe investigative journalism is the foundation for safekeeping the fundamental human rights of every Israeli citizen
We are committed to investing our time and resources to promote it
The Center for Media and Democracy© Copyright The Center for Media and Democracy Inc
college football players has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in an effort to play in 2025 at Rutgers University in New Jersey
filed his complaint in New Jersey federal district court last week over an eligibility rule stating that student-athletes must play four seasons within five years
Elad started his college career at Ohio in 2020-21
though he gets the first year back because it was the COVID-19-shortened season
The Canadian then transferred to Garden City Community College in Kansas in 2022 before playing at UNLV the past years. Rutgers announced in January that Elad planned to transfer to the school in Piscataway
It would be a step up to one of the NCAA's four power conferences for Elad
a finalist for the Jon Cornish Trophy as top Canadian in the NCAA the past two years
"The eligibility rule at issue is unlawful because it has substantial anticompetitiveeffects on two-year or junior colleges and universities that are excluded from NCAA membership," states the lawsuit
This five-year period includes time spent at a two-year or junior college
The effect of this rule (the “Five-Year Rule”) is to discourage student-athletes from attending junior college to prepare for four-year college and to punish those who do so
even though junior colleges may provide such student-athletes with necessary academic and other opportunities
And just as the student-athletes are deprived of the junior-college experience that may so benefit them
the junior colleges are deprived of elite athletes
reducing their ability to compete with NCAA schools."
The lawsuit goes on to state the NCAA's current decision will "permanently deprive (Elad) of a once-in-a-lifetime name
and likeness (“NIL”) contract worth approximately $500,000 and the opportunity to enhance his career and reputation by playing another year of Division I football."
The reported $500,000 figure is hundreds of thousands of dollars more than a starting Canadian defensive back would make in the CFL
speaking at a press conference ahead of spring practice on Monday
declined to comment on the specifics of Elad's case
"I hope it works out because Jett is a good player and cultural fit," he said
Schiano added: "(Elad is) a really good player
The NCAA released a statement to Law360 last week when asked about Elad's case
which enable student-athletes and schools to have fair competition and ensure broad access to the unique and life-changing opportunity to be a student-athlete," the NCAA said
"The NCAA is making changes to modernize college sports but attempts to alter the enforcement of foundational eligibility rules — approved and supported by membership leaders — makes a shifting environment even more unsettled."
The NCAA has faced numerous lawsuits in recent years over eligibility rules
Elad's complaint includes a reference to Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia
who was granted a preliminary injunction by a Tennessee court allowing him to play in 2025
Pavia played the last three years at Vanderbilt after starting his post-secondary career at junior college
Elad's case is scheduled for a hearing on April 3
Rutgers had seven Canadians on its roster in 2024
The Big Ten squad went 7-5 in the regular season before losing 44-41 to Kansas State in the Rate Bowl
Rutgers is scheduled to open the 2025 season on Aug
28 against Elad's old Ohio squad in New Jersey
Elad was an honourable mention Mountain West Conference all-star last season at UNLV
He posted a career-high 84 tackles in 14 games
Elad had 11 tackles and a fumble recovery in UNLV's win over California in the LA Bowl to cap the season
falling one win short of the College Football Playoff after losing to favoured Boise State in the Mountain West final
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Hagai El-Ad is the Executive Director of B’Tselem – The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories
The pair sat down earlier this year for an in-depth discussion
What does El-Ad think has been the impact of the occupation not just on the Palestinians but on Israeli democracy and society
Why does B’Tselem insist that the occupation is a human rights issue
How does he understand the relationship between politics and human rights
How does he respond to the storm of criticism of B’Tselem from the Israeli Right
Why did he decide to make a speech against Israeli settlement policy to the UN in 2016
prompting the Israeli prime minister to say he had joined the ‘chorus of mudslinging’ against Israel
What is B’Tselem’s report card on Israeli democracy
Alan Johnson: What is B’Tselem and what does it do
Hagai El-Ad: We’ve been around for close to 30 years
advocates and campaigns on issues relating to human rights in the occupied territories – the West Bank
AJ: You have written ‘I was born in Israel when the occupation was two years old
It is still here more than four decades later.’ Clearly
the occupation is the central fact in the lives of the Palestinians and we will talk about that
But what difference has the occupation made to Israel and Israelis
HE-A: We each have a moral responsibility for this reality as Israelis
I’ve lived all my life alongside this reality
One thing that weighed heavy on my shoulders when I decided to move from the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) to B’Tselem was the sense that I may live a very long and good life and all of it will be spent in the shadow of the occupation
That’s something that I could not have even imagined when I was younger
first it is a question of moral responsibility: what have I done to negate the perpetuation of this reality
In addition to all the horrible things we are doing to Palestinians
you cannot sustain a military occupation of an entire people for half a century and there not be consequences within the Green Line
our thinking about human rights in Israeli society has been catastrophically damaged
Because most of the violations are against Palestinians
most of our energy is devoted to protecting the rights of Palestinians
‘supporting human rights’ means supporting the Palestinians
who are frequently perceived as ‘the enemy’
And when there is an equation between supporting human rights and supporting the enemy
Take the anti-democratic legislation. For example, we passed a law preventing entry into Israel by people who support boycotts
boycotts only have traction in the context of the occupation
I am now a citizen of a country that has passed a law that filters internationals that want to come to my country and its occupied territories
they are a non-violent expression of free speech
That law is both inspired by the non-democratic reality of the occupation
AJ: We hosted Oded Haklai at a Fathom Forum in April
he has researched Israeli public opinion about the settlements
His data shows that the younger an Israeli is
the less likely they are to ‘see’ the Green Line
or to know that the settlements do not belong to the territory of the State of Israel
the Regulation Bill was ‘a game changer’ for him
President Reuven Rivlin issued his own warning about how the world will see Israel if that bill is not struck down by the Supreme Court
What is B’Tselem’s analysis of the meaning of this development
Was it a temporary answer to the political problems of coalition management created by the Supreme Court mandated evacuation of the Amona settlement
Was it an act of grandstanding to win votes on the Right
HE-A: Of course all the settlements are illegal
The so-called ‘illegal outposts’ were not built with official Israeli government approval
protected and developed by the government turning a blind eye or supporting the settlement enterprise over or under the table
The distinction between ‘legal’ and ‘illegal’ settlements is not convincing
but that’s the language in which these issues are discussed in Israel
The Regulation Bill was passed because it was discovered that some Israeli settlement structures had been built on privately owned and registered Palestinian land
The bill claims to legalise those structures
but it is basically theft of other peoples’ property
was too much for Israel’s High Court of Justice to swallow
in a number of cases – Amona was the most discussed – the High Court ordered the government to remove those ‘illegal’ settlement structures and evict the thieves
there was then postponement after postponement after postponement
And this caused a lot of political friction
resulting in this Regulation Law being passed
It allows the retroactive transfer of ‘usage rights’ not ownership – the double speak is just so transparent
but it is completely consistent with everything we have been doing to Palestinians over the last half-century
And in that sense one really has to pause and to question this outrage
Let’s imagine that we go back in time a few short months before this law was passed
In those ‘good old days’ we were taking over Palestinian land across the board in all of the ways that have been legalised
or approved (or ignored – so that they can go ahead) by the High Court and the government
it’s done through the mechanism of announcing the establishment of what is called ‘state land’
‘state land’ is Israeli – that’s the way we have structured that.) And there are other mechanisms: military training zones
All these mechanisms are well known and have been used openly and officially for 50 years
The moment you add a dash of privately owned land – it’s a very small percentage – to this ocean of public Palestinian land that we stolen
If we are to have intellectual coherence about our own reality then let’s be honest: it’s not just this law that is an outrage
It has been the mainstream policies of Israeli governments
not a bunch of settlers – going back half a century
AJ: You sounded very political in that answer. B’Tselem has been criticised for mixing up politics and human rights. For example, NGO Monitor criticised B’Tselem for hiding a ‘partisan, political agenda under the façade of human rights’. A page at the NGO Monitor website is titled ‘Political
Ideological Approach of Hagai El-Ad at B’Tselem’
How do you respond to those kind of attacks
what is the relationship between politics and human rights
They deal with controversial aspects of the reality in a society
but they have this complex relationship with reality
and will remain a human rights organisation
It is exactly out of that commitment to the realisation of human rights that we have been making these statements and taking these positions
We think – and this is key to our analysis of the situation – that we are not in day one
year one or even decade one of this reality
We are 50 years into a situation in which we control millions of people under military rule with almost no rights and somehow my country is getting away with it
So from a human rights perspective one can’t avoid the question
‘How do we bring about an end to the occupation?’ It is a no-brainer that under this reality there will never be a realisation of the human rights of Palestinians
The only way that this can happen is through an end to the occupation
The occupation can end in a variety of ways and that’s not something that we take a position on
because that is not a human rights question
We can critique any specific solution that is suggested
judging whether or not it is compatible with safeguarding the rights of Palestinians and Israelis
But we are not advocating for a two-state solution
But ending the occupation is a human rights priority
I actually think that it is fair to ask those who avoid drawing that conclusion
how is their avoidance compatible with a commitment to the realisation of human rights
AJ: You say you don’t take a position on two states
How would you respond to a person who said
human rights include the right to national self-determination
the only way to fulfil that right is through creating two states for two peoples
so to be for two states is a kind of human rights question’
Surely the problem with the so-called one-state solution
whether in its right-wing or left-wing version
is that it denies that right to national self-determination
HE-A: I think self-determination certainly is a human right
but of course collectives can make various decisions about the way they want to express that right in reality
there is no expiration date for this temporary belligerent occupation
Is the accumulation of settlements temporary
So our position is that what we are faced with is the following situation – there are 13 million people who are living under Israeli control between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea to one degree or another: external control in Gaza
And the only future that is compatible with human rights is one that is based on political rights for everyone
Perpetual occupation is not compatible with human rights
a refusal to recognise the inherent legitimacy and legality of Israel’s military operation and tactics
and an apparent disregard for Israeli public opinion’
How would you respond to that criticism of B’Tselem
HE-A: It’s not that exceptional that NGO Monitor is going after B’Tselem and other human rights organisations
To what extent NGO Monitor is a genuine voice critiquing NGOs in Israeli society is an interesting question
I think it would be telling to ask if NGO Monitor is interested in any other NGOs
besides those NGOs working against the occupation
I also think it is important to take a step back and to say a few words about the atmosphere in Israel
have for a number of years faced everything from government intimidation to harassment to hostile legislation
that is only the international part of a process that is already underway in Israel proper
The affront to democracy isn’t just that Palestinians do not have a vote to determine their future (whereas when we Israelis vote
we vote to determine our future and their future)
civil society organisations are not supposed to be intimidated or legislated against by the government
Why did you go to the UN given the reaction you must have anticipated
given the human rights record of many in your audience
HE-A: We came to a realisation a while ago – and the UN speech was only the most public expression of this realisation – that there is a very limited set of options
Given we are absolutely committed to non-violence
when you try to identify non-violent ways out of this reality
or 100 years of more of the same – what people call ‘the status quo’ but it’s not a status quo because it’s progressing all the time in one direction – then the options are very limited
We advocate first and foremost to the Israeli public
Using credible sources we say ‘this is the reality’
We have been doing that for close to 30 years
you have to ask yourself: ‘If we only do more of the same
will we ourselves become part of this status quo
or can we do something that will really make a difference?’ When B’Tselem was founded the intent wasn’t that we would celebrate 50 years of the organisation
It was presented to the Israeli public as temporary
It was presented to the world as temporary
into the 50th anniversary of the occupation
In the absence of international action it is very difficult to see anything else than can inform the thinking of Israelis and Palestinians and usher in a different future
We pick very carefully the international stages from which we make statements
The UNSC is the most important international body responsible for peace and security on the planet and we think it is a very appropriate venue
giving us a chance to be heard not just by the members of the council but by Israelis and Palestinians and by a global audience
your decision signalled a shift from trying to convince Israelis from within to trying to pressure Israel from outside
I guess there is not a yes/no answer to that question
but can you tell us your thinking about the balance that should be struck between those two approaches
you argued shortly after the speech that ‘the reality will not change if the world does not intervene’
What would be the agencies and modalities of that ‘intervention’
How would it bring the parties together not push them further apart
I want to agree with you – we don’t think it is a zero-sum game
our commitment to continue advocating to the Israeli public is not going to change
We are actually putting more resources into engaging Israelis
my speech in New York to the UNSC resonated very strongly in Tel Aviv
When you speak globally you are heard locally
And of course the international context helps to form the decision making of Israelis
It’s not that we are going to give up on that domestic aspect of what we do
It was always essential and will remain so
It’s just not sufficient to bring about change
I draw a distinction between statements and action
A prime example of the way that most statements don’t make a difference was that 2016 was the best year on record in terms of international statements against the demolishing of Palestinian homes on the West Bank
and the worst year on record in terms of demolitions
There were more Palestinian homes destroyed that year than in 2014 and 2015 combined
The Israeli government doesn’t care about statements
Statements coexist extremely well with demolitions
more statements are just going to usher in the next half century of the occupation
AJ: Boycotts are one mode of outside intervention favoured by some people
HE-A: As an organisation we don’t have a position
Most of our messaging is tailored for governments because they have responsibility
We think they are betraying that responsibility through their lack of action and their acquiescence with this reality
The one thing I will say about BDS is that it is a non-violent form of free speech
And the laws that have passed in Israel as a response to BDS – one in 2011 and one in 2017 – we think are completely inconsistent with basic democratic principles
The 2011 law – which makes you susceptible for civil litigation for damages if you support boycotts – was appealed to the High Court in Israel but it refused to intervene
even though the law is completely inconsistent with the basic principles of free speech
I think it is a no-brainer as a legal question
support boycotts; whether it be against factories damaging the environment or stores that are open on the Jewish Sabbath
And that is all acceptable; no one could sustain a lawsuit in those cases
The single issue on which Israelis are open to such litigation is when they engage in the effective boycott of settlement goods
It is the law that was backed by the High Court
Israel has been allowed to have it both ways
We have been allowed to run a military occupation of an entire people for half a century while at the same time to be considered internationally as a Western democracy with all the perks that go with that status
We think it is unacceptable that this is allowed to continue
We think it is improper and wrong and immoral that we have it both ways
And we think that therefore the question needs to be put before the Israeli public
AJ: In an article for Haaretz you wrote
it’s diplomatic terror.’ Let me put to you a certain kind of response to that
It would go something like this: ‘Isn’t that unbalanced
It implies that the Palestinians are blameless innocents
Are you not decontextualising the conflict because what you won’t talk about is Palestinian rejectionism
What about the fact that the Palestinians kicked out Salam Fayyad
the best nationalist state builder they had
What about Mahmoud Abbas being in the 12th year of a four-year term
Isn’t it your silence as an organisation on all this that leads some on the centre Left to distance themselves from you
The sceptics feel you adopt a position of “the enemy is at home” rather than stand for the human rights of all
rather than be critical of all human rights abusers
all obstacles to peace?’ How do you respond to that kind of criticism
HE-A: I certainly agree that it is not simple
and both Israelis and Palestinians have agency
it is correct to say it is not a balanced situation
These are not two equal sides that are freely negotiating with each other
The imbalance of power between Israelis and Palestinians is huge on all measures – not just militarily but also diplomatically
goes to the side that holds most of the power and is responsible for much – not all
whenever Israel has withdrawn from an area in recent times – southern Lebanon
And because of that they are extremely wary of simply getting out of the West Bank
the high ground above Israel’s narrow waist
People fear a terror threat from the West Bank if the IDF simply walks out
I think people have an issue with B’Tselem because they feel that they do not hear that complexity being reflected in what you say and do
They feel that your speech at the UN would have been better had it acknowledged some of that complexity and the difficulty of moving forward for those Israelis who do want to move forward
HE-A: It’s difficult for me to take that argument seriously
It’s not about messaging in a way that is more digestible
and to the rest of the world is the one thing that will make a difference
The one thing that is going to make a difference
and it has been going on for such a long time
that we are way beyond the point where its about making the message digestible
AJ: But human rights are important to Israelis
and a lot of Israelis see the deep problems a military occupation causes to a civilian population
But a lot of Israelis also don’t see the occupation in a vacuum – there’s a reason why it started and many reasons why it is continuing – and while some of those may be due to Israeli intransigence
others are down to Israeli security concerns and Palestinian historical and current rejectionism
Is it possible that talking solely about the human rights of Palestinians in this context just isn’t politically convincing
Are B’Tselem more interested in being right than being smart
How do they hope to influence Israelis by this strategy
That is the moment at which everyone is supposed to salute
if you probe under the surface of this discourse you will discover that over the last 50 years we’ve used security excuses day on and day out in order to advance what are seen as Israeli interests over the interests of the Palestinians
I am not saying that there are no valid security concerns
what does the theft of Palestinians land have to do with security
we could have had a situation in which there were no settlements
and a ‘proper’ military occupation until a political resolution of the situation
In that situation it would be a matter of working out how the Israeli army and the Israeli occupying authorities should conduct themselves in relation to the occupied civilian population in the meantime
after such a long time there would still be the question of political rights and the ability of people to take decisions with regards to their own future
But what I have just described has nothing to do with the reality for Palestinians in the West Bank and in East Jerusalem
What’s the relationship between the treatment of Palestinians in East Jerusalem – lack of classrooms
Security is invoked as a convenient excuse
this undermines the genuine security concerns
If 80 per cent is nonsense it damns the credibility of the remainder which is meaningful
AJ: How do you see B’Tselem’s relationship with the Israeli opposition parties
Yair Lapid has attacked B’Tselem and I think I’m right that Isaac Herzog has pretty much ignored B’Tselem
How can B’Tselem have an impact on policy and legislation
if the opposition parties have this attitude
HE-A: I think there is a question about the extent to which those parties actually are an opposition
If we use the future of the occupation as the test
as the way to place those parties on a political spectrum in Israel
then we can distinguish between those political parties that are content with one variation of another or the status quo for a significant time to come
and two parties – Meretz and the Joint List – which are very committed to advocating for an alternative to the status quo
I think here the Israeli public is in a better place than the political leaderships
Our public opinion research demonstrates that there is a much bigger minority in Israeli society – a minority but still a significant one – that rejects the current reality but which is not properly represented in the Knesset
which is non-partisan and not running for election
It’s about the ability to call things as they are to the Israeli public
I think there is a lot of desire in Israeli society not to discuss this issue
But there were two moments in the last year when this issue – as despised and hated as it is – was discussed very broadly
One was after the video footage of the shooting of the Palestinian perpetrator by an Israeli soldier
He was caught on camera by a former volunteer of B’Tselem Video Project
from the Prime Minister down; portrayed as a fifth column
a treasonous entity in the service of sinister foreign powers
Time and again we bring this issue into the living rooms of the Israeli public
even if people don’t want to see and don’t want to hear
Even if you assumed for a second that all the lies they tell about us are true
13 million people are still going to wake up to exactly the same reality
and here is the real question: what is the government’s plan with regards to the future
AJ: If you were writing a report card on the state of Israeli democracy today
HE-A: We are in a bad spot and it’s getting worse
If you consider the illiberal and anti-democratic laws already passed and those in the pipeline
the space for Israeli democracy has been shrinking for a long time
Not just since the recent crop of laws but since 1967
the space has been shrinking for most of the time that my country has existed because we deny rights to an entire people
So that is the major problem with Israeli democracy
we have also been seeing developments within Israel itself
I feel very strongly that you can not have this reality on one side of the Green Line and assume that it’s not going to have toxic effects on the other side of the Green Line
When I was director of ACRI there was a lively and important education department
Their deep sense of decency and the level of commitment to engaging with teenagers and encouraging them to value human rights always inspired me
You can say all the right things in the classroom
but then they go out and they see reality as it is
They see the way we treat the Palestinians as less than equals
And they see that everyone is just fine with it
And everyone’s been just fine for as long as those teenagers have been alive
and as long as the previous generation has been alive
So ask yourself: why would they take human rights seriously when they see that our reality
That has catastrophic implications for attitudes to human rights in Israeli society
The recent crop of illiberal and anti-democratic laws in Israel are inspired by that non-democratic context because
then why not do it to the people that are not ‘loyal,’ like myself and others who oppose this reality
All of these laws are part of that process of silencing
And unless we end the occupation sooner rather than later
first and foremost Palestinians will continue to pay a horrible price
I was wondering if B’Tselem takes up the cases of Palestinians whose human rights are violated by Hamas and The Palestinian Authority
In response to the comment from FELIX SHEPTON :
Gaza and East Jerusalem.” There are two common denominators in what was written and they are
of the NGO is to report on Israel and human rights violations and what Hamas or other bodies do is beyond their writ
In response to Felix Shepton and Jonathan Gray: No B’Tselem does not take up the cases of Palestinians whose human rights are violated and that organization is unwilling to do so
left B’Tselem as his desire to also report on human rights violations of Palestinians by the Palestinian governing bodies was not allowed by B’Tselem
Now he travels the world reporting on the human rights violations of Palestinians by Palestinians
he does not have the financial or political support of those European nations and European and non-European individuals to ensure that his voice is heard
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was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7
His body was found by the IDF in a cemetery in Khan Yunis
a key figure in the hostages' families movement
saying 'he could have been saved' if not for political considerations
2024The Israeli army reported that it retrieved the body of Elad Katzir
who was kidnapped during Hamas' October 7 attack
intelligence shows he was killed in January in captivity by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and his body was found buried in Khan Yunis
Open gallery viewElad KatzirIt was also reported that the rescue operation
was not carried out under fire and that there were no terrorists in the area where the body was found
The army added that his body was identified by medical officials at the Forensic Medicine Institute
was kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel
He was initially considered missing and was later declared hostage into Gaza by the army
Islamic Jihad released two videos showing Katzir
he was shown alongside the hostage Gadi Mosez
he was seen grieving over the alleged death of his friend Tamir Adar
Katzir's mother, Hanna, was released after 49 days in captivity
Open gallery viewCarmit Pelti-Katzir speaks at a demonstration in Tel Aviv next to a picture of her brother Elad
in FebruaryCredit: Tomer AppelbaumShe also wrote that "Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
the cabinet and the IDF have no idea where most of the hostages are being held
and they have no way to get them even when they know where they are."
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said that Katzir "was held alive for three months
during which signs of life were given and reports of his condition reached Israel
Three months in which there was a possibility of saving him and returning him alive to his family and country."
The forum added that "the recovery of his body is a painful
immediate and difficult reminder that time is running out for the hostages
The forum appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the war cabinet
saying that "the State of Israel will not be able to recover if we bury all 133 hostages who were left behind