Controversial donation after 9/11
Immediately after the
9/11 attacks, Al Waleed gave a check of $10 million to New York City Mayor
Rudy Giuliani. He publicized a written statement upon his donation, stating "At times like this, we must address some of the issues that led to such a criminal attack. I believe the government of the United States of America should re-examine its policies in the Middle East and adopt a more balanced stance toward the Palestinian cause." As a result of his statement, Giuliani returned the check.
[15][16]
Al Waleed spoke to a Saudi weekly magazine, regarding the rejection of his check by the mayor: "The whole issue is that I spoke about their position [on the Middle East conflict] and they didn’t like it because there are Jewish pressures and they are afraid of them."
[17]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al-Waleed_bin_Talal