Jewish billionaire businessman Sheldon Adelson told Forbes magazine in an interview that his financial backing of Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich is based on more than just Gingrich’s staunch support for Israel.

“What scares me is the continuation of the socialist-style economy we’ve been experiencing for almost four years,” Adelson was quoted as saying, referring to the administration of current U.S. President Barack Obama. “That scares me because the redistribution of wealth is the path to more socialism, and to more of the government controlling people’s lives. What scares me is the lack of accountability that people would prefer to experience, just let the government take care of everything and I’ll go fish or I won’t work, etc.”

Adelson is a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and is the owner of the Israeli daily Israel Hayom.

Adelson has reportedly given $11 million to Gingrich’s super PAC, Winning Our Future, and is expected to donate $10 million more.

Responding to his critics, Adelson told Forbes, “Those people are either jealous or professional critics. They like to trash other people. It’s unfair that I’ve been treated unfair – but it doesn”t stop me. I might give $10 million or $100 million to Gingrich.”

For more go to Haaretz.com

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