- Ofer Brothers Group
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The Ofer Group is an Israeli family shipping business owned by the Ofer family. The Ofer family owns one of the largest private shipping companies in the world.
Sammy Ofer, KBE (22 February 1922 – 3 June 2011) born in Romania, and brother Yuli Ofer (1924 - 11 September 2011), established the Ofer Brothers shipping company in the 1950s. The Ofer Holdings Group deals in property in Israel and overseas. The company has branched out into aviation, high-tech, private equity, media and real estate. It is chaired by 50% owner Udi Angel.
Shares in Israel Corporation, one of Israel's largest holding companies, were acquired by the Ofer family in 1999, with Ofer Holdings acquiring a stake as part of the extended group. The company's holdings include Zim, Israel Chemicals, Oil Refineries Ltd (BAZAN) in Haifa, Bank Mizrahi, Tower Semiconductor and more.
In 2011, the United States imposed sanctions on the corporation after it allegedly sold a tanker to Iran Shipping Lines. The company denied that it had ever sold ships to Iran.[1] Ofer's subsidiary Tanker Pacific sold a tanker called Raffles Park to UAE's Crystal Shipping which then sold the ship to Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines.[2] A dozen other Ofer Brothers' ships have docked in Iranian ports over the past decade.[3] The company claims it had been given permission for the dockings, but the Israeli government has denied this and has opened an investigation into the issue.[4] In September 2011 the U.S. State Department removed Ofer Brothers Group from its list of companies engaged in business dealings with Iran.[5]
On 3 June 2011, Sammy Ofer died at his Tel Aviv home at the age of 89.[6] On 11 September 2011, Yuli Ofer died at his Herzliya home at the age of 87, thus both dodging the anti-sanction proceedings being brought against them.[7]
See also
- Science and technology in Israel
- Economy of Israel
- Naiot Venture Accelerator
- The Shakshuka System
- Sanctions against Iran
References
- ^ http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4073519,00.html
- ^ Coren, Ora. "Israel could ban investment in Ofer Brothers over suspected tanker sale to Iran." Haaretz Newspaper, 26 May 2011.
- ^ "13 ships owned by Israel's Ofer Brothers have docked in Iran over past decade." Haaretz Newspaper, 29 May 2011.
- ^ "Attorney General to investigate Israeli company's Iran dealings." Haaretz Newspaper, 31 May 2011.
- ^ Lerman, David (13 September 2011). "State Department Backs Off Tying Israeli Group to Iran Ship Sale". Bloomberg News. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-13/state-department-backs-off-tying-israeli-group-to-iran-ship-sale.html. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
- ^ Sammy Ofer dies at the age of 89
- ^ http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4120917,00.html
External links
Categories:- Israeli families
- Israeli businesspeople
- Jewish families
- Business families
- Companies of Israel
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