Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to give Jewish Agency £4m

Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich is to give the Jewish Agency for Israel £3.9M ($5 million) to help in its mission around the world.

The Russian-Israeli oligarch announced the commitment on Thursday and continues his recent efforts to counter antisemitism.

In recent months he has worked with other Jewish football club owners around the world to help use sport to educate fans about the dangers of hatred and intolerance, most recently sending Chelsea directors on a march to Auschwitz.

The Jewish Agency works with Jewish communities around the world, especially in countries where Jewish communities are particularly vulnerable, and is the largest Jewish non-profit organisation in the world.

Last year Abramovich was given an award by the Federation of Jewish Communities to commend his philanthropic contribution of over $500 million to Jewish causes around the world over the past 15 years.

Chairman of the Jewish Agency Isaac Herzog applauded Abramovich “for taking the initiative to combat antisemitism” and said money like his was still sorely needed.

“Jewish communities around the world are coping with record numbers of dangerous, antisemitic attacks,” said Herzog.

“I am grateful for Roman Abramovich’s contribution to our efforts to ensure Jews are safe in their communities around the world. Unfortunately, as I’ve said after too many recent attacks, Jews are once again unsafe on the streets of Europe. It’s a fact.”