Author: Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland. His award winning columns can be found at www.HANANIA.COM Subscribe FREE today Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing. Email Ray Hanania at [email protected]. Follow RayHanania at Twitter

Arab Center Analysis: Israel’s declining support among American Evangelicals

January 1, 2026January 1, 2026 Ray Hanania No Comments

Arab Center Analysis: Israel’s declining support among American Evangelicals By Jonathan Kuttab for the Arab Center of Washington D.C. Evangelical Christian support for Israel and its policies has long been one of the bedrock factors behind backing for Israel in the United States. Such support pervaded all sectors of American decision-making at the executive and…

American Arabs, Arab Center Washington DC, Bloggers, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Commentary, Congress, International news, Israel, Middle East, NewsWire, Opinion, Politics

Mayor-Elect Mamdani Appoints Education Veteran Kamar Samuels as Schools Chancellor To Deliver Educational Excellence

December 31, 2025December 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Mayor-Elect Mamdani Appoints Education Veteran Kamar Samuels as Schools Chancellor To Deliver Educational Excellence Samuels will partner with the Mayor-elect to raise outcomes in reading and math, confront school segregation, invest in educators, combat student homelessness, and deliver educational excellence for every student. As Superintendent in Manhattan and Brooklyn, Samuels has improved students’ literacy scores…

Civil Rights, Education, Election, Islamophobia, News, NewsWire, Politics

Taybeh exposes claims Christians are “treated better in Israel” than in Arab countries

December 31, 2025December 31, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Taybeh exposes claims Christians are “treated better in Israel” than in Arab countries By Ray Hanania Chicago, IL – During a public speech days before the Christian celebration of Christmas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bragged that “Israel is the only country in the Middle East that grants Christians full religious freedom … and is…

Arab World, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Human Rights, Israel, Middle East, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, racism, Ray Hanania, Spotlight, Terrorism

ICYMI: Shaheen Secures Repeal of Caesar Act Sanctions on Syria in Annual Defense Bill

December 19, 2025December 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

ICYMI: Shaheen Secures Repeal of Caesar Act Sanctions on Syria in Annual Defense Bill U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, secured a provision to repeal Caesar sanctions on Syria in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which now heads to the President’s desk for…

Arab World, Christian & Muslim, Human Rights, International news, Middle East, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Syria

Secretary of State Rubio rebuffs Rule of Law and defends war crimes by Israel

December 19, 2025December 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Secretary of State Rubio rebuffs Rule of Law and defends war crimes by Israel Rubio sanctions ICC Judges for issuing war crimes indictments against Israeli government criminals. Twisted Rubio statement below. Rubio act violates US Laws and defends international war crimes, exposing American soldiers to prosecution and allowing war criminals to target Americans Today, I…

Human Rights, International news, Israel, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, racism, war crimes

CAIR LDF, MLFA, SPLC and Akeel & Valentine Sue Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Over ‘Blatantly Unconstitutional’ Executive Order

December 16, 2025December 16, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

CAIR LDF, MLFA, SPLC and Akeel & Valentine Sue Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Over ‘Blatantly Unconstitutional’ Executive Order Akeel & Valentine, CAIR Legal Defense Fund (CAIR LDF), the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA) and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) announced on Monday Dec. 15, 2025 the filing of a federal lawsuit challenging Florida…

Activism, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Events, Islamophobia, News, NewsWire, Politics, racism, US Arab Politics

Union leader Fayez Khozindar honored for defense of limo and Uber Black drivers O’Hare prayer tent

December 12, 2025December 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Union leader Fayez Khozindar honored for defense of limo and Uber Black drivers O’Hare prayer tent The American Arab Chamber of Commerce honored 80 individuals, leaders, activists and journalists for their contributions to the community during its annual “Best of the Best” dinner at the Orland Civic Center Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, including a champion…

Activism, American Arabs, Business, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Event, Events, News, NewsWire, Spotlight

Illinois Arab Chamber presents “Best of the Best” awards honoring community leaders and activists

December 11, 2025December 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Illinois Arab Chamber presents “Best of the Best” awards honoring community leaders and activists The American Arab Chamber of Commerce honored 80 individuals for their contributions to the community during its annual “Best of the Best” dinner at the Orland Civic Center Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge, the event keynote speaker,…

Activism, American Arabs, Business, Event, Events, Features, Journalism, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, Spotlight, US Arab Politics

Arab American Chamber of Commerce Honors Mr. Halil Demir for his Humanitarian Leadership

December 11, 2025December 12, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Arab American Chamber of Commerce Honors Mr. Halil Demir for his Humanitarian Leadership Chicago, IL — Halil Demir, the Executive Director of the Chicago-based Zakat Foundation of America, was honored on Tuesday December 9th by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce for his life-long work and dedication to humanitarian relief in the United States and…

Activism, American Arabs, Business, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Event, Events, Human Rights, News, NewsWire

CAIR Urges Congress to Demand Rep. Randy Fine’s Resignation After His Call for a Genocide of All ‘Mainstream Muslims’

December 11, 2025December 11, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

CAIR Urges Congress to Demand Rep. Randy Fine’s Resignation After His Call for a Genocide of All ‘Mainstream Muslims’ The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today called on U.S. House leaders and members to demand the resignation of Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) after he posted a “deranged’…

Activism, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Congress, Human Rights, Islamophobia, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, racism, Terrorism

CAIR denounces defamatory namecalling of racist Ron DeSantis

December 9, 2025December 9, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

CAIR denounces defamatory namecalling of racist Ron DeSantis CAIR, CAIR-Florida Tell racist Ron DeSantis ‘See You in Court’ After Unconstitutional and Defamatory ‘Israel First Political Stunt’ The Florida chapter and national headquarters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, announced Monday, Dec. 8, 2025 plans to…

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Human Rights, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, Press Releases, racism, Spotlight

New Ninth District Poll Shows Abughazaleh Tied for First Place

November 27, 2025November 27, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

New Ninth District Poll Shows Abughazaleh Tied for First Place A recent independent poll shows Kat Abughazaleh tied for first place, with 18%. This independent poll was not sponsored by any candidate, making it the first of its kind to be released in this race. The survey of 568 likely IL-09 Democratic primary voters shows…

Activism, American Arabs, Election, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, The Arab Street, US Arab Politics, Women's rights

Microsoft worker disrupts Ignite Conference keynote speech, protests target conference venue in San Francisco, Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Microsoft European hub in Ireland

November 19, 2025November 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Microsoft worker disrupts Ignite Conference keynote speech, protests target conference venue in San Francisco, Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Microsoft European hub in Ireland Earlier today, Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, Microsoft worker Patrick Fort resigned in protest during his disruption of Judson Althoff, Microsoft CEO of Commercial Business, who was delivering the keynote speech at the Microsoft…

Civil Rights, Israel, News, Palestine & Jordan, Press Releases

Israel Civil Administration Plans to Seize 1,800 Dunams in Sebastia — the Largest Antiquities Expropriation to Date

November 19, 2025November 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Israel Civil Administration Plans to Seize 1,800 Dunams in Sebastia — the Largest Antiquities Expropriation to Date The Israeli Civil Administration has announced its intention to expropriate approximately 1,800 dunams at the archaeological site of Sebastia — the largest land seizure for antiquities ever recorded in the West Bank. The land lies adjacent to village…

Activism, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Human Rights, Israel, News, racism

Arab Center Washington DC writer addresses UN Security Council vote on Gaza

November 19, 2025November 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Arab Center Washington DC writer addresses UN Security Council vote on Gaza The Arab Center Washington DC published an in-depth analysis of the impact and legal basis for the recent UN Security Council’s adoption of Resolution 2803, which defines how the Gaza Strip will be monitored moving forward. The Resolution was approved on Monday, Nov….

Arab World, Israel, Middle East, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, United Nations

UN Security Council resolution a violation of Palestinian right of self-determination and UN Charter, UN expert warns

November 19, 2025November 19, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

UN Security Council resolution a violation of Palestinian right of self-determination and UN Charter, UN expert warns A UN expert today Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, expressed serious concern with the Security Council’s adoption of Resolution 2803, warning that it runs counter to the Palestinian right to self-determination, consolidates Israel’s unlawful presence in the occupied Palestinian…

Arab World, Christian & Muslim, Human Rights, Israel, Middle East, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, United Nations

American Arab Chamber of Commerce Illinois to host 2025 “Best of the Best” Awards Dec. 9

November 14, 2025November 14, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

American Arab Chamber of Commerce Illinois to host 2025 “Best of the Best” Awards Dec. 9 The American Arab Chamber of Commerce of Illinois will host its annual “Best of the Best” Awards night on Dec. 9, 2025, at the Orland Civic Center, 14750 S. Ravinia Avenue, in Orland Park. Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge…

Activism, American Arabs, Business, Christian & Muslim, Civil Rights, Culture, Election, Human Rights, News, NewsWire, Palestine & Jordan, Politics, Press Releases, racism, Spotlight

Joey Ruzevich launches campaign to challenge Sean Casten

November 3, 2025November 3, 2025 Ray Hanania No Comments

Joey Ruzevich launches campaign to challenge Sean Casten Joseph “Joey” Ruzevich filed nominating petitions on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 to run for Congress in Illinois’ 6th District, entering the Democratic primary challenging Rep. Sean Casten. Ruzevich said the district needs “bold, new leadership that delivers for people when the Democrats are in power.” Ruzevich was…

American Arabs, Christian & Muslim, Congress, Election, News, NewsWire, Politics