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Ray Hanania
speaking out against terrorism
I have been collecting past statement and
press releases I have issued publicly that have consistently denounced
violence, not only by Israel, but by Palestinian groups like Hamas, and
that have encouraged peaceful coexistence between Palestinians and Jews. I
repeat my challenge to any of the critics to show what they have done.
This is a copy of a release sent out in
October, promoting a program I helped organize as a member representing Builders
for Peace in Chicago. The luncheon was a first-ever event that brought Jews and
Palestinians in Chicago to discuss ways to promote peace. It was the first time
I know of where Jews and Palestinians actually got together in a public way to
break bread (rather than in private and unpublicized.)
Press Release distributed on
October 1, 1994
Palestinians-Jews work for Builders for
Peace, Chicago
Builders for Peace
33 N Dearborn Street Suite 1400 Chicago IL 60602 312-629-9099
BUILDERS FOR PEACE DELEGATION VISITS
CHICAGO WILL EXPLORE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Chicago -- A delegation of Eight Palestinian businessmen from the West
Bank and Gaza Strip will visit Chicago October 13 and 14 to participate
in two-days of events highlighting business opportunities that exist as
a result of the Israel-PLO peace accords.
The Palestinians are the guests of Builders for Peace and several
Chicago Arab and Jewish organizations and businesses who will host
several business meetings and investment sessions to explore Builders
for Peace opportunities.
The following is the list of Palestinian delegates and their
stated interests:
Issa N. Abu Aitah: paint manufacture; recycling of household
refuse, plastics: seed manufacturing; water filtration & treatment
equipment; agricultural fertilizers & insecticides; alcoholic
beverages; frozen foods; fish farming.
Hani Abu Dayyeh: develop a 210 room 4-star hotel; general interest in
franchising, including fast food, rental cars and other rental
services.
Osman Hallak: tuna-can factory.
Kamal Hassouneh: expansion of present arc-welding electrode
manufacturing operation: establish a baby-food operation; artificial
leather-making; mineral oil investments.
Daniel Issa: Coca Cola franchise, fast food franchise.
Osama Khalaf: expansion of present restaurant; fast food franchises;
hotel construction.
Ashraf El-Qudeiri: light bulb manufacture; electrical cable
production; lightweight construction-block production; electrical
panel-board production; genera; contracting, especially road
construction & paving plant.
Akram Mattar Abu K'mal: Concrete batching operation; asphalt plant &
paving equipment; floor mill; cement factory'; soft drink franchise
(Coca-Cola); partner for large scale housing towers project, now in
progress.
The delegation list is tentative and could change at the last
minute.
Participants in the Builders for Peace program will be invited to
meet one-on-one with delegates on Thursday October 13 and Friday
October 14. The meetings are being coordinated by the American-Israel
Chamber of Commerce.
-- MORE -- Builders for Peace Page - 2 -
Tentative Schedule of Events
THURSDAY
12 NOON Luncheon Session
(Private Kick-Off Reception)
Hosts: Middle East SubCommittee, The Executive Club
(Arab-American Business and Professional Association, American-
Israel Chamber of Commerce, The Executive Club)
Location: The Plaza Club, 130 East Randolph St. 40th Floor
Guest Speaker, Alan Delp, President & CEO, American National Bank
2 PM - 5 PM
One-on-one business meetings.
Sponsored by: American-Israel Chamber of Commerce
& Urban Strategies Group
Individually scheduled at various locations
FRIDAY
9 AM- 10 AM Delegation Meeting
Rom Poplawski, Asst. Director Dept. of Commerce & Community
Affairs State of Il. Main Conference Room, 3rd Floor.
12 NOON Luncheon Session
Public Reception
Hosts: The American Jewish Committee & Urban Strategies Group
Illinois Ethnic Coalition, Builders for Peace
Cost: $35 per person
Location: Hyatt Regency, 111 E. Wacker
2 PM - 5 PM
One-on-one business meetings.
Hosts: American-Israel Chamber of Commerce & Urban Strategies Group
Location: Conference Rooms at Hyatt Regency Hotel
7 PM-11 PM
Dinner Cruise, Spirit of Chicago
Hosts: ABPA
Location: Navy Pier
Cost: $65 per person (Dinner and cruise of Lake front)
A delegation of seven Palestinian businessmen will also
participate in a similar session in Los Angeles on the same dates. For
information on the Los Angeles events, please contact Sabri M. El
Farra, c/o SafaCorp, 541 W. Colorado St, Glendale CA 91204,
818-246-2321 or FAX: 818-246-2327 (No E-Mail address)
Reservation Information
* You are required to register for the Friday luncehon session in
order to participate in the one-on-one business meetings on Friday
Thursday Private Luncehon Reception
Cost: The Executive Club
Executive Members and their Guests:
Reservation deadline: Oct. 10.
RSVP by Mail or FAX:
Executive Club
8 So. Michigan
Suite 1604
Chicago IL 60603-3399
Fax: 312-263-3502
Location: Plaza Club, 130 East Randolph Street, 40th Floor
Time: 12 Noon
Contact: MidEast SubCommittee
Laurel, 263-3500
Friday Open Luncheon Session
Cost: $35 Payable to American Jewish Committee or Urban
Strategies Group
RSVP by mail or FAX:
Ray Hanania, Urban Strategies Group
33 N. Dearborn St., Suite 1400, Chi. IL 60602 312-629-9099
FAX: 312-629-9091
Jeryl Levin, Il. Ethnic Coalition
55 East Monroe, Suite 2930, Chi. IL 60603 368-1155 FAX:251-8815
Location: Hyatt Regency, 111 E. Wacker (room to be announced)
Time: NOON
Speakers: Culligan Chairman & CEO Steve Green
Abed Tarbush, OPIC
Milton Levenfeld, President, American Jewish Committee
Ray Hanania, President, Urban Strategies Group
Vivian Khalaf, Import Export Law Attorney
(Program is tentative)
Friday Open Dinner/Spirit of Chicago
Cost: $65 Payable to ABPA
Reservation deadline Oct. 10
Call:708-632-1995
Location: Navy Pier (Parking across the street)
Time: 7 PM, boarding 7:30 PM, departure 8 PM Sharp (NO DELAYS)
Contact: Arab-American Business and Professional Assn.
Joanne, 708-632-1995
Agenda for Hyatt Luncheon
12 Noon
Ray Hanania, Emcee
Introduce each speaker
Acknowledge participants and individuals who helped
Announce the after-luncheon meeting availabilities
William Rattner, President, AJC
Welcome -- This is one of the most comprehensive Arab-Jewish
efforts in Chicagoland, and a precedent for relations to come
Vivian Khalaf, Export Import Attorney
Brief on Import/Export priorities
Milton A. Levenfeld, President
American-Israel Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Abed Tarbosh, Middle East Investment Services Officer, OPIC - or (Jim
Zogby) Will explain what Builders for Peace/OPIC have to
offer How it must be done
Jim Zogby, Exec. Dir., AAI
Introduce guest speaker
Steven Green, Chairman CEO Culligan International
Guest Speaker
Culligan, one of five major investment moves into the West
Bank/Gaza Strip Under the Builders for Peace Banner
Builders for Peace Chicago Host Committee
Urban Strategies Group 33 N. Dearborn St. Suite 1400 Chi. IL 60602
312-629-9099
October 1, 1994
Dear Friend:
We cordially invite you to a luncheon on Friday October 14, 1994
in honor of a Palestinian business delegation invited to the United
States by Builders for Peace, and the Overseas Private Investment
Corporation.
The luncheon will feature several speakers who will provide
information on how local businesses can participate in Builders for
Peace, and will be followed by an informal session where luncheon
guests may pursue contacts with each of the delegation members.
The delegation's visit is being hosted by several organizations
including:
The Arab-American Business and Professional Association, The American
Jewish Committee, The Illinois Ethnic Coalition, The Executive Club
Middle East SubCommittee, The American-Israel Chamber of Commerce, and
Urban Strategies Group.
This event is probably the most extensive cooperative effort among
Arab and Jewish leaders in Chicago's history and will certainly set a
precedent for future efforts. You won't want to miss this opportunity
to learn about investment opportunities that are available through
Builders for Peace. Speakers will include
Steve Green, Chairman and CEO of Culligan International, one of the
first Builders for Peace investment projects planned, and Abed Tarbosh,
Middle East Investment Services Officer for OPIC.
The luncheon is $35 per person and will be held at:
The Hyatt Regency Chicago
111 E. Wacker Drive Grand Ballroom
Chicago, Illinois
12 Noon
Sincerely,
Ray Hanania Jeryl Levin Jonathan Levine
Urban Strategies Group Il Ethnic Coalition American Jewish Committee
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Please return this reservation form with your payment.
Name:_____________________________________ Date:______________
Company:__________________________________ Title:___________________
Address:_______________________________________Suite:_______________
City:___________________________State:________ Zip Code:_______________
Telephone:____________________________Fax:__________________________
Luncheon cost is $35 per person. Please make your payment to
either Urban Strategies Group, or The American Jewish Committee, and
return to 33 N. Dearborn St. Suite 1400, Chic. IL 60602
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
312-629-9099
Oct. 3, 1994
Jewish and Arab Leaders Host Builders
For Peace Delegation Business Meetings
Chicago -- A delegation of eight Palestinian business leaders from the
West Bank and Gaza Strip will visit Chicago Oct. 12, 13, and 14 in what
will prove to be one of the most extensive Arab-Jewish cooperative
efforts in Chicago's history.
The delegation visit is sponsored by Builders for Peace and the
Overseas Private Investment Corporation to promote investments in the
West Bank and Gaza Strip.
A Chicago host committee consisting of leaders from the Chicago
Arab and Jewish communities are jointly sponsoring several events
honoring the guests including scheduling one-one-one business
investment meetings between delegation members and Chicago area
business leaders.
The Chicago event is coordinated by Ray Hanania, president of
Urban Strategies Group, and Ahmad Abdulaziz, Corporate Investment
Executive for Prudential Securities. The delegation visit is hosted by
several organizations including: The Arab-American Business and
Professional Association, The American-Israel Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, The American Jewish Committee, The Executive Club Middle East
SubCommittee, and the Illinois Ethnic Coalition.
"Our main effort is to link Chicago area businessmen and women who
are interested in pursuing investment in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
under the banner of Builders for Peace and the Israel-Palestinian peace
process," said Hanania.
Hanania said that interested business leaders can contact his
office to obtain information about events scheduled for Thursday and
Friday, October 13 and 14, that will permit direct contact with the
eight member delegation.
A special luncheon is scheduled on Friday, October 14, at the
Hyatt
Regency, that is scheduled to feature as guest speaker Steven Green,
Chairman and CEO of Astrum Management Corp. parent company of Culligan
International, which is involved in one of five Builders for Peace
projects.
Business meetings are being arranged for both days, but attendees
at Friday's reception will have an opportunity to meet with the
delegation at the Hyatt Regency following the luncheon.
For more information on the delegation's visit, you may contact:
Mr. Hanania, 312-629-9099
Talat Othman, ABPA, 708-632-1995
Mr. Abdulaziz, 312-630-7244
Jeryl Levin, The Illinois Ethnic Coalition, 312-368-1155
Jonathan Levine, American Jewish Committee, 312-251-8800
Marlene Greenberg at the American-Israel Chamber
of Commerce and Industry, 312-641-2937
Tickets for Friday's luncheon are $35 per person and must be
confirmed no later than Tuesday, October 11, 1994.
Arrangements for attendance by representatives of the news media
can be made through Mr. Hanania at 312-629-9099.
Profiles of the visitors and a detailed event schedule are also
available, upon request.
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