Switzerland

After the fall of the Soviet Union, numerous oligarchs decided to move assets siphoned from the Russian populace out of Russia. One major safe haven for these assets has been Switzerland.

Kantor lived in Switzerland from 1993 to 2017. 

According to the Geneva land register, he still owns a large property in Cologny on Chemin de Ruth which had once caused a stir: His neighbour Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum in Davos, had unsuccessfully opposed the pharaonic works Kantor planned for his property: the construction of a villa (with indoor swimming pool, underground garage and an access tunnel to the garden) and a separate building to host his art gallery (405 m2).

From 1994 to 2009, the Geneva company Fimochim SA acted as a service company for his Akron group.

His son, Vladimir, who co-directs the Akron company, studied at the International School of Geneva, then at the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne. At the end of his studies, he had an internship at Credit Suisse.

In 2011 Moshe Kantor commissioned a new Torah for the Chabad House of Geneva.

Moshe Kantor was dancing hand in hand with Chabad rabbis in Geneva welcoming a new Torah he donated.

Art

Many of the Russian superrich have deep connections to the art world. Russian billionaires have extensively penetrated the arts and used art for both personal enrichment and nationalist ends. Art provided an ideal means of diversifying kleptocratic wealth. Art, bought through private sellers or international auction houses, would serve as a far more opaque investment than property or cash, allowing Russian elites to launder money and circulate wealth surreptitiously. The art world has long facilitated this activity and willingly turned a blind eye.

While using the art world in these ways, Kantor has uniquely used his Jewish identity not only as a justification for his art collection but give himself a prestigious image in the Jewish world and viewed as a prominent figure in the global Zionist network. 

The self-appointed patron of Jewish arts, Kantor, attempts to reason that his huge art collection is driven by a desire to "prove that Jews possessed and still possess artistic skills in all areas and that they were even among the most prominent artists." That doesn't explain why he would need to buy all of the artwork. 

Also, who is he proving this to? Also his collection is largely hidden away from public view in a private museum and in his vast number of properties around the world. 

Kantor's Museum of Avant-Garde Mastery (MAGMA) is a continually renewed collection of hundreds of artworks, including paintings by famous Russian artists of Jewish origin. The Museum’s mission lies in disseminating the ideas of tolerance and reconciliation in the world and uniting humanity to face the challenges posed by terrorism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism. Kantor has ingeniously grafted identity politics onto his art collection which suggest the possibility this could be part of a intelligence operation.

With his art collection Kantor has positioned himself with the ability to easily move his extremely valuable art collection to location he chooses to exhibit such as Israel with little questions being asked.

Israel

To encourage aliyah, Israel refrains from taxing foreign assets belonging to immigrants and returning residents for 10 years. This tax break makes Israel a safe haven for wealthy foreign Jews and one that Kantor has undoubtedly exploited.

This is very evident inside Kantor's Herzliya Pituah mansion were the walls draped in museum-quality Gobelin tapestries.

In 2010, Kantor established the Kantor Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry at Tel Aviv University. In 2019, Yad Vashem nominated Moshe Kantor as Chancellor of the Council, and before it he served as its Member of Directorate since 2010.

Israel continues to avoid joining Western sanctions against Russian oligarchs in the wake of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Nothing quite spelled that out when a fleet of private jets belonging to Russian oligarchs within 10 days once sanctions were announced.

When sanctions hit Kantor, he used his connections with the Israeli government to lobby on his behalf. Fellow Chabadnik, Israeli President Isaac Herzog has asked French President Emmanuel Macron for help getting the European sanctions lifted.

World Holocaust Forum 2020

"The Holocaust was an essential tool used to bring about the establishment of the State of Israel. In 2006, it is the most effective tool we have to fight against anti-Semitism and to protect Israel."

Moshe Kantor interview Oct 2006

In January 2020 just days before the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.,

Yad Vashem hosted the World Holocaust Forum for a two-day event. The event was organized by founder Viatcheslav Moshe Kantor, who s also the Council Chancellor of the Yad Vashem.

The event was attended by an astounding gathering of at least 45 presidents, kings, premiers, and world leaders. 

In the midst of the impeachment proceedings, evangelical, born again Christian, US Vice President Mike Pence and Congressional leader Nancy Pelosi flew to Israel to attend.

Kantor's World Holocaust Forum 2020 attended by many world leaders. Kantor is pictured in the first row wearing a red tie.

Moshe Kantor and then-Prince Charles in discussion at the World Holocaust Forum 2020.

King Charles III 

While Kantor and then Prince Charles were first photographed together at the World Holocaust Forum 2020, there is justification behind the belief they had a relationship prior. 

Alongside his wife Anna, Kantor has been a benefactor of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation since 2013. Very wealthy people from around the world financially support Royal Opera House as they see it as a possible way to meet other wealthy people and make inroads with the British Royal Family.

The Royal Opera House has had a long and proud history with the British Royal Family. The Royal Ballet was awarded its Royal Charter in 1956, and The Royal Opera in 1968. Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became Patron of The Royal Ballet in 1956, while the former Prince of Wales became patron of The Royal Opera and Royal Opera House in 1975 and 2009, respectively.

It is likely then Prince Charles and Kantor met via their association with The Royal Opera.

Another connection between the two men is the renowned classical architect Willie Bertrum. Bertrum, who has previously worked on projects for King Charles, is Charles' most favored architect and the King has been known to recommend Bertrum to his friends. Bertrum is the architect of Kantor's $12m planned super-mansion in the Hampstead Garden Suburb. The super-mansion project has been halted since Kantor was hit by sanctioned when his name was included on the 'Putin List'.

The super-mansion project isn't Kantor's only casualty as a result of the sanctions. His charitable causes; Kantor Charitable Foundation and World Holocaust Forum Foundation had their bank accounts frozen.

The Kantor Charitable Foundation promised £3 million to The Prince’s Foundation, a charity set up by Prince Charles. The Prince’s Foundation, an educational charity established by the Prince of Wales, received £600,000 from Dr Kantor’s charity as part of a £3 million sum to be paid in increments until 2028, according to the BBC.

Kantor was criticized by the Charity Commission for failing to resign as a trustee from his World Holocaust Foundation charity after being sanctioned by the UK government.

The charity’s registration application to the Commission, which was submitted in March 2021, set out that its estimated gross annual income was to be more than £2 million. The charity had expected this income to come from grant funding provided by various charities with which Kantor was associated at that time. Yet on the charity's website it claims the foundation was established in 2004.

As a result of the sanctions Kantor was no longer permitted to hold a senior role within a UK registered charity. However, he continued to be listed as a trustee for the charity World Holocaust Forum Foundation, An inquiry ascertained that the charity had not carried out any activities in pursuit of its objectives since its inception, nor did it have a bank account or any other assets or sources of income.

This raises questions on what Kantor was really planning with this specific charity. The foundations number one objective is listed as 'the organisation and administration of international forums on a continuing basis.' 

Which raises the question, was this charity going to be a conduit to move Kantor's money out of London, in a similar way to how he moved his art assets? He just didn't get around to it before he was sanctioned?

Architect drawing of Kantor's planned super-mansion

Marylebone Royal Hospital

In his efforts to maintain good standing with the British Royal Family and improve his public image, Kantor used his vast wealth to donate £9 million to King Edward VII’s Hospital in Marylebone via The Kantor Charitable Foundation. For his donation Kantor was made a "life governor" of the private hospital in Marylebone, of which the Queen is patron. The hospital, removed his name from the new wing following the sanctions.

Kantor Medical Centre, King Edward VII's Hospital

Macron

In 2017, Kantor, president of the EJC led a delegation of European Jewish leaders. Kantor made enough inroads with the French President that Marcon accepted an invitation to Israel to attend the World Holocaust Forum 2020 and give a speech. In doing so, Macron gave the event the attention Kantor desired and give the event an international significance beyond Jewish communities.

French President Emmanuel Macron shaking hands with EJC President Moshe Kantor

When Kantor was hit with sanctions, the European Jewish Congress, an organisation he finances began lobbying for the removal of Kantor from the European Union’s sanctions list, hilariously arguing that his inclusion was causing the destruction of European Jewish life.

An argument can be made that Kantor's rhetoric has been very damaging to 'European Jewish life' promoting hysteria regarding antisemitism that causes fear, paranoia, stifling of assimilation, self-isolation and even hatred of non-Jews.

“According to surveys, more than 80 percent of Jews say they feel unsafe in Europe today… more than 40% said they have considered leaving the continent” Kantor said during his WHF2020 address.

No source for Kantor's claims was given but the '80%' line has been a claim he has made repeatedly.

In an open letter to French President Emmanuel Macron the EJV argued that “nothing is more false” than the charge that Kantor is “part of the group of oligarchs that surrounds [Putin] and is helping him in his war against Ukraine.”

One can make the argument that Kantor has been assisting Putin's anti-Ukraine propaganda by wildly exaggerating the amount of antisemitism within Europe at every opportunity during his time at the helm of the European Jewish Congress. One of the Russian propaganda machine's main talking points for the justification for the invasion of Ukraine is to 'de-nazify' the country.-

On top of that in a January 2016 meeting Putin thanked the representatives of the European Jewish Congress, including its president, Viatcheslav Moshe Kantor, for counteracting the glorification of Nazism, stating "we consider your organization, one of the most representative non-governmental organizations in Europe, to be Russia’s natural ally in the struggle against xenophobia, anti-Semitism and manifestation of extreme views,"

In response Kantor said “we commend the Russian authorities in the fight against those who target Jews" 

"The situation of the Jews in Europe is the worst it has been since the end of the Second World War, Jews are again living in fear and there is a very real prospect of an exodus of Jews from certain parts of Europe." Something the Israeli passport carrying Zionist Kantor seemingly is trying to will into existence.

"There are more Jews who are escaping from France, which is thought to be very safe, than from the war in Ukraine."

Russia invaded Crimea in response to the Euromaidan revolution that resulted in Putin's puppet Viktor Yanukovych fleeing to Russia.

Putin is happy to let more people flee to Russia, in response to Kantor, Putin suggested that European Jews "should come here, to Russia. We are ready to accept them."

Kantor responded "This is a fundamentally new idea and we will certainly discuss it at the congress. I hope we will support you."

Putin's offer was also another anti-Western provocation.

In the meeting there was no mention of Putin's support for far-right political groups or his geopolitical 'brain' Aleksandr Dugin's role in the rise of pro-Russia far-right and their part in any rise in antisemitism. Maybe this piece of the puzzle gives a glimpse into their elaborate plans.

Previously in 2003, Vladimir Putin used his relationship with Center for the National Interest's Chairman Hank Greenberg (AIG) to pursue the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik provisions in the United States in an attempt to limit Russia's brain drain. Putin's suggestion to take in European Jews may be an opportunistic suggestion and a long shot at reversing the brain drain trend. If so, in recent years, the trend has continued.

Fortunately on 16 January 2025 the EU rejected Kantor's legal attempt to have sanctions against him lifted.

EJC delegation met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia's Chief Rabbi Berel Lazar in January 2016

Anti-Defamation League (ADL)

Just days after the EJC's 2016 meeting with Putin, the Anti-Defamation League led by Jonathan Greenblatt announced the Anti-Defamation League has entered a partnership with Kantor's EJC. Bringing together two well funded and well connected Zionist networks giving them a true global reach.

“I’ve only been in this position for six months, but I think it is incumbent on me to do all I can to battle these phenomena of radical Islam on the one hand and of right-wing parties gaining ground on the other hand,” Greenblatt told the Forward in a 28 January 2016 interview, parroting Kantor's talking points..

ADL’s expansion into Europe, Greenblatt said, is driven by rising incidents of anti-Semitism in France and other Western European countries, and by the gains made recently in France by right-wing extremist political parties.

“I deeply believe that working in coalitions makes us grow and that we can learn from our compatriots in Europe,” Greenblatt said. “We don’t intend to open offices in Europe. We’d rather build coalitions with the communities and benefit from their insight.”

Kantor, who is a donor to the ADL, said the partnership was a “natural outcome” of the two groups’ work in recent years.

“We will work together to create and craft common messages for decision-makers on both continents which could assist with both European decision-makers visiting the US and American decision-makers visiting Europe,” Kantor said, adding that this cooperation “will also allow us to share the concerns that we hear while meeting with officials and produce a better coordination between Jewish organizations across the Atlantic.”

ADL and EJC have signed a memorandum of understanding

With all that has been explained here this 'co-operation' can be viewed as an infiltration of a powerful Putin ally into the ADL sphere.

The Anti-Defamation League CEO and Director Jonathan Greenblatt talking with then European Jewish Congress President Dr. Moshe Kantor