New York activists crash settler funder’s Madison Avenue gala

Thirty New York City human rights activists chanted, "You're glitz, you're glam, you're building on Palestinian land," and "All your diamonds cannot hide, your support for Apartheid." Protesters called on New York City's upscale residents to boycott Leviev's diamonds. Disconcerted attendees hastily exited to their limousines to loud chants of, "Occupation is a drag, just say no to your gift bag."

Lev Leviev is one of Israel's richest men. He built his enormous fortune trading in diamonds with Apartheid-era South Africa. His company now buys diamonds from the repressive Angolan government. Leviev uses profits from diamond sales to fuel the conflict in Palestine and Israel by funding the construction of suburban developments for Israeli settlers on occupied Palestinian land in the West Bank, undermining the prospects for Middle East peace, and threatening farmers' ability to survive and remain in their homes. Leviev's diamonds are "conflict diamonds" in a broad sense of the term, funding repression in Angola and violations of international law in Palestine.

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