View source for Dan Gertler

{{Short description|Israeli billionaire businessman}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Dan Gertler
| image              = דן גרטלר.jpg
| caption            = 
| birth_name         = 
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1973|12|23|df=yes}}<ref name="executiveorder">{{Cite web|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-blocking-property-persons-involved-serious-human-rights-abuse-corruption/|title=Executive Order Blocking the Property of Persons Involved in Serious Human Rights Abuse or Corruption|last=Trump|first=Donald|date=21 December 2017|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|access-date=}}</ref>
| birth_place        = 
| death_date         = 
| death_place        = 
| nationality        = Israeli
| education          = 
| alma_mater         = 
| occupation         = Businessman
| years_active       = 1996–present
| boards             = 
| parents            = 
| spouse             = Anat Gertler
| children           = 12
| relatives          = [[Moshe Schnitzer]] (grandfather)<br/>[[Shmuel Schnitzer]] (uncle)
| website            = [https://dan-gertler.com/ dan-gertler.com]
}}
'''Dan Gertler''' (born 23 December 1973) is an Israeli [[billionaire]] businessman in natural resources and the founder and president of the DGI (Dan Gertler International) group of companies. Until 2022, his group had mining and [[Petroleum|oil]] interests<ref>{{cite web|title=DRC:The grey areas of the Dan Gertler deal|url=https://www.theafricareport.com/181805/drc-the-grey-areas-of-the-dan-gertler-deal/|date= March 7, 2022|work=[[The Africa Report]]}}</ref> in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] (DRC), and has invested in [[Diamond|diamonds]], iron ore, gold, [[cobalt]], [[copper]], agriculture, and banking.<ref name="bloom12">{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-12-05/gertler-earns-billions-as-mine-deals-leave-congo-poorest | title=Gertler Earns Billions as Mine Deals Leave Congo Poorest | work=[[Bloomberg Markets]] | date=5 December 2012 | access-date=8 May 2016 | author=Franz Wild, Michael J. Kavanagh and Jonathan Ferziger}}</ref> {{as of |2024}} his fortune was estimated at $1.5 billion by ''[[Forbes]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/dan-gertler/ | title=Dan Gertler | work=[[Forbes]] | year=2024 | access-date=June 18, 2024}}</ref>

==Biography==
Dan Gertler is the grandson of [[Moshe Schnitzer]], first president and co-founder of the [[Israel Diamond Exchange]],<ref name="bloom12" /> and the winner of the [[Israel Prize]] in 2004. His family was involved in cutting and merchandising diamonds. While growing up, Gertler learned about the diamond trade from his father and grandfather. At the age of 22, he opened his own diamond business.<ref name=SpokeBiodead>{{cite web|url=http://www.spoke.com/info/p7rg6xH/DanGertler|publisher=Carnegie-Mellon University |work=Spoke |title=Dan Gertler's Biography |access-date=23 March 2013}} {{dead link|date=May 2016}}</ref>

==Business career==
In 1996, he founded the Dan Gertler International (DGI) group of companies.<ref name=RoughDiamonds>{{cite web|url=http://www.rough-polished.com/en/database/10375.html|title=Gertler, Dan (DGI Group)|date=3 December 2009|work=Rough and Polished: Information and Analytics on Diamond and Jewellery Markets|access-date=15 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113173229/http://rough-polished.com/en/database/10375.html|archive-date=13 November 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/dan-gertler/ | title=#1476 Dan Gertler | work=Forbes | date=9 May 2016 | access-date=9 May 2016}}</ref>

===Dan Gertler International (DGI)===

====International Diamond Industries-Congo (IDI-Congo)====
After gaining experience with purchasing and marketing [[Artisanal mining|artisanally mined]] diamonds{{clarify|date=November 2017}} from the DRC, Gertler started negotiations to establish a partnership with the [[Societé Minière de Bakwanga]] (MIBA), a DRC [[state-controlled company|state-controlled]] diamond mine operator.<ref name=SpokeBio>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.spoke.com/info/p7rg6xH/DanGertler
|publisher=Carnegie-Mellon University
 |work=Spoke
 |title=Dan Gertler's Biography
 |access-date=23 March 2013}}{{dead link|date=May 2016}}</ref> Through his friendship with the young [[Joseph Kabila]], Gertler was introduced to his father [[Laurent Kabila]], then-president of the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] (DRC), in 2000.<ref name="bloom12" />

From September 2000 through April 2001, Gertler had the sole right to buy "all diamonds produced in territory under the control of the Congolese Government", for which he had paid Kabila $20 million.<ref name=RoughDiamonds /> He ran a quasi "[[Comptoir Commercial Congolais|comptoir]]" in the DRC with International Diamond Industries-Congo (IDI-Congo), the affiliate of his Israeli firm, IDI-Diamonds Industry. IDI-Congo received 70 percent of the profits and the Congolese Government received 30 percent, which included the state diamond producer, MIBA, and all diamonds sold by private businesses. The deal was to "regulate and certify the origins of its diamonds under new UN requirements intended to weed out [[blood diamonds]]" and diamond smuggling.<ref name=BBC2000>
{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/911507.stm
|publisher=BBC
|date=5 September 2000
|title=DR Congo's diamond deal
|location=London, UK
}}</ref> Even with the IDI-Congo monopoly offering below-market prices for diamonds, the Congo received a greater percentage of diamond revenues than before the monopoly was in place.<ref name="Tamm2002">{{cite web | url=http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/files/wpf30diamonds.pdf | title=Diamonds in Peace and War: Severing the Conflict-Diamond Connection | publisher=World Peace Foundation | access-date=15 November 2011 | author=Ingrid J. Tamm | year=2002 | pages=63 | location=Cambridge, Massachusetts | archive-date=22 May 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522125302/http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/files/wpf30diamonds.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>{{page needed|date=May 2016}}

After [[Assassination of Laurent-Désiré Kabila|Laurent Kabila's assassination]] in January 2001, Gertler briefly lost influence in the Congo.<ref name=RoughDiamonds/> In April 2001, Laurent's son and successor, Joseph Kabila, revoked IDI's monopoly. DRC diamond producers shut out of the IDI monopoly had been unhappy with the monopoly, and the [[International Monetary Fund]] had encouraged the country to liberalize the diamond industry.<ref name=Tamm2002 />{{rp|10}} Gertler soon managed to reestablish a relationship with Joseph Kabila,<ref name=RoughDiamonds/> becoming increasingly close socially, to the point that, in 2006, Kabila invited him to his wedding.<ref name=zim>
{{cite web
 |url=http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/old/jul23_2007.html
 |title=Fight over mineral wealth shifts from battlefields to boardrooms
 |work=Business Report (SA), Zimbabwe News
 |date=22 July 2007
 |access-date=17 November 2011}}</ref>
By 2009, DGI group was one of the largest wholesale distributors of rough and polished diamonds in the world. The group spans mining, manufacturing and sales operations.<ref name=RoughDiamonds/>

====Emaxon Finance International Inc and the Diamond Industry (2001-2017)====

In 2001, Gertler established [[Emaxon Finance International]] Inc, in Canada, as a subsidiary of Dan Gertler International (DGI)<ref>
{{cite web
|title=Emaxon to finance expansion of MIBA's diamond mines
|url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/emaxon-to-finance-expansion-of-mibas-diamond-mines-155151065.html
|publisher= PR Newswire
|date=27 October 2003
}}
</ref> (reported by the International Development Research Centre according to the 2001 International Peace Information Service (IPIS) publication, and according to the Quebec trade register.<ref name=IDRC>
{{cite report
|url=http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca/dspace/bitstream/10625/4204/3/120120_e.pdf
|title=Diamond Industry Annual Review
|date=2004
|pages=13
|publisher=[[International Development Research Centre]] (IDRC)
|isbn=1-894888-38-3
|access-date=24 March 2013
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130525060308/http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca/dspace/bitstream/10625/4204/3/120120_e.pdf
|archive-date=25 May 2013
|url-status=dead

}}
</ref>{{rp|5}}<ref name=DiamondInTheRough2005>
{{cite news
|newspaper=Haaretz
|location=Israel
|title=Diamond in the Rough
|url=http://www.haaretz.com/diamond-in-the-rough-1.153922
|author1=Yossi Melman
|author2=Asaf Carmel
|date=24 March 2005
|access-date=24 March 2013
}}</ref>)
In April 2002, Emaxon signed a contract through which Gertler gained a four-year right to market 88% of the rough-diamond production of the [[Societé minière de Bakwanga]] (MIBA), about a quarter of the DRC's legitimate diamond exports, at around 600,000 carats a month. Emaxon enjoyed a five-percent discount on its purchase of MIBA diamonds, which it then usually sold in the free market to the highest bidder. Emaxon lent MIBA $15 million to modernize its mining equipment.{{when|date=May 2016}}<ref name="dark">{{cite web | url=http://www.newsweek.com/sifting-through-dark-business-131907 | title=Sifting Through A Dark Business | work=Newsweek | date=7 December 2003 | access-date=15 November 2011}}</ref> In July 2017, Exmaxon's corporate registration was cancelled after failing to file annual declarations with the Quebec government for two years. The company was also sanctioned by the United States [[Office of Foreign Assets Control]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Jacon Serebrin| title=Montreal company named in U.S. sanctions list | website=montrealgazette | date=2017-12-22 | url=https://montrealgazette.com/news/montreal-company-named-in-u-s-sanctions-list | access-date=2023-10-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Issuance of Global Magnitsky Executive Order; Global Magnitsky Designations | website=treasury.gov | date=2017-12-21 | url=https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20171221.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171221152628/https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20171221.aspx | archive-date=2017-12-21 | url-status=unfit | access-date=2023-10-01}}</ref>

===Fleurette Group and Fleurette Properties, 2006===
Fleurette Properties is a Gibraltar-based company which has at least "60 holding companies in offshore havens such as the Virgin Islands", through which Dan Gertler controlled concessions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.<ref name="bloom12" /> Fleurette Group refers to the group of companies with respect to which Fleurette Properties is either the direct or indirect shareholder.<ref name="Questions">{{cite web | url=https://www.globalwitness.org/en/archive/secret-sales-publications/ | title=Questions submitted by Global Witness to Dan Gertler | publisher=[[Global Witness]] | date=13 April 2012 | format=PDF | pages=2}}</ref>
The Fleurette Group owned the [[Kansuki]] concession, a Congolese copper and cobalt development project, since 2006.<ref name=Questions /> {{as of |April 2016}} it employed 30 000 people and was the largest source of private receipts for the Congolese government.<ref name="monde">{{cite news |author=Joan Tilouine |date=7 April 2016 |title=Panama papers : Dan Gertler, roi du Congo et de l'offshore |url=http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2016/04/07/panama-papers-dan-gertler-roi-du-congo-et-de-l-offshore_4898097_3212.html#bm1BTYRwzpAwwlwt.99 |access-date=8 May 2016 |work=Le Monde |language=French}}</ref>

In February 2022, the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced that it was close to signing an agreement with the Fleurette Group, owned by the Gertler family, under which it would transfer, among other things, cash, cobalt mines, and oil wells worth two billion dollars to the state. Local organizations praised the decision.<ref>{{cite web |author=Michael J Kavanagh, William Clowes|title=Congo Nears Deal With Israeli Billionaire Gertler to Recover Assets|website=[[Bloomberg News ]]|date=February 19, 2022|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-19/congo-nears-deal-with-israeli-billionaire-to-recover-assets?sref%3Dm8dNmkEH}}</ref> Subsequently, Gertler signed the agreement with the Congolese government led by President [[Félix Tshisekedi]].

As part of the agreement, Ventora Group, owned by the Gertler family, transferred all the mining and oil licenses it held, including the research results it had conducted on the assets over the years, worth 2-3 billion dollars. Ventora also agreed to pay Gécamines, the state mining company, a significant portion of the royalties it received from Katanga Mining, as the profits from the deal exceeded expectations due to changes in the copper and cobalt market. This was after Gécamines and the Congolese government verified that the transactions were conducted legally and at market value at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theafricareport.com/181805/drc-the-grey-areas-of-the-dan-gertler-deal/|author=Joël Té-Léssia Assoko , Stanis Bujakera Tshiamala|title=DRC: The grey areas of the Dan Gertler deal|website=[[The Africa Report]]|date=March 7, 2022}}</ref>

As part of the exit agreement from business initiatives in Congo, the United States is considering lifting the sanctions against Gertler.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Summer |last1=Said |first2=Julie |last2=Steinberg |first3=Stephen |last3=Kalin|title=U.S. Considers Dropping Sanctions Against Israeli Billionaire in Push for EV Metals|website=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=October 11, 2023|url=https://www.wsj.com/business/u-s-considers-dropping-sanctions-against-israeli-billionaire-in-push-for-ev-metals-64dc3b19}}</ref>

==Family trust==
In 2007 Gertler's family trust was the major shareholder of [[Prairie International Ltd.]], owner of "[[Tremalt|Tremalt Limited]], which owned 80% of [[Savannah Mining]], the holder of the other half of copper and cobalt operation Mukondo, as well as concessions C17 and C18 in the mineral-rich [[Katanga Province]]"<ref name=Seccombe20071107>
{{cite web|url=http://www.miningmx.com/news/archive/670097.htm |title=CAMEC enters new JV to house DRC assets |author=Allan Seccombe |date=7 November 2007 |work=MiningMX |access-date=14 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404015707/http://www.miningmx.com/news/archive/670097.htm |archive-date=4 April 2012 }}</ref> of the DRC.

===Global Enterprises Corporate and Nikanor (2004-2008)===
{{See also|Nikanor plc}}
In March 2004, DGI founded [[Global Enterprises Corporate (GEC)]] in partnership with [[Beny Steinmetz Global]]. In May 2004 GEC signed an agreement with the state-owned [[Gécamines]], finalized in September 2004, to rehabilitate and operate the [[Kananga Mine|Kananga]] and [[Tilwezembe Mine|Tilwezembe]] copper mines. The deal was ratified 13 October 2005 by [[presidential decree]].<ref>
{{cite news
|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2016-04-14-panama-papers-flag-billion-dollar-drc-rip-offs
|title=Panama Papers flag billion-dollar DRC mining rip-offs
|author=Barry Sergeant
|date=15 April 2016
|work=Mail & Guardian
|access-date=<!-- May 2016 -->
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529033348/http://mg.co.za/article/2016-04-14-panama-papers-flag-billion-dollar-drc-rip-offs
|archive-date=29 May 2016
}}</ref> This deal was later found by the World Bank, reviewing the DRC's three biggest mining contracts, to have been approved with "a complete lack of transparency" (Mahtani 3 January 2007).<ref name="Sergeant20070403">{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.mineweb.com/archive/nikanors-drc-mining-contract-quandary/
 |title        = Nikanor's DRC mining contract quandary
 |publisher    = Mine web
 |date         = 3 April 2007
 |access-date   = 16 November 2011
 |author       = Barry Sergeant
 |archive-url  = https://archive.today/20150405104550/http://www.mineweb.com/archive/nikanors-drc-mining-contract-quandary/
 |archive-date = 5 April 2015
 |url-status     = dead
}}</ref><ref name="FinancialTimes20070103">{{cite news | date=3 January 2007 | author=Dino Mahtani | magazine=Financial Times | title=Transparency fears lead to review of Congo contracts }}</ref>
<ref name="KatangaHist">{{cite web | url=http://www.katangamining.com/about-us/company-profile.aspx | title=Company profile | publisher=Katanga Mining | date=n.d. | access-date=16 November 2011 | archive-date=19 June 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619042357/http://www.katangamining.com/about-us/company-profile.aspx | url-status=dead }}</ref>

Global Enterprises Corporate's mining assets ended up being held by [[Nikanor plc]], registered in the Isle of Man. For example, Gertler and Steinmetz placed Global Enterprises Corporate (GEC)'s 75% share in KOV into Nikanor. Nikanor was owned 75% by GEC and 25% by [[Gécamines]] at the time Nikanor was first floated on the [[Alternative Investment Market]] in July 2006.<ref>{{cite web | last=Shah | first=Saeed | title=Nikanor becomes AIM's largest float | website=The Independent | date=2006-07-12 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/nikanor-becomes-aim-s-largest-float-6095573.html | access-date=2022-07-31}}</ref> This IPO raised $400 million, and Nikanor's market capitalization reached $1.5 billion.<ref name=Sergeant20070403/>

In February 2007, 22% of the [[Nikanor plc|Nikanor Mining]] company was owned by the Gertner Family Trust and 14% by Dan Gertler.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.miningweekly.com/article/drcs-katanga-governor-woos-bona-fide-resources-investors-heaps-praise-on-nikanor-2007-02-26
 |title=DRC's Katanga governor woos bona fide resources investors, heaps praise on Nikanor
 |work=Mining weekly
 |author=Martin Creamer
 |date=26 February 2007
 |access-date=15 November 2011}}</ref> 

In January 2008 [[Katanga Mining]] acquired Nikanor plc for $452m, rendering the company defunct.<ref name=KatangaHist/>

===DEM Mining 2006 - cobalt and copper in Katanga Copper Belt===
In April 2006 Gertler's DGI took a major stake in DEM Mining, a cobalt-copper mining and services company based in Katanga.<ref name=Sergeant20070403/>

===Tremalt Ltd 2006 Mukondo Mine, Kanaga Copper Belt ===
In June 2006 Gertler bought [[Tremalt]], which had a half share in the [[Mukondo Mine]], for about $60 million from the Zimbabwean businessman [[John Bredenkamp]].<ref name=Sergeant20070403/> 	
<ref name=Sergeant20070506>{{cite news
 |url          = http://www.mineweb.com/archive/coppercobalt-bull-elephants-square-up-in-the-drc/
 |publisher    = Mine Web Insider
 |title        = Copper/cobalt bull elephants square up in the DRC
 |first        = Barry
 |last         = Sergeant
 |date         = 6 May 2007
 |access-date  = 14 November 2011
 |archive-date = 2 June 2016
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20160602223530/http://www.mineweb.com/archive/coppercobalt-bull-elephants-square-up-in-the-drc/
 |url-status   = dead
}}</ref>

In 2007 Tremalt was owned by Prairie International Ltd, of which Dan Gertler's family trust was a major shareholder. Tremalt owned 80% of Savannah Mining, which held concessions C17 and C18 in Katanga Province and 50% of the Mukondo project. The other 50% of Mukondo was held by Boss Mining, which in turn was 80% owned by [[Central African Mining & Exploration Company]] (CAMEC).<ref name=Seccombe20071107/> Boss Mining had rented and operated Bredenkamp's half of Mukondo. Gertler terminated this arrangement.<ref name=Sergeant20070403/>

===Prairie International Ltd. 2007 Mukondo, Kanaga Copper Belt ===
When CAMEC bought Boss Mining in February 2006, its then- owner, [[Billy Rautenbach]], a Zimbabwe businessman, gained about 17% of CAMEC shares.<ref name=Sergeant20070506/>
Gertler and CAMEC made plans to combine the Mukondo assets and a Katanga Province copper and cobalt project, into a new holding company. Rautenbach would be excluded from ownership in the new company, due to the hostile relations that had developed between him and the DRC government.<ref name=Seccombe20071107/>

In November 2007, Prairie International and CAMEC signed a memorandum of understanding to complete the deal.<ref>{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page33?oid=39422&sn=Detail
 |title        = CAMEC creates new DRC joint venture company to develop Mukondo Mountain
 |date         = 7 November 2007
 |work         = MineWeb
 |access-date   = 14 November 2011
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120612221143/http://www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page33?oid=39422&sn=Detail
 |archive-date = 12 June 2012
 |url-status     = dead
}}</ref> In November 2007 the digital [[mining industry]] Miningmx reported that Dan Gertler's Prairie International Ltd. and CAMEC had created a joint venture vehicle in the Mukondo with concessions held by the state-owned Gécamines. "[[Tremalt]] will be transferred into the joint venture vehicle."<ref name=Seccombe20071107 />
In February 2008 the two companies announced that the Mukondo Mountain operations had restarted.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.miningweekly.com/article/camec-prairie-restart-operations-at-drc-mine-2008-02-07
 |title=Camec, Prairie restart operations at DRC mine
 |author=Christy van der Merwe
 |date=7 February 2008
 |work=Mining weekly
 |access-date=15 November 2011}}</ref>

===Glencore partnership 2007===
Gertler has been a partner with [[Glencore|Glencore International Plc.]], the largest company in Switzerland and the world's largest commodities trading company.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/countingthecost/2011/05/20115299504775782.html|title=Glencore: Taking over the world?|publisher=Aljazeera - Counting the Cost|access-date=31 May 2011|date=29 May 2011}}</ref><ref name=guard19511>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2011/may/19/rise-of-glencore-commodities-company|title=The rise of Glencore, the biggest company you've never heard of|access-date=25 May 2011|work=The Guardian|date=19 May 2011|location=London|first1=Helen|last1=Pidd|first2=Dan|last2=Glaister|first3=David|last3=Smith|first4=Ian|last4=Cobain}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/commodities/8451991/Glencores-share-of-global-commodity-markets.html|title=Glencore's share of global commodity markets|access-date=31 May 2011|work=The Telegraph|date=15 April 2011|location=London}}</ref> One of their mines is [[Mutanda Mine|Mutanda]].<ref name="bloom12" />

In the course of the Congo events, Glencore and Gertler partnered in [[Nikanor plc|Nikanor]] from 2007 until the final merger with [[Katanga Mining]] in late 2007 in a transaction valued at US$3.3&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite news |author=Pagnamenta, Robin |url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article2820766.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706204210/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/natural_resources/article2820766.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 July 2008 |title=Nikanor and Katanga Mining merge to create $3.3bn African giant |work=The London Times |date=7 November 2007 |access-date=14 April 2011 }}{{subscription required}}</ref> A 2011 article by Reuters journalists described Glencore as "the biggest company you never heard of":<ref name=Reu01>
{{cite news
|author1=Onstad, Eric
|author2=Laura MacInnis
|author3=Quentin Webb
|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-glencore-idUSTRE71O1DC20110225?pageNumber=2
|title=The biggest company you never heard of
|work=Reuters
|date=25 February 2011
|access-date=28 February 2011
}}</ref>  
<blockquote>In June 2007, Glencore and partner Dan Gertler, an Israeli mining magnate, paid {{GBP}}300 million for a quarter of mining company [[Nikanor plc|Nikanor]], which planned to revive derelict copper mines next to [[Katanga Mining]]'s properties. The contract gave Glencore exclusive sales rights to all Nikanor's output, an "[[Project finance|offtake]]" agreement.

Katanga lost 97% of its market value over the final six months of 2008. Running out of cash in the financial crisis, Katanga accepted [Glencore] control, issuing more than a billion new shares for about US$500&nbsp;million in a convertible loan and rights issue. A share that grew to 74% went to Glencore. In 2011 copper prices regularly set records above US$10,000 a ton, and the value of Katanga's stock market value was nearly US$3.2&nbsp;billion. Katanga lost US$108&nbsp;million in 2009, but posted an annual profit of US$265&nbsp;million in 2010.<ref name="Reu01"/></blockquote>


Glencore had initially stopped all payments to Gertler to respect the [[United States sanctions against Iran|2013 US sanctions]], but following a lawsuit filed by Gertler in a Congolese court, Glencore paid about 2.5% of the sales from its mines in the Congo in royalties to Gertler in euros, not dollars.<ref name="economist_20210130"/>

====Catela Global, 2008====
In July 2008 Catela Global, a company owned by Gertler's family trust, offered about C$296 million to buy [[Anvil Mining]] shares, around 25% of Anvil, in a private placement.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.miningweekly.com/article/anvil-to-raise-c296m-in-private-placement-2008-07-10
 |title=Anvil to raise C$296m in private placement
 |author=Liezel Hill
 |date=10 July 2008
 |work=Mining weekly
 |access-date=16 November 2011}}</ref>
An [[RBC Capital Markets]] analyst, Cailey Barker, speculated that Anvil would use the cash infusion for acquisitions, but the company said it would remain focused on completing its [[Kinsevere]] Stage II project.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.miningweekly.com/article/cashflush-anvil-may-consider-acquisitions-2008-08-18
 |title=Cash-flush Anvil may consider acquisitions
 |author=Liezel Hill
 |date=18 August 2008
 |work=Mining weekly
 |access-date=16 November 2011}}</ref>
In August 2008, Anvil lowered the amount to be paid to about C$237 million, due to "the significant deterioration in market conditions for resource companies".<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.miningweekly.com/article/anvil-lowers-private-placement-pricing-on-weak-market-2008-08-25
 |title=Anvil lowers private placement pricing on weak market
 |author=Liezel Hill
 |date=25 August 2008
 |work=Mining weekly
 |access-date=16 November 2011}}</ref>

===Camrose Resources Ltd > Africo > Kalukundi Mine, 2007===
"In 2007 Africa Management Limited was created as a joint venture between South African housing minister [[Tokyo Sexwale]]'s investment vehicle [[Mvelaphanda Group|Mvelaphanda Holdings]], its associate company Palladino Holdings, and [[Och-Ziff Capital Management]], a $30 (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=30000000000|start_year=2007}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}})-billion New York hedge fund (Wood et al. 2012)."<ref name=Wood2012>
{{cite web
|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2012-08-17-00-tokyo-sexwale-and-the-drcs-mr-grab
|title=Tokyo Sexwale and the DRC's Mr Grab
|date=17 August 2012
|author1=James Wood
|author2=Craig McKune
|author3=Steffaans, Brummer
|publisher=Mail and Guardian: Africa's Best Read
}}</ref>

In June 2010 the [[Financial Post]] of Canada reported that Highwind Properties, a company registered in the [[British Virgin Islands]], now owned the [[Kolwezi]] project. The newspaper, citing unnamed sources, linked the company to Dan Gertler.<ref name=Hill20100630/>
In August 2010 [[Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation]], a company listed in London with most of its operations in Kazakhstan, said it was buying indirect control of the Kolwezi licence from Dan Gertler.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.miningweekly.com/article/compliance-with-icc-order-in-drcs-best-interest-fqm-ceo-2010-08-25
 |title=Compliance with ICC order 'in DRC's best interest' – FQM CEO
 |author=Matthew Hill
 |date=25 August 2010
 |work=Mining weekly
 |access-date=16 November 2011}}</ref>
ENRC was buying 50.5% of Camrose from Gertler. Camrose's key asset was a 70% interest in the Kolwezi project.<ref>{{cite news
 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/marketforceslive/2010/aug/23/enrc-bhpbilliton
 |title=Miners and merger moves lift FTSE 100 but ENRC misses out
 |work=The Guardian
 |author=Nick Fletcher 
 |date=23 August 2010
 |access-date=16 November 2011
 |location=London}}</ref>
The Kolwezi property was sold to Gertler for $20 million. He in turn sold 50.5% of Camrose to ENRC for $175 million.<ref>
{{cite web 
| url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/mp-calls-for-fraud-office-probe-of-enrc-under-bribery-act-6390338.html 
| title=MP calls for Fraud Office probe of ENRC under Bribery Act 
| work=London Evening Standard 
| date=8 April 2011 
| access-date=16 November 2011 
| author1=Russell Lynch
| author2=Jim Armitage
}}</ref>

Camrose's other assets included a "64% stake in Canada listed [[Africo Resources]] which held a 75% interest in Kalukundi exploitation licence as well as a 56% indirect interest in Comide Sprl, which held the exploitation licence for Mashitu, Pangalume and Kii [[Tenement (law)|tenement]]s."<ref name=FirstQuantumVSDRC>
{{cite web|title=Fasken Martineau advises First Quantum Minerals on US$1.25B deal |url=http://lexpertblog.com/2012/04/05/fasken-martineau-advises-first-quantum-minerals-on-us1-25b-deal |date=2 March 2012 |publisher=Law Expert Blog |access-date=23 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414110155/http://lexpertblog.com/2012/04/05/fasken-martineau-advises-first-quantum-minerals-on-us1-25b-deal/ |archive-date=14 April 2012 }}</ref>

According to a 2012 article in the ''Mail and Guardian'',<ref name=Wood2012 /> Camrose acquired a controlling stake in Africo through a simultaneous, complex and clever set of transactions from 2007 to 2008. Located in the south-eastern DRC's copper belt, the lucrative [[Kalukundi Mine|Kalukundi]] concession owned by Congolese company Swanmines, which was part-owned by Canadian miner Africo Resources, had potential for high copper and cobalt yields. In April 2007 Africo was preparing to purchase enough shares to become the majority shareholder of Kalukundi when a third party entered into litigation, claiming prior ownership. Dan Getler offered to help, through his connections with President Joseph Kabila. Gertler purchased the third-party company and resold it to Africo. In July 2008, the Getler company, Camrose Resources, purchased Africo shares worth about $100 million (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=100000000|start_year=2008}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}). Camrose then held a 63% controlling stake in Africo. Camrose paid for Africo through a loan from an offshore British Virgin Islands-registered company called Vipar, "an affiliate of Africa Management Limited."<ref name=Wood2012 />

===Camrose and Highwind Group 2008-10===
In 2008, Camrose Resources Ltd, a Gertler family trust company, purchased s 62.5% share of [[Africo Resources]].
In February 2009, Africo confirmed that it had the go-ahead from the DRC government for the 75%-owned [[Kalukundi Mine|Kalukundi]] project.<ref name=Stiftung>
{{cite web
 |url=http://moneytometal.org/index.php/Dan_Gertler
 |title=Dan Gertler
 |date=5 November 2010
 |work=Money to Metal
 |author=Heinrich Boll Stiftung
 |access-date=16 November 2011}}</ref>

In 2009 Vancouver, Canada-based (through Dan Gertler's newly formed British Virgin Island-based company, Highwinds) sold ENRC 50.5% of Kolwezi Mine Tailings (KWT) a "multi-billion dollar copper and cobalt [[tailings]] reprocessing facility."<ref name= FirstQuantumVSDRC/> The facility had been expropriated in 2009 by the DRC from then-Vancouver, Canada-based Highwinds.<ref name=CongoLeaks201111>
{{cite report
|url=http://congoleaks.blogspot.ca/2011/11/initial-drc-report.html
|title=DRC Report
|publisher=Congo Leaks
|date=November 2011
|access-date=23 March 2013
}}</ref>
In September 2009 the DRC government revoked the license of Canadian mining firm [[First Quantum Minerals]] to operate the [[Kolwezi copper tailings project]]. First Quantum appealed the decision. The CEO, Philip Pascal, said "the activities on the legal side come from a small and very influential group of individuals in the Congo and don't necessarily mirror the sentiments of a number of other authorities".<ref name=Hill20100630>
{{cite web
 |url=http://www.miningweekly.com/article/pressure-mounts-on-drc-over-mine-rights-controversy-2010-06-30
 |title=Pressure mounts on DRC over mine-rights controversy
 |author=Matthew Hill
 |date=30 June 2010
 |work=Mining weekly
 |access-date=16 November 2011}}</ref> 
Later, the government also expropriated the [[Frontier Mine, Katanga|Frontier]] and [[Lonshi Mine|Lonshi]] mines from First Quantum.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

In August 2010, Camrose acquired British Virgin Island-based Highwind Group.<ref name=GecaminesHighwinds2012>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.mining.com/meet-the-israeli-middleman-said-to-have-stripped-and-flipped-first-quantums-drc-mine-76979/
|title=Meet the Israeli middleman said to have 'stripped and flipped' First Quantum's DRC mine
|author=Frik Els
|date=22 August 2012
|access-date=23 March 2013
|publisher=Mining: Your Source of Global Mining News
}}</ref>
In March 2011 the state-owned [[Sodimico]] sold its 30% stake in these two mines for $30 million to two companies{{which|date=March 2021}} registered in the British Virgin Islands. The total estimated value of the mines was over $1.6 billion.<ref name=Bloomberg20110928/>

===Emerald Star Enterprises Limited BVI 2009 SMKK ===
Emerald Star Enterprises Limited, a company controlled by Gertler's family trust, was incorporated 29 October 2009 in the British Virgin Islands. On 21 December 2009 Emerald Star sold an option to buy the remaining 50% stake of Société Minière de Kabolela et de Kipese SPRL, (a company formed by Melkior Resources Inc and Gécamines that holds the rights to develop the [[Kabolela]] cobalt-copper deposit) to Katash{{what|date=March 2021}}-founded mining company [[Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation]] (ENRC) who already owned 50%. The other 50% belonged to state-owned Gécamines. In February 2010 Emerald Star Enterprises Limited purchased Gécamines' 50% for $15 million and sold these shares to ENRC for $50 million. Emerald Star Enterprises Limited paid $15 million, and sold for $75 million, making a 500 percent return.<ref name="bloom12" /><!-- 50 or 75? -->

====Rowny Assets Limited BVI- 2011 Mutanda Mine, Katanga Copper Belt====
Rowny Assets Limited is one of the offshore firms owned by Gertler's family and is described in the initial Glencore public offering (IPO) prospectus.<ref>
{{cite magazine
|title=Glencore: What the Documents Tell Us
|magazine=Foreign Policy
|author=Hanna C. Trudo
|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2012/04/23/glencore-what-the-documents-tell-us/
|date=23 April 2012
}}</ref> 
Gécamines sold its 20% share of the [[Mutanda Mine|Mutanda]] project to Rowny Assets. This company, registered in the British Virgin Islands, was said to be "associated" with Gertler. The share was worth an estimated $600 million, but was sold for $137 million.<ref name=Bloomberg20110928 />

Rowny Assets Limited was also in Glencore's 4 May 2011 listing prospectus, and acquired a 20% interest in Mutanda from Gécamines.<ref name="steelguru2011">{{cite web | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-07-12/gecamines-undisclosed-sale-of-congo-copper-mines-may-threaten-share-offer | title=Gecamines sale of Congo copper assets may undermine share offer | publisher=Bloomberg News | date=12 July 2011 | author=Michael J. Kavanagh and Franz Wild}}</ref>

====Biko Invest Corporation (BVI), 2011====
Biko Invest Corporation (BVI), linked to Dan Gertler and incorporated 23 February 2011 in the British Virgin Islands, bought a quarter of Kansuki Sprl from Gécamines in 2011.<ref name=steelguru2011 />

==Mining assets and IMF==
In September 2011 the [[International Monetary Fund]] asked for explanations from [[Sodimico]] and Gécamines, both owned by the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), concerning sales of assets below market value and without publicity. <ref name=Bloomberg20110928>{{cite news
 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-28/imf-asks-congo-for-explanation-on-state-mining-assets-sale.html
 |title=IMF Asks Congo for Explanation on State Mining Assets Sale
 |work=Bloomberg Business Week
 |author1=Michael J. Kavanagh
 |author2=Franz Wild
 |date=28 September 2011
 |access-date=16 November 2011}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.iol.co.za/business/international/sale-of-top-drc-mine-may-stymie-share-offer-1.1100362
 |title=Sale of top DRC mine may stymie share offer
 |date=17 July 2011
 |work=Bloomberg
 |access-date=16 November 2011}}</ref>

In December 2012 the International Monetary Fund stopped a US$500m (~${{Format price|{{Inflation|index=US-GDP|value=500000000|start_year=2012}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US-GDP}}) (£310m) loan to the Congo because of irregularities in the way a company reputed to be controlled by Dan Gertler{{which|date=May 2016}} acquired minerals from [[Joseph Kabila]]'s government.<ref name=Independent20121211>
{{cite news 
|author=Jim Armitage 
|date=11 December 2012 
|title=Dan Gertler: Is this the end for Congo's diamond geezer? He is an Israeli billionaire who made his fortune in Congo's vast mineral industry. He says he deserves a Nobel prize – but is he in fact making one of the world's poorest countries even poorer?
|access-date=20 March 2013
|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/dan-gertler-is-this-the-end-for-congos-diamond-geezer-8406652.html
|location=London
|work=The Independent
}}</ref>

==Panama Papers, Mossack Fonseca, 2016==
Gertler's name appears more than 200 times in the [[Panama Papers]]. [[Mossack Fonseca]] registered at least two companies for him: Burford Commercial S.A. and Norseville Estates S.A. Gertler's attorney said, Gertler had "no knowledge of the claims raised regarding the [Panamanian firm's decision] to terminate representation in 2011."<ref name=haar>{{cite news | url=http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.713130 | title=Israeli Diamond Tycoons Listed in Leaked Panama Papers| work=Haaretz | date=7 April 2016 | access-date=9 May 2016 | author=Uri Blau, Daniel Dolev}}</ref> ''Le Monde'' reported another two Mossack-Fonseca- incorporated shell companies, [[Foxwhelp]] Ltd and Caprikat Ltd, in the DR Congo oil industry.<ref name=monde/>

==Paradise Papers, 2017==
On 5 November 2017, the [[Paradise Papers]], a set of confidential [[electronic documents]] relating to [[offshore investment]], revealed that [[Glencore]] loaned $45&nbsp;million to Gertler in exchange for his help with officials of the [[Democratic Republic of Congo]] in negotiations over a [[joint venture]] with state-owned [[Gécamines]] at the [[Katanga Province#Mining|Katanga copper mine]] in 2009. Gertler appears in 120 documents regarding his relationship with Glencore.<ref name=glencore/><ref name=room/><ref name="ParadisePapers1">{{cite news|last1=Blau|first1=Uri|authorlink1=Uri Blau|title=The Paradise Papers: Haaretz Reveals Some of the Israeli Businessmen and Firms Registered in Offshore Tax Havens|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.821229|access-date=7 November 2017|work=[[Haaretz]]|date=5 November 2017}}</ref> Glencore, which had effectively taken over Katanga, agreed to vote for the joint venture. The loan document specifically provided that repayment would be owed if agreement was not reached within three months. Gertler and Glencore have denied wrongdoing.<ref name=glencore>{{cite news|work=The Guardian|title=Revealed: Glencore's secret loan to secure DRC mining rights|author1=Ben Doherty|author2=Oliver Zihlmann|date=5 November 2017}}</ref><ref name=room>{{cite web|url=https://www.icij.org/investigations/paradise-papers/room-of-secrets-reveals-mysteries-of-glencore/|author1=Bastian Obermayer|author2=Edouard Perrin|author3=Frederik Obermaier|author4=Oliver Zihlmann|author5=Petra Blum|author6=Will Fitzgibbon|date=5 November 2017|access-date=6 November 2017|title=Room of Secrets Reveals Glencore's Mysteries: Law firm's internal files reveal oil, mineral and grain trader Glencore signed secret deals and loaned millions to a high-risk business partner.|publisher=ICIJ}}</ref>

==Magnitsky Act==
The [[United States Department of the Treasury]] specifically named Dan Gertler in the [[Office of Foreign Assets Control]] (OFAC) financial sanctions list for serious human rights abuse and corruption, under the [[Magnitsky Act]] and blocked his US-based assets,<ref name="Magnitsky_2017">{{Cite web|url=https://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/OFAC-Enforcement/Pages/20171221.aspx|title=Issuance of Global Magnitsky Executive Order; Global Magnitsky Designations|date=21 December 2017|agency=[[United States Department of the Treasury]] and [[Office of Foreign Assets Control]] (OFCA)|access-date=12 February 2018|website=Treasury.gov}}</ref> and "prevented any firm from doing business with him in dollars".<ref name="economist_20210130"/>  According to a February 2018 article in ''[[The Economist]]'', the sanctions statement said that Gertler had "amassed his fortune through hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of opaque and corrupt mining and oil deals" in the DRC.<ref name="economist_Gertler_Kabila_laws">{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/news/business/21736595-they-have-more-lose-if-president-joseph-kabila-falls-power-mining-firms-are-dismayed |title=Mining firms are dismayed by a new Congolese mining law: But they have more to lose if President Joseph Kabila falls from power |newspaper=The Economist |date=10 February 2018 |access-date=12 February 2018 |location=Cape Town, South Africa}}</ref> The corruption in mining and oil deals in the DRC amounting to over a billion dollars had undermined the impoverished country's economic growth and its "the rule of law".<ref name="Lipton_Searcy_20230403">{{cite news |first1=Eric |last1=Lipton |first2=Dionne |last2=Searcey |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/02/us/politics/dan-gertler-biden-congo-sanctions.html |title=Fight Over Corruption and Congo's Mining Riches Takes a Turn in Washington |work=The New York Times |date=2 April 2023 |location=Washington, DC}}</ref> Included in the Executive Order is the list of designated entities "affiliated with" Gertler, "Moku Mines D'or SA, Moku Goldmines AG, Fleurette Energy I B.V., Fleurette Africa Resources I B.V., African Trans International Holdings B.V., Fleurette African Transport B.V., Oriental Iron Company SPRL, Iron Mountain Enterprises Limited, Sanzetta Investments Limited, Almerina Properties Limited, Interlog DRC, Kitoko Food Farm, Karibu Africa Services SA, and Ventora Development Sasu".<ref name="federalregister_20181228">{{Cite report| title = Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act Annual Report| work = Federal Register| access-date = 5 December 2019| date = 28 December 2018| url = https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/12/28/2018-28311/global-magnitsky-human-rights-accountability-act-annual-report}}</ref>

In a 28 November 2019 article in ''The Economist'', it was reported that President Trump's decision to place sanctions on Gertler, who is a close friend of then-President of the Congo, [[Joseph Kabila]], had come as "a shock to many companies operating in the Congo." Citing Tom Perriello, then the United States envoy to the [[African Great Lakes]] under [[Barack Obama]], the sanctions "probably helped push Mr. Kabila to his eventual decision to stand down in the elections that took place a year later", in the [[2018 Democratic Republic of the Congo general election|December 2018 general election]].<ref name="economist_Trump_Gertler_Kabila_20191128">{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/united-states/2019/11/28/donald-trump-has-shown-a-surprising-enthusiasm-for-sanctions |title=Donald Trump has shown a surprising enthusiasm for sanctions - Financial carpet-bombing |newspaper=The Economist |date=28 November 2019 |access-date=5 December 2019 |location=Washington, DC}}</ref> According to ''The Economist'', by 2021, Kabila's power was waning, as even his allies in cabinet—including then prime minister, Sylvestre Ilunga Ilunkamba—had lost his position on January 27, 2021. [[Félix Tshisekedi]], who has been president since 2019, could pressure the state-run mining group, Gécamines, to take back Gertler’s mines and royalties.<ref name="economist_20210130"/>

It was reported on 25 January 2021 that in the final days of the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Trump Administration]], following lobbying by [[Alan Dershowitz]] and others working for Gertler, the [[US Treasury Department]] had issued a license which temporarily lifted the restrictions on him.<ref name=FT>{{cite news |first1=Tom |last1=Wilson |first2=Neil |last2=Hume |first3=James |last3=Politi |url=https://www.ft.com/content/8257824c-e123-45da-9c4c-39ada72bb7ff |title=Dan Gertler wins reprieve from US sanctions over alleged Congo corruption Trump administration eased restrictions on Israeli billionaire days before president left office |newspaper=[[The Financial Times]]   |date=25 January 2021}}</ref> According to ''The Economist'' and ''New York Times'', Gertler was granted a special license which allows him to use American dollars to "do almost anything, for a year."<ref name="economist_20210130">{{Cite news| issn = 0013-0613| title = Beny Steinmetz gets jail, Dan Gertler a reprieve| newspaper = The Economist| access-date = February 2, 2021| date = 30 January 2021| url = https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2021/01/30/beny-steinmetz-gets-jail-dan-gertler-a-reprieve}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Lipton|first=Eric|date=2021-02-22|title=Tough Sanctions, Then a Mysterious Last-Minute Turnabout|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/21/us/politics/dan-gertler-sanctions.html|access-date=2021-02-22|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

This reprieve was subsequently ended by the Biden administration on 8 March 2021.<ref name="Bloomberg">{{Cite news|date=2021-03-08|title=Israeli Billionaire Loses Trump-Granted Sanction Reprieve|language=en-US|work=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-08/israeli-billionaire-to-lose-trump-granted-sanction-reprieve|access-date=2021-03-08}}</ref> In October of 2023, [[The Wall Street Journal]] reported that the US was considering lifting sanctions against Getler.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kalin |first=Summer Said,Julie Steinberg and Stephen |title=WSJ News Exclusive {{!}} U.S. Considers Dropping Sanctions Against Israeli Billionaire in Push for EV Metals |url=https://www.wsj.com/business/u-s-considers-dropping-sanctions-against-israeli-billionaire-in-push-for-ev-metals-64dc3b19 |access-date=2024-01-06 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}}</ref>

D.R.C. President [[Felix Tshisekedi]] negotiated with Gertler to gain control over the Gertler's cobalt and copper mining and oil-drilling rights in D.R.C. that have an estimated value of $2 billion. In return, Gertler asked President Tshisekedi to lobby the American government to lift the sanctions against him. As of 2023, D.R.C.'s mineral wealth was one of the richest in the world, while 60% of the country's people experienced extreme poverty.<ref name="Lipton_Searcy_20230403"/> As long as Gertler controls these assets, the D.R.C. cannot sell them to new investors and benefit from the country's resources.<ref name="Lipton_Searcy_20230403"/> Critics of the agreement said that Gertler would still collect tens of millions of dollars annually in royalties in the D.R.C.<ref name="Lipton_Searcy_20230403"/>

In 2020, Gertler filed a lawsuit for 9 million shekels against ''[[Haaretz]]'' newspaper and journalists Gur Megiddo and [[Chaim Levinson]], after they published an investigative report describing how funds were transferred from the Democratic Republic of Congo to Israel, despite the economic sanctions imposed on Gertler by the United States. In the affidavit submitted by ''Haaretz'' journalists, it was stated that they did not claim Gertler circumvented the sanctions. In September 2024, the Tel Aviv District Court asked the parties to dismiss the lawsuit, reasoning that "in these times (amid the [[Israel–Hamas war]]), it is neither right nor appropriate to escalate disputes within Israel." The parties agreed, and the lawsuit was dismissed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yitzhak |first=Yoav |date=September 19, 2024 |title=Haaretz newspaper and its writers retracted: We did not claim that Gertler circumvented the sanctions imposed on him by the Americans |url=https://e.news1.co.il/article/490842/1 |website=[[News1]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Philanthropic activity==
===The Gertler Family Foundation===
In 2004, Gertler established the Gertler Family [[Foundation (nonprofit)|Foundation]], a [[Philanthropy|philanthropic]] organization operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The foundation aims to improve the lives of the most vulnerable communities in Congo, focusing on healthcare services, education, infrastructure development, agriculture, culture, and emergency assistance.

As part of its efforts, the foundation established five hospitals in Congo,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rensburg |first=Dewald van |date=2022-11-23 |title=SA doctors stall Glencore's mega-settlement over alleged DRC 'bribe' by Gertler associate. |url=https://amabhungane.org/sa-doctors-stall-glencores-mega-settlement-over-alleged-drc-bribe-by-gertler-associate/ |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=amaBhungane |language=en-ZA}}</ref> donated medical equipment and supplies, and facilitated free cleft lip and palate surgeries.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Gertler Family Foundation - improving the lives of vulnerable communities |url=https://foundationguide.org/foundations/gertler-family-foundation-gff/ |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Foundation Guide |language=en-US}}</ref> The foundation also rehabilitated a school in [[Lubumbashi]], contributed to the construction of a computer center, library, and additional classrooms, developed infrastructure, and established farms and a zoo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Romain Gras, Mathieu Olivier |date=August 25, 2022 |title=DRC: Dan Gertler, from zenith to twilight |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/234181/drc-dan-gertler-from-zenith-to-twilight/ |website=The Africa Report}}</ref> Additionally, the foundation donates to various food programs,<ref>{{Cite press release |last=Foundation |first=Gertler Family |title=Local Governor Visits Kitoko, Praises Farm's Extraordinary Success and Expansion Plans |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/local-governor-visits-kitoko-praises-farms-extraordinary-success-and-expansion-plans-231696671.html |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref> assists girls who have been [[Sexual abuse|sexually abused]],<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Doherty |first1=Ben |last2=Blum |first2=Petra |last3=Zihlmann |first3=Oliver |date=2017-11-05 |title=The inside story of Glencore's hidden dealings in DRC |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/nov/05/the-inside-story-of-glencore-hidden-dealings-in-drc |access-date=2024-06-18 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> helps victims of natural disasters and [[HIV/AIDS|AIDS]] patients, supports vulnerable children and adults through SOS Children's Villages,<ref name=":0" /> and more.

The foundation was closed shortly after it was placed on the U.S. sanctions list in December 2017.

===Philanthropic Activities in Israel and Worldwide===
In addition to his activities in Congo, Gertler is a regular donor to "[[Migdal Ohr]]" led by [[Yitzchak Dovid Grossman|Rabbi Yitzchak David Grossman]], various Chabad organizations, and the "Maorot [[Daf Yomi|HaDaf HaYomi]]" organization led by Rabbi Chaim David Kowalski. He is close to the [[Nadvorna (Hasidic dynasty)|Nadvorna]] [[Rebbe]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=כהן |first=ישראל |date=2014-07-14 |title=האדמו"ר מנדבורנה יצא לנופש במטוס.. |url=https://www.kikar.co.il/hasidism/147006 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=כיכר השבת |language=he}}</ref> and was close to his father, Rabbi Yaakov Yisachar Ber Rosenbaum, as well as to Rabbi David Hai Abuhatzeira.<ref>{{Cite web |last=אוחנה |first=איציק |date=2024-04-01 |title=הריקוד של רבי דוד אבוחצירה והמיל.. |url=https://www.kikar.co.il/peoples/sb99yn |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=כיכר השבת |language=he}}</ref> He was also one of Rabbi [[Aharon Yehuda Leib Shteinman|Aharon Leib Shteinman]]'s close associates until his death in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |last=כהן |first=ישראל |date=2017-12-17 |title=עם נחיתתו בארץ: דן גרטלר ניחם את.. |url=https://www.kikar.co.il/haredim-news/260222 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=כיכר השבת |language=he}}</ref> Additionally, Gertler has donated millions of shekels to a fund aiding AIDS patients.<ref>{{Cite web |last=גידי וייץ' אורי בלאו |date=25 June 2009 |title=כיצד הפך היהלומן דן גרטלר לאחד האנשים החזקים בקונגו? |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/2009-06-25/ty-article/0000017f-deef-db5a-a57f-deef57a10000 |website=Haaretz}}</ref>

In 2014, he renovated the Great Synagogue in Bnei Brak for the benefit of a large [[kollel]] (institution for advanced Talmudic studies) that he supports. The kollel operates around the clock, providing the scholars with higher-than-usual monthly stipends,<ref>{{Cite web |last=כהן |first=ישראל |date=2014-06-24 |title=דן גרטלר משפץ את ביהכ"נ הגדול עב.. |url=https://www.kikar.co.il/haredim-news/145349 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=כיכר השבת |language=he}}</ref> special holiday grants, and assistance with the costs of expensive dental treatments, [[Bar and bat mitzvah|bar mitzvahs]], and weddings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=כהן |first=ישראל |date=2015-09-07 |title=הבשורה של דן גרטלר: מימון טיפולי.. |url=https://www.kikar.co.il/haredim-news/180892 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=כיכר השבת |language=he}}</ref>

In that same year, he played a crucial role in the release of [[Joshua French and Tjostolv Moland|Joshua French]], a Norwegian citizen convicted of murdering a local resident. For his efforts, Norwegian Prime Minister [[Erna Solberg]] and Ambassador Thor Vennesland awarded Gertler a certificate of recognition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hansen |first=Halle Jørn |date=2021-04-23 |title=Om DR Kongo, Joshua French, ressursplyndring, og Dan Gertlers rolle |url=https://www.panoramanyheter.no/dr-kongo-korrupsjon-menneskerettigheter/om-dr-kongo-joshua-french-ressursplyndring-og-dan-gertlers-rolle/201064 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=www.panoramanyheter.no |language=nb-NO}}</ref>

During the [[2014 Nepal snowstorm disaster|Annapurna snowstorm disaster]], he dispatched a medical team using his private plane.<ref>{{Cite web |last=כהן |first=ישראל |date=2014-10-18 |title=האסון בנפאל: מטוסו של דן גרטלר ה.. |url=https://www.kikar.co.il/haredim-news/154124 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=כיכר השבת |language=he}}</ref>

===Diplomatic Activity===
In 2003, Gertler was an active participant in the Congo peace talks (the [[Sun City Agreement]]), mediating between [[Joseph Kabila]], [[Paul Kagame]], and American diplomats, including [[Condoleezza Rice]]. During this period, Kabila appointed Gertler as the "Special Envoy of the Democratic Republic of Congo to Washington."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Romain Gras, Mathieu Olivier |date=August 24, 2022 |title=DRC: Dan Gertler, the inevitable rise of Kabila's businessman |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/234166/drc-dan-gertler-the-inevitable-rise-of-kabilas-businessman/ |website=The Africa Report}}</ref>

According to [[Ron Dermer]], former Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Gertler is an asset to Israel's security and interests due to his connections in Africa and his philanthropic contributions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=בלומברג |first=אית'ן ברונר |date=2021-03-19 |title=ראש המוסד ביקש מממשל טראמפ להסיר את הסנקציות מהמיליארדר דן גרטלר |url=https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3900191,00.html |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=כלכליסט - www.calcalist.co.il}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Mining industry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website|https://dan-gertler.com}}
*{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/911507.stm
|publisher=BBC
|date=5 September 2000
|title=DR Congo's diamond deal
|location=London, UK
}}
*{{cite journal
 |url=http://ipisresearch.be/publication/have-african-based-diamond-monopolies-been-effective/
 |journal=Central Africa Minerals and Arms Research Bulletin
 |issue=2
 |date=18 June 2001
 |publisher=International Peace Information Service (IPIS)
 |title=Have African-based Diamond Monopolies Been Effective?
 |access-date=17 November 2011}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gertler, Dan}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Diamond dealers]]
[[Category:Israeli mining businesspeople]]
[[Category:Israeli billionaires]]
[[Category:Israeli chief executives]]
[[Category:Israeli corporate directors]]
[[Category:Israeli Jews]]
[[Category:Israeli people of Romanian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:People named in the Panama Papers]]
[[Category:People sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act]]
[[Category:People from Katanga Province]]
[[Category:People named in the Paradise Papers]]
[[Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo–Israel relations]]