Author: rayhanania

RAY HANANIA — Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books. Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007). Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues as Special US Correspondent for the Arab News ArabNews.com, at TheArabDailyNews.com, and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. Click here to send Ray Hanania email. Follow RayHanania on Gettr.com, the uncensored Twitter Ray Hanania on Gettr, the new Twitter

Chris Kennedy to run for Illinois Governor

February 8, 2017June 12, 2019 rayhanania 1 Comment

Chris Kennedy to run for Illinois Governor Christopher G. Kennedy, the son of the late U.S. Attorney Robert F. Kennedy and a long time Chicagoland businessman, announce this week he will run for governor of Illinois. Kennedy’s campaign is being advised by a Palestinian American political consultant, Hanah Jubeh. By Ray Hanania The Kennedy’s are…

American Arabs, Bloggers, Commentary, Editors Picks, News, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, Ray Hanania, Spotlight, US Arab Politics

New book on challenges facing refugees, immigrants

February 7, 2017February 9, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

New book on challenges facing refugees, immigrants Melissa Fleming, Chief Spokesperson of the UN Refugee agency and one of the world’s foremost experts on refugees, has published a new book that speaks to the heart of the debate over the suspension of refugee resettlement in the United States and the suspension of visas for immigrants…

American Arabs, Arab World, Book Review, Middle East, News, Press Releases

New book released on a Jewish immigrant’s story to Israel

February 7, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

New book released on a Jewish immigrant’s story to Israel Chutzpah & High Heels Launched by Yotzeret Publishing New memoir explores life as an American immigrant in Israel and Jewish pluralism February 7, 2017 – St. Paul, MN – Yotzeret Publishing, which publishes books written from a Jewish perspective with a specialty in those written…

Book Review, Israel, Middle East, Press Releases

BDS targets Hyundai for supporting home demolitions

February 7, 2017November 8, 2018 rayhanania No Comments

BDS targets Hyundai for supporting home demolitions Hyundai Targeted for Boycott Campaign by Palestinian Human Rights Defenders in Israel. Campaign Cites Company’s Complicity in Demolition of Palestinian Homes & Violations of International Law Palestinian human rights defenders launch #BoycottHyundai campaign to end its involvement in Israel’s “ethnic cleansing of Palestinian communities in Jerusalem and the Naqab” Campaign seeks…

American Arabs, Bloggers, Commentary, Israel, Middle East, News, Palestine & Jordan, Politics

Two new Cable TV Networks targeting American Arabs launched

February 7, 2017February 7, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

Two new Cable TV Networks targeting American Arabs launched On January 19th, 2017 ZEE TV Americas held a press conference/community event in New Jersey for the launch of 2 New Networks – ZEE ALWAN & ZEE AFLAM targeting the Arab audiences in the USA. ZEE ALWAN is An Indian Drama & Entertainment Channel and ZEE…

American Arabs, Middle East, News, Press Releases, Television

PLO denounces Israeli land grab

February 7, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

PLO denounces Israeli land grab The “most Democratic country in the Middle East” this week adopted a law that strips the rights of Christians and Muslims to land they own in order to allow Israelis who are Jewish only to live on those lands and build homes. The law is a fundamental aspect of Apartheid laws…

Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Editors Picks, Israel, Middle East, News, Palestine & Jordan

Lady Gaga causes ruckus, again, over Super Bowl song

February 6, 2017 rayhanania 2 Comments

Lady Gaga causes ruckus, again, over Super Bowl song Superstar singer Lady Gaga has lit up Social Media with renewed speculation over why she included the word “Lebanese” in one of the songs she performed at the 51st (LI) Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, called “Born This Way.” The word popped up in a set…

American Arabs, Arab World, Bloggers, Christian & Muslim, Commentary, News

When did the Super Bowl become a political football?

February 1, 2017June 12, 2019 rayhanania No Comments

When did the Super Bowl become a political football? The Super Bowl began as a fantastic expression of the highest achievements of American sports and an inspiration for young people to strive in fair and stubborn competition. Since when did it become a platform for entertainers and businesses to become a political platform for their personal partisan…

Bloggers, Commentary, Entertainment, mainstream, Politics, Ray Hanania, Sports, Television

Life of Palestinian Poet Taha Muhammad Ali be feted in play

January 31, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

Life of Palestinian Poet Taha Muhammad Ali be feted in play The Kennedy Center Collaborates with Sundance Institute to Bring Theater by Palestinian Playwrights to Washington, D.C. Amer Hlehel’s TAHA, Raeda Taha’s Where Can I Find Someone Like You, Ali?, and Creative Tensions: HOME to be Presented March 15-25, 2017 (WASHINGTON)—This spring, the John F. Kennedy Center for…

American Arabs, Entertainment, Middle East, Press Releases

Detroit civil rights group files suit against Trump immigration

January 31, 2017January 31, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

Detroit civil rights group files suit against Trump immigration Today (Tuesday), January 31, 2017, the Arab-American Civil Rights League (ACRL) will hold a press conference at the Theodore Levin Federal Courthouse to announce today’s filing of a federal lawsuit on behalf of several of its members challenging the constitutionality of President’s Trump’s executive order. The lawsuit, filed…

American Arabs, Middle East, Politics, Press Releases

Vice President Pence meets with Jordan’s King

January 31, 2017January 31, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

Vice President Pence meets with Jordan’s King Trump administration moves to reinforce ties with moderate Arab World leaders. Speaks with leaders of United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia the day before Vice President Michael Pence, representing President Donald Trump, held its first meeting on Monday Jan. 30, 2017 with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan…

Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Editors Picks, Israel, News, Palestine & Jordan, Politics

DHS reports less than 1 percent of travelers challenged at airports

January 30, 2017January 30, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

DHS reports less than 1 percent of travelers challenged at airports The Department of Homeland Security responded to assertions that all Muslims are being stopped at the border, saying that President Trump’s new immigration policies have resulted in less than 1 percent of more than 325,000 international travelers being inconvenienced at airports The Department of…

American Arabs, Arab World, Middle East, News, Press Releases

Poll shows most Americans oppose embassy move to Jerusalem

January 30, 2017January 30, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

Poll shows most Americans oppose embassy move to Jerusalem Most Americans oppose moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, according to an IRmep poll fielded through Google Consumer Surveys. IRmep conducted the survey January 27-29 as speculation continues about whether the Trump administration will break with twenty years of precedent and move the…

Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Israel, Middle East, News, Palestine & Jordan

Trump orders plan to destroy ISIS in Iraq and Syria

January 30, 2017February 10, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

Trump orders plan to destroy ISIS in Iraq and Syria Presidential Memorandum Plan to Defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria January 28, 2017 NATIONAL SECURITY PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM – 3 MEMORANDUM FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT THE SECRETARY OF STATE THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THE SECRETARY OF…

Middle East, News, Press Releases, Terrorism

New book released on life of Arabs in America

January 30, 2017August 20, 2019 rayhanania No Comments

New book released on life of Arabs in America Chicago writer Fatima V. Mansour has published a new book called “Ruination.” The book is about the “Issa Family” which settles on the southwest side of Chicago. The four Palestinian refugees turned American entrepreneurs have worked hard to establish themselves in this new community. They have become…

American Arabs, Bloggers, Book Review, Commentary, Palestine & Jordan

Trump immigration suspensions will save American lives

January 28, 2017January 31, 2017 rayhanania No Comments

Temporary Time-Out in Refugee Admissions Will Save American Lives, Says FAIR A temporary time-out in refugee admissions will allow time for the new administration’s intelligence leaders to review and enhance vetting procedures. Doing so will save American lives.” –FAIR President Dan Stein The following statement was issued by Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) President…

Middle East, Press Releases, Syria

New poll: 41 % of Americans support refugee settlement

January 27, 2017January 27, 2017 rayhanania 2 Comments

New poll: 41 % of Americans support refugee settlement New poll by Arab American Institute shows plurality of Americans stand with refugees and the undocumented, contrasting policies outlined by President Trump. Also … Muslim, Arab and Civil rights groups decry Trump immigration plans A plurality of Americans support refugee resettlement and undocumented immigrants, contrary to policy…

American Arabs, Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Middle East, News, Politics, Terrorism

EU boosts support for Libyan independence

January 27, 2017January 27, 2017 rayhanania 1 Comment

EU boosts support for Libyan independence Following the popular uprising in Libya in 2011, the EU made significant efforts, including through the diplomatic track, to assist Libya’s transition towards an inclusive and stable democracy and to support the UN mediation efforts in that process. To this end, the EU provides assistance to Libya and the…

Arab World, Bloggers, Commentary, Middle East, News, North Africa