Sheldon Adelson, the longtime casino magnate who relied heavily on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump, died Tuesday of complications from treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was 87.
The news of his death printed other articles in the front pages of Israeli newspapers. It has also been widely reported in America’s electronic and print media, as well as in many other publications around the world.
Politicians and public figures in Israel and the US quickly paid tribute and sent their condolences to the Adelson family after the Jewish tycoon was born in Boston.
Deprived of his social media accounts, Trump could not tweet his feelings about the man who contributed so much to his campaign.
Adelson was in regular contact with Trump after taking office and seeing some of his cherished goals regarding Israel come to fruition, including moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem in a break with decades of U.S. policy, Reuters reported . In May 2018, Adelson attended the inauguration ceremony of the embassy in Jerusalem.
He and his wife were guests at large events in the White House.
Donald Trump Jr. said on his social media account: ‘Sheldon was a true American patriot and a giant among men. He treated his employees like family. His philanthropic generosity has changed many lives. The relationship between the US and Israel is stronger today because of him. ”
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President Reuven Rivlin wrote on his Twitter account: “Sad at the passing of Sheldon Adelson who loved the Jewish people and Israel and was a great American patriot, and who strengthened the ties between Israel and America with unlimited generosity. Condolences to Miriam and the whole family. May his memory be a blessing. ”
Netanyahu had a special relationship with Adelson, who allegedly launched his free daily newspaper Israel Hayom for Netanyahu’s benefit. He released a statement saying he and his wife, Sara, were saddened by Adelson’s passing.
“He was for us personally a wonderful friend and an incredible supporter of the Jewish people, the Jewish state and the alliance between Israel and America,” Netanyahu said. ‘Sheldon unashamedly loved America and cherished the freedom and opportunity it offered him. He worked tirelessly to ensure that the same freedom and opportunity would be given to others in America and around the world.
‘The warmth of his heart, the clarity of his thinking and the decisiveness of his actions were truly exceptional. From a humble beginning in a Boston suburb, he has become one of the greatest entrepreneurs and philanthropists in the world.
‘With his wife Miri, he has endlessly contributed to the strengthening of the Jewish people and the Jewish state, to financing breakthroughs in medicine and science and the promotion of higher education. He gave anonymously to help victims of terror and numerous other people in need.
‘Sara and I mourn with Miri and the family a good friend, a great man and a great Jewish patriot.
“We will never forget him. May his memory be blessed. ”
The Washington Post reports Adelson’s demise with the headline: “With the death of Sheldon Adelson, Netanyahu loses the main supporter.”
The chairman of the Jewish Agency, Isaac Herzog, called Adelson ‘the modern Montefiore’ and said that he was’ one of the great Jewish leaders of this generation ‘who’ always stood out for his friendly attitude, openness, modesty and accessibility – even if we do not agree. I loved him very much. ”
Former United States President George W. Bush said in a statement: “He was an American patriot, who struggled out of a difficult neighborhood in Boston to build a successful business.
“He was a generous benefactor of charity and a strong supporter of Israel.”
Bush invited Adelson to join his entourage when he visited Israel for the 60-year existence of the state for independence.
Adelson’s life “is the best of the American dream,” US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.
“From his service to his country in the U.S. Army, to his entrepreneurial spirit, to his efforts to strengthen the alliance between Israel and the United States, Sheldon’s life was of great consequence,” he said. “The world, Israel and the United States are safer because of their work. His philanthropic donation has impacted the world of medicine, education, and the lives of Jewish Americans. His political involvement strengthened our democracy. ”
“Our country has lost a remarkable man with the death of my friend Sheldon Adelson,” Senate Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement, adding that Adelson “dumped his success in philanthropy, from treating drug abuse to research on cancer and other diseases to countless Jewish causes around the world that were especially close to his heart. ”
The Republican Jewish Coalition praised Adelson for being “one of the most important figures in American Jewish history” and called him “an extraordinary philanthropist and a dear mentor and friend.”
Birthright, to which Adelson gave tens of millions of dollars, calls him “a man of vision, action, Zionism and inspiration.”
Health Minister Yuli Edelstein wrote: “The late Sheldon Adelson was a Zionist in everything he did, a warm Jew with a great love for the State of Israel … His activities in Israel and around the world for the state was known. His passing is a loss to all lovers of Israel. “
“During my time as chairman of Birthright’s steering committee, Sheldon was one of the biggest contributors to the program,” he wrote. ‘I saw his actions, dedication, caring and generosity up close. I saw firsthand how important Zionism was to him, as was the legacy of his father, as he indicated earlier. Over the years, we have both been honored and humbled to work with the Adelson family, which ultimately guarantees the future of the Jewish people. ”
The chairman of the World Zionist Organization, Yaakov Hagoel, expressed his condolences in a statement, calling Adelson “one of the greatest supporters and contributors in our generation to Zionism, Israel and the Jewish people.”
The American ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, tweeted: “Although blessed with great wealth, he had extraordinary humility and faith. No one will fill his shoes. ”
US Ambassador Ron Dermer tweeted: “The Jewish people mourn one of his proudest sons, Sheldon Adelson, who has dedicated himself to strengthening his people, his homeland and the ties between his beloved America and Israel. He was a true giant, as good as he big, whose memory will never be forgotten. ‘
Although Adelson was a strong and influential supporter of the Republican Party, his parents were strong Democrats. If asked about it, he would say he did not leave the Democratic Party; it left him.
Adelson, who has been influential in Israeli politics, said in various interviews that he does not believe wealthy people use their money to interfere in politics, but as long as it is doable, he will do so.
He was the main financial supporter of Freedom’s Watch, a group now discontinued and founded to counter the influence of George Soros.
Adelson, known for his many and varied business endeavors, even as a young boy showed considerable business acumen. At age 12, he borrowed $ 200 from his uncle, who made a lot of money in 1945, and used it to buy a license to sell newspapers. Much later in his life he owned three newspapers: Israel Hayom, Makor Rishon and the Las Vegas Review Journal. In 2007, he made an unsuccessful attempt to buy Maariv.
When he was 16, he borrowed $ 10,000 from his uncle to start a candy vending machine business. He started many other businesses.
After becoming a casino magnate, long before his marriage to his Israeli wife, Miriam, the publisher of Israel Hayom, he wanted to open a casino in Eilat. But every time he tried, he got a serious opposition because the Israeli government was afraid that a casino would be the core of an Israeli mafia.
Adelson fought the mainstream of cannabis legislation because his adopted son Mitchell, who was the son of his first wife, died of an overdose of cocaine and heroin.
Last year it was reported that he had paid $ 67 million for what had been the official residence of the US ambassador in Herzliya Pituah for years. It was marketed by the US State Department and sold to the highest bidder. This is probably the highest price paid for a single family in Israel.
Adelson also owned property in Jerusalem. Mayor Moshe Lion added his voice to those who passed away over Adelson’s passing and who were aware of his important contribution to the image and development of Jerusalem.