Leviev: Zionism is bankrupt because of 'new American religion'

in addition to being the richest person in Israel, operates a 100-school educational network in Israel, the former Soviet Union and eastern Europe - does not accept secular Jewish culture and believes that Zionism is bankrupt

"And for that we are to blame, first and foremost, the moment we try to import the new American religion, and concentrate only on the new things that are being invented in our generation, and shrug off our Judaism."

Leviev, who serves as president of the Federation of Jewish Communities of the CIS, had kinds words for outgoing Russian president Vladimir Putin and his successor, Dmitry Medvedev.

"Just as Putin was a wonderful president for the Jews, I think that Medvedev will be one, too," said Leviev. "I wish the Jews themselves would appreciate the Jews the way Putin knows how to appreciate them."

Leviev also criticized the Israeli policy of investigating sitting prime ministers for suspected improprieties