Billionaire Igor Tulchinsky Funds West Bank Settlement Mental Health Facility

(MENAFN- USA Art News) Belarus-born billionaire Igor Tulchinsky, who financially supported the Bayeux Tapestry's recent exhibition in the UK, has also provided funding for a community center in an illegal Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank. The venture capitalist contributed £5 million ( $6.8 million ) toward the 11th-century embroidery's loan to the British Museum, according to Middle East Eye. He additionally sponsored a yurt within a community center located in Efrat, an illegal settlement.

As reported by the Jerusalem News Syndicate (JNS), Tulchinsky is the primary benefactor for the structure, which opened on November 13, 2025. This facility is part of the Mondlak Center, established to address the mental health needs of residents in the area. JNS stated that the“warm and inviting wood-lined space is designed for group therapy activities, yoga and martial arts sessions for individuals coping with mental health challenges.” The British Museum did not immediately respond to a comment request regarding this matter.

The UK recently imposed sanctions on illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, with the BBC reporting this week that the UK accused the Israeli government of overlooking the“ethnic cleansing” of Palestinians by settlers. At the yurt's inauguration, Tulchinsky dedicated the center to“Israel's heroes,” as JNS reported, referring to the yurt as“Israel's inner Iron Dome,” a reference to the country's advanced defensive system.

Tulchinsky, a New York resident and founder of WorldQuant, an investment firm managing $17 billion in assets, has an estimated net worth of $1.7 billion, according to Forbes.

We previously reported:

The Bayeux Tapestry is on view at the British Museum for the first time in 950 years, with transport costs totaling £1.2 million.

The Musée Bonnat-Helleu in France, reopened last fall after 14 years of renovations, presents an exhibition challenging conservative trends in the art world.

Source: ARTnews

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