Hebrew daily "Yediot Ahronot" reports that the Clinton Foundation, established by former US President Bill Clinton, received $500,000 for the 45-minute speech that he will deliver to honor President Shimon Peres on June 17 at the Peres Academic Center in Rehovot. The amount, equal to almost NIS 2 million, was paid to Clinton a year in advance to guarantee his engagement for the ceremony.
The money for Bill Clinton's expensive visit was raised last year from Peres Academic Center donors. The Jewish National Fund's overseas branches participated in the funding. The Jewish National Fund was involved in financing the visit because in the same week it is also hosting the Israeli President's Conference, which will be attended by donors from 40 countries.
The payment for Bill Clinton's engagement will not go to him, but to the Clinton Foundation, which focuses on global environment and health issues.
The JNF spokesman's office stated in response, "The Peres Academic Center in Rehovot invited Clinton, closed the financial terms with him, and paid him."
The Peres Academic Center said in response, "President Bill Clinton will be the guest of honor at the special tribute which the center will hold in Rehovot. The event at the Center's campus will be held in the presence of the President of Israel, ministers, and public figures. Belying previous reports, it was decided that there will be no fundraising at the event, and people attending will not be asked to pay for their participation."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 2, 2013
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