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Bronfman and Singer in happier times: sidekick no more
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| By israelinsider staff March 17, 2007 |
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The scandal-ravaged World Jewish Congress lurched toward self-destruction, as President Edgar Bronfman, Jr. publicly sacked longtime pet Israel Singer, who had been demoted to the position of Policy Council Chairman after serious financial irregularities were discovered in recent years. The Israeli branch protested the dismissal, with one unnamed representative calling the organization founder mentally unstable and trying to install his son Mathew in the leadership position.
Singer's reputation as a prominent Jewish leader had been sullied by a 2006 report commissioned by Eliot Spitzer, then New York's attorney general, that concluded Singer had improperly made personal use of WJC funds. No criminal charges were filed. However, Bronfman had until now supported Singer, and had led the attack against whistleblower Isi Leibler, a former executive of the organization, who had brought the improprieties to light and was drummed out of the organization for his candid muckraking.
The Israeli source described the humiliating manner in which Singer, former chief executive of the organization under Bronfman, was dismissed.
"When the phone calls started everyone who was supposed to be there said their names, and then Edgar Bronfman fired Israel Singer. After thirty years of standing by his side, and considerable accomplishments. I've never heard of that in the Jewish world. To publicly fired someone? Instead of privately talking to them? It's just not done, and it shouldn't be done," the source, quoted in ynetnews, said.
"Bronfman said he had evidence that Singer has not been good, that he was not fighting against the Israeli chapter enough, and that he was not doing enough for Bronfman's son, Mathew," he added.
There were apparently "technical problems" which prevented opponents of Bronfman from speaking during the call. The microphones of all those critical of Bronfman were inoperable during the conference. "This was an illegal meeting," the source said. "It becomes a pretty odd coincidence that in 3 continents, those who are opposed to Bronfman couldn't speak."
The source quoted by ynetnews personally attacked the President, doubting his mental faculties, and accusing him of nepotism. "Edgar Bronfman is basically senile. He has one good day and two bad days. He is no longer capable of running organization. He announced: I'm president and I'll step down whenever I feel like it," the source said. "That means, he'll step down only when his son, Mathew, is ready to take power. Mathew does not have experience," the source said, adding: "What are we, Mubarak? Assad? The guy's president for 27 years, then he puts his son in. It doesn't look good."
To Bronfman's defense came Pinchas Shapiro, of the WJC's US branching, saying that the Israeli's comments were " based upon the worst kind of personal politics I have ever witnessed. Mr. Bronfman is far from senile. I personally have met with him several times this week, he is lucid and physically fit. Rumors about his so-called failing health are false and are simply disgusting. They are part of a political campaign to divert attention from the fact that the Israeli Branch and its former director were in severe violation of their fiduciary responsibilities," Shapiro added. He described the source's statements as "scurrilous and false allegations," adding that they were "offensive and are the last attempts of those people have done things wrong to divert attention from themselves and throw it on someone else. Ultimately, they are responsible for what has happened."
Shapiro went on the attack against the Israeli leadership. "The WJC uncovered significant financial irregularities at the WJC Israel Branch and Institute. There was an extensive 20-month cover-up of the wrongdoing by those involved and now it has been ended," Shapiro said, adding: "WJC grants to the Branch have been suspended and the misappropriated money has been ordered to be returned. Mr. Bronfman insisted that the WJC stand for integrity and the Steering Committee supported his call."
"Had the Branch come in, cleaned up the financial irregularities and complied with all the laws, regulations, policies and procedures, none of this would have happened," Shapiro added. "The fact is that they didn't because they were covering up improper financial behavior. Standing for integrity, the WJC acted morally, legally and properly to stop their improper financial behavior," he said. Shapiro also dismissed objections to Singer's firing: "Mr. Singer was an employee of the WJC, he can be fired or resign, just as I can be fired or resign."
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