Ratan Tata refutes Israeli media claim that he had discussions with Arnon Milchan

His office issued a formal statement on Thursday to counter the allegations by a section of the Israeli media, which claimed that the name of Ratan Tata figures in the Israeli police recommendations seeking to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on graft charges.

Excerpts from the statement:

"The office of Mr. Ratan N. Tata wishes to make a statement on his behalf to put out correct facts in relation with the reportage yesterday [Wednesday] in a section of the Israeli media.

The ‘Tata project’, being referred to by the Israeli media, was a proposal received by Mr. Tata in 2009 from the Israeli establishment seeking the assistance of the Tata organisation in preparing a concept plan, as part of a broader peace initiative with Palestine, for a low volume automotive assembly plant on the banks of the Jordan river. The intention was to provide skilled employment to Palestinians. To be viable, the plan envisaged the establishment of a free trade corridor to Haifa to facilitate exports and offset higher logistics costs in Israel.

These discussions on the project were directly held between a Tata team and the Israeli authorities, and not with Mr. Arnon Milchan, as stated by the Israeli media. Mr. Tata wishes to clarify once again that there has never been any partnership in any such project with Mr. Milchan.

A broad concept plan for a low output automobile assembly plant was prepared by Tata Motors. It never reached the stage of detailed planning or costing, as the peace initiative itself was not put in place. The car project died a natural death.

During Mr. Tata’s visit to Tel Aviv, on November 1, 2017, to address a conference on Mobility, he met a team of Israeli investigators at their request, and enunciated these facts to them.

Mr. Tata reiterates that the reports in the media of a “partnership with Mr. Arnon Milchan” and the claim of “a huge profit” are both factually incorrect and appear to be motivated."