Human Rights Groups Call on Oprah Winfrey to Cut Ties With Israeli Diamond Billionaire

Abstract: 

Oprah Winfrey may be a billionaire TV mogul known for her charitable deeds, but she has run into her fair share of public relations nightmares.

The latest involves her association with Israeli diamond magnate Lev Leviev. Winfrey has been criticized for wearing Leviev’s diamonds on the cover of O magazine. Born in Uzbekistan, Leviev is now an Israeli citizen who, according to Forbes, is worth more than $1 billion. Leviev is also known as “the King of Diamonds,” said Forbes. In a press release, several human rights groups said Winfrey should distance herself from Leviev because of his companies’ poor human rights record in Palestine and Angola.