The billionaire who wants to build the Middle East a parliament on Israeli soil - interview
Joseph (Joe) J. Sitt calls it the Abraham Organization, and he is deliberate about dropping the word "Accord," referring to it as "the next evolution."
Joseph J. Sitt, the chairman and CEO of Thor Equities, a New York real estate firm, has been funding the restoration of Jewish graves and ancient synagogues in Syria, Algeria, Egypt, Lebanon, and Turkey for approximately 20 years. He believes that the ruins of the Second Temple should not be given more importance than these older sites and seeks to build a functioning relationship with the countries in the Middle East.
Sitt aims to transform the Abraham Accords from a set of agreements to an actual institution with a building, staff, and address in Jerusalem. He calls this project the Abraham Organization, which he believes is the next step in the alliance between the Muslim and Jewish worlds. Sitt avoids using the term "Accord" to emphasize this distinction.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Sitt attributes his success to a hybrid identity, straddling both the Syrian Jewish and global Jewish communities. His family has roots in Spain and the Canary Islands, and he attended an Ashkenazi school despite his Syrian Jewish heritage. Sitt has built a successful business empire, investing in consumer brands and managing a $20 billion portfolio for various clients.
Sitt's connections with Middle Eastern governments, particularly with the UAE, are strong. He maintains a close relationship with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a close friend and a key figure in the UAE. Sitt believes that the Emiratis are genuinely interested in promoting peace in the region and would be willing to donate a plot of land in Jerusalem for his proposed headquarters.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
