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🇮🇱 Israel /Elections & Politics

The billionaire who wants to build the Middle East a parliament on Israeli soil - interview

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Context piece
  • New York real estate executive Joseph Sitt proposes building a parliament-like institution for the Abraham Accords in Jerusalem.
  • Sitt, who has spent two decades restoring Jewish graves and synagogues in Arab countries, aims to create a physical headquarters for the alliance.
  • He believes naming it the "Abraham Organization" would symbolize unity between Muslim, Arab, Jewish, and Israeli peoples.

Joseph J. Sitt, chairman and CEO of New York real estate firm Thor Equities, envisions a new institution to solidify the Abraham Accords, proposing a physical headquarters in Jerusalem.

People always have respect for their parents’ grave and their grandparents’ grave. But why should their great-grandparents’ grave be nothing to them? And why should the ruins of the Second Temple be more important than the synagogues of the same period or older?

— Joseph (Joe) J. SittExplaining his motivation for restoring Jewish graves and synagogues in Arab countries.

For two decades, Sitt has been involved in restoring Jewish graves and ancient synagogues across Syria, Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, and Turkey. This extensive work has fostered relationships with leaders in these countries, which he now aims to leverage for his new initiative.

Sitt wants the Abraham Accords to evolve from a set of agreements into a tangible organization with a building, staff, and an address. He likens his vision to a "Brussels-like headquarters of an alliance organization" for the Middle East, to be based in Jerusalem.

Why can’t we have a Brussels-like headquarters of an alliance organization, an Abraham Accords organization, that’s that unifier in the Middle East and be based in Jerusalem?

— Joseph J. SittProposing his vision for a physical headquarters for the Abraham Accords.

He calls this proposed entity the "Abraham Organization," deliberately omitting "Accord." Sitt believes the name Abraham, as a forefather to both Muslim and Jewish peoples, signifies the potential for unity. He also acknowledged that Christians also claim Abraham as a patriarch.

Actually and physically.

— Joseph J. SittClarifying his proposal for a physical construction project, not just an image.

Sitt's background includes growing up in Brooklyn and starting his business career at flea markets. He founded Thor Equities as an undergraduate and has also developed consumer brands. His early ventures focused on revitalizing neglected urban areas and serving overlooked communities.

It’s not just a piece of Accord. It’s the next evolution.

— Joseph J. SittExplaining his preference for the name "Abraham Organization" over "Abraham Accord."
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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