Record shows US sold ambassador's home in Isreal for $67M (to Sheldon Adelson)

[demmiblue]

JERUSALEM -- The United States sold the ambassador’s residence in Israel for more than $67 million in July, according to an official Israeli record of the sale that shines new light on a transaction that has been shrouded in secrecy.

The State Department confirmed the sale in September but refused to identify the buyer or disclose the sale price of the sprawling beachfront compound in the upscale Tel Aviv suburb of Herzliya. On Tuesday, it said the sale had been “open and transparent.”

The Israeli business newspaper Globes has identified the buyer as the U.S. casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, a strong supporter of both President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A representative of Adelson said the billionaire had no comment.

At more than $67 million, it appears to be the most expensive single residence ever sold in Israel. Congressional aides told The Associated Press in September that lawmakers in the House and Senate were looking into whether the sale of the residence complied with regulations.

The sale helped to cement Trump's controversial decision to relocate the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to contested Jerusalem in 2018 and to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital. By selling the residence, it would make it harder for future presidents to reverse the decision to move the embassy. President-elect Joe Biden has criticized the decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem but says he will not reverse it.

https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/record-shows-us-sold-ambassadors-home-israel-67m-74945980

[tanyev]

1. I wonder how many millions Sheldon donated to a Trump PAC at the same time???

[Midnight Writer]

2. Wouldn't surprise me if Trump moved the embassy because Sheldon wanted the house.

[Grins]

3. He and his awful wife should move there.

Permanently. And give up his US citizenship. He is more Israeli than American.