Elghanian had close ties with Israel, and investments here. He and his brothers built the first skyscraper in Ramat Gan’s Diamond Exchange, the Shimshon Tower. His success made Elghanian a target even before the Islamic Revoltuion: In 1975, he was arrested, and even briefly imprisoned, as part of a government campaign to battle inflation. So patriotic was Elghanian (who partnered with Muslims and with Armenians in different ventures) that, even after the Shah fled the country and Elghanian sent his wife and children to the United States, he decided, if only to try and sell his businesses before leaving the country permanently.
