A meeting took place Thursday morning between Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto and billionaire Bashar al-Masri, a Palestinian-American businessman and investor.
Al-Masri, the founder of the city of Rawabi, is considered a key figure in the emerging US-led peace framework, and is working toward achieving a sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
During the meeting, Rabbi Pinto praised al-Masri for his many years of efforts to promote peace and spread goodness in the world.
“We must continue to work for global and regional peace. This is the time for connection and unity,” said Rabbi Pinto.
Al-Masri, born in Nablus and holding US citizenship, is the founder of Massar International, a company established in 1994 focused on developing the Palestinian private sector.
Among his most notable ventures is Rawabi, the first privately planned city in Judea and Samaria, whose development cost has been estimated at more than one billion dollars.
During the meeting, Pinto emphasized al-Masri’s commitment to advancing regional and global peace:
“Peace begins from one person to another, from small acts of kindness to major efforts of building and repair,” Pinto said, adding, “There is no longer room for division in the world.”
In recent days, Pinto has met with senior government officials and members of Israel’s political-security cabinet, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, Minister in the Finance Ministry Ze'ev Elkin - who heads the National Renewal Directorate - Transportation Minister Miri Regev, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar, and Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman.
Several months ago, Pinto met in Washington, D.C., with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was visiting the United States for a diplomatic summit with US President Donald Trump. Pinto also met with Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer during that visit.