Read Online The Jerusalem Assassin by Avraham Azrieli - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Avraham Azrieli
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and smoke.” Lemmy returned the book to the shelf. “A smart banker can benefit from studying clients’ faiths, notwithstanding your personal religion, because there’s always a business opportunity when a rich man’s mind is possessed by spiritual beliefs that cloud his logic and reason.”
Christopher laughed.
“According to my research, the az-Zubayr tribe has a historic aspiration to rule Haram El-Sharif. Just like the Saudi clan is the Kharass al-Hameini , Guardians of Mecca, the tribe of az-Zubayr claims to be the Kharass El-Sharif , Guardians of the Dome of the Rock.”
“Isn’t Jerusalem the capital of Israel?”
“The Israelis unified Jerusalem during the Six Day War, but they gave control of Temple Mount to the Muslim Wakf, which is an independent religious council of mullahs. Later, King Hussein of Jordan was pressured by the PLO to give up his rights in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Now Arafat is getting ready to negotiate the final phase of the Oslo Accords, hoping to obtain East Jerusalem as capital of Palestine. But other powers are at play.”
“The prince?”
“Correct. Even though his father has pledged loyalty to the Saudis, Prince Abusalim harbors ambitions to recover the status of Kharass El-Sharif . He must choose who to support—Arafat and the Oslo peace process or the militants committed to destroying Israel.”
“How would he choose?”
“Arafat is already getting billions from the Europeans and Americans. His opponents, on the other hand, need money for their anti-Oslo jihad. Prince Abusalim can make a deal with them. When Israel is gone, they’ll anoint him Kharass El-Sharif , Guardian of the Dome of the Rock, restoring the hereditary birthright for the tribe of az-Zubayr.”
“Sounds like a dangerous fantasy.”
“Clients’ fantasies are a major force in the banking business. What is wealth but a fantasy?” Lemmy sat back in his chair. “He has gotten several deposits through Citibank in New York, right?”
“Yes.”
“Does he maintain an account there?”
“No. It’s a conduit.”
“But Citibank knows where each deposit came from, correct?”
Christopher nodded.
“Will they tell us?”
“Not directly, but when I worked in New York, I noticed a weakness in the system.” Christopher took a piece of paper and scribbled a diagram. “Citibank sent us electronic funds for Prince Abusalim’s account. If we reject the transfer, it would bounce back to Citibank, which in turn would bounce it back to the original bank, which would issue an electronic receipt for the returned funds. Usually the acknowledgment bears the account’s information.”
“So if we ask on behalf of the client that Citibank provides a copy of the acknowledgment, we’ll see the source of the money?” Lemmy thought for a moment. “Let’s do a partial rejection, a hundred dollars from each deposit, and see what comes back.”
Christopher hesitated. “Without client authorization?”
“It’s in the prince’s interest that we know his affairs, even if he doesn’t realize it.”
“Still early in New York City. We could get a confirmation today, unless they smell a rotten fish and call the prince directly.”
“It’s a risk I’m willing to take.” Lemmy watched Christopher reach the door. “By the way, which kibbutz?”
“Excuse me?”
“That summer you spent in Israel, which kibbutz was it?”
“Oh, it was in the north, near the Lebanese border.” He hesitated. “I’m not sure about the name.”
Lemmy wasn’t going to let him off the hook so easily. “Was it Haifa?”
“No, Haifa is a city.” Christopher’s forehead creased in a show of mental effort. “I think…it was called…Gesher.”
*
Shortly after two p.m., Bathsheba noticed another green Peugeot 605. It came from the direction of Ermenonville and made a left turn onto the highway ramp.
Gideon followed. “Get the camera. Elie wants photos. He thinks they might be using decoys to check for
Christopher laughed.
“According to my research, the az-Zubayr tribe has a historic aspiration to rule Haram El-Sharif. Just like the Saudi clan is the Kharass al-Hameini , Guardians of Mecca, the tribe of az-Zubayr claims to be the Kharass El-Sharif , Guardians of the Dome of the Rock.”
“Isn’t Jerusalem the capital of Israel?”
“The Israelis unified Jerusalem during the Six Day War, but they gave control of Temple Mount to the Muslim Wakf, which is an independent religious council of mullahs. Later, King Hussein of Jordan was pressured by the PLO to give up his rights in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Now Arafat is getting ready to negotiate the final phase of the Oslo Accords, hoping to obtain East Jerusalem as capital of Palestine. But other powers are at play.”
“The prince?”
“Correct. Even though his father has pledged loyalty to the Saudis, Prince Abusalim harbors ambitions to recover the status of Kharass El-Sharif . He must choose who to support—Arafat and the Oslo peace process or the militants committed to destroying Israel.”
“How would he choose?”
“Arafat is already getting billions from the Europeans and Americans. His opponents, on the other hand, need money for their anti-Oslo jihad. Prince Abusalim can make a deal with them. When Israel is gone, they’ll anoint him Kharass El-Sharif , Guardian of the Dome of the Rock, restoring the hereditary birthright for the tribe of az-Zubayr.”
“Sounds like a dangerous fantasy.”
“Clients’ fantasies are a major force in the banking business. What is wealth but a fantasy?” Lemmy sat back in his chair. “He has gotten several deposits through Citibank in New York, right?”
“Yes.”
“Does he maintain an account there?”
“No. It’s a conduit.”
“But Citibank knows where each deposit came from, correct?”
Christopher nodded.
“Will they tell us?”
“Not directly, but when I worked in New York, I noticed a weakness in the system.” Christopher took a piece of paper and scribbled a diagram. “Citibank sent us electronic funds for Prince Abusalim’s account. If we reject the transfer, it would bounce back to Citibank, which in turn would bounce it back to the original bank, which would issue an electronic receipt for the returned funds. Usually the acknowledgment bears the account’s information.”
“So if we ask on behalf of the client that Citibank provides a copy of the acknowledgment, we’ll see the source of the money?” Lemmy thought for a moment. “Let’s do a partial rejection, a hundred dollars from each deposit, and see what comes back.”
Christopher hesitated. “Without client authorization?”
“It’s in the prince’s interest that we know his affairs, even if he doesn’t realize it.”
“Still early in New York City. We could get a confirmation today, unless they smell a rotten fish and call the prince directly.”
“It’s a risk I’m willing to take.” Lemmy watched Christopher reach the door. “By the way, which kibbutz?”
“Excuse me?”
“That summer you spent in Israel, which kibbutz was it?”
“Oh, it was in the north, near the Lebanese border.” He hesitated. “I’m not sure about the name.”
Lemmy wasn’t going to let him off the hook so easily. “Was it Haifa?”
“No, Haifa is a city.” Christopher’s forehead creased in a show of mental effort. “I think…it was called…Gesher.”
*
Shortly after two p.m., Bathsheba noticed another green Peugeot 605. It came from the direction of Ermenonville and made a left turn onto the highway ramp.
Gideon followed. “Get the camera. Elie wants photos. He thinks they might be using decoys to check for
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