Personality of the Month
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Khaled Osaily
A Pioneering Business Man and a True Leader
Mr. Khaled Osaily is a pioneering businessman and a true leader. He is a strong believer in the Palestinian cause and a true lover of his hometown of Hebron. His pragmatic character and crystal clear vision have led him to distinguished positions in both the private and public sectors.
Mr. Osaily was born in 1947 in Hebron, Palestine. He graduated with a degree in business administration in 1970. Mr. Osaily serves on the board of directors of a number of companies. In addition, he serves as the vice chairman of the Arab Palestinian Investment Company (APIC), which represents a diversified portfolio of investment companies, and he is on the board of directors of the Gaza Power Generating Company (GPGC), among many others. In addition, he is one of the founders of many companies and several NGOs and associations, such as Paltel, the Businessmen’s Association in Jerusalem, and the Palestinian American Chamber of Commerce.
A socially responsible leader and supporter of the public good, Mr. Osaily has served in a number of public positions. He was on the board of directors of the Palestinian Monetary Authority from 2002 to 2005 and was the youngest elected member of the Municipal Council in Palestine in the year 1976. He served as a deputy mayor in the Hebron Municipality until the year 2003. Mr. Osaily was the mayor of Hebron for five consecutive years. During his term, which lasted from 2007 to 2012, Hebron had an unusual style of leadership. The management of the municipality was run with a private-sector mentality that concentrated on outputs and avoided centralisation and bureaucracy.
He strongly believes that the Palestinian children and youth deserve better lives away from occupation and hatred. He gave top priority to founding an infrastructure that supports childhood and sports and serves as an incubator for talent. Several sports and cultural centres were constructed, among which is the biggest covered sports hall in Palestine, Al-Hussein Football Stadium. There is also the Korean Palestinian Youth Centre, which is considered a landmark in Hebron and the Tareq Ben Ziyad Community Centre where people can enjoy a nice swim, among many other activities.
Mr. Osaily is a strong believer in gender equality and always reiterated his belief that women don’t only comprise 50 percent of the community, they represent 100 percent because they have the responsibility for raising the other 50 percent.
Mr. Osaily, is a prominent figure not only on the national level but also on the international level. His achievements on the international level during the time he was mayor were immeasurable, and Hebron city, with its special political situation, became well known worldwide. The case of Hebron became a top priority for all politicians and international organisations dealing with Palestine after his efforts touring the world and presenting Hebron at international conferences.
History will record Mr. Osaily’s efforts to protect the Old City of Hebron and the enthusiasm he had for adding Hebron’s Old City to UNESCO’s international heritage list. The file has been prepared and submitted to the UNESCO for approval, which will hopefully happen soon.
Mr. Osaily’s strong belief in decentralisation, good governance, and teamwork has changed the image of Hebron municipality from a bureaucratic organisation into a modern municipality with automated procedures.
The Municipality of Hebron was selected as the best Palestinian municipality in 2012. In January 2013, Mr. Osaily received a Medal of Merit and Superiority from President Abbas as a mark of appreciation for Mr. Osaily’s contribution to his country and for serving the population through his role as Hebron’s mayor. Most recently, Mr. Osaily was chosen to be a member of the board of trustees of the Middle East University in Amman.
Mr. Khaled Osaily is a pioneering businessman and a true leader. He is a strong believer in the Palestinian cause and a true lover of his hometown of Hebron. His pragmatic character and crystal clear vision have led him to distinguished positions in both the private and public sectors.
Mr. Osaily was born in 1947 in Hebron, Palestine. He graduated with a degree in business administration in 1970. Mr. Osaily serves on the board of directors of a number of companies. In addition, he serves as the vice chairman of the Arab Palestinian Investment Company (APIC), which represents a diversified portfolio of investment companies, and he is on the board of directors of the Gaza Power Generating Company (GPGC), among many others. In addition, he is one of the founders of many companies and several NGOs and associations, such as Paltel, the Businessmen’s Association in Jerusalem, and the Palestinian American Chamber of Commerce.
A socially responsible leader and supporter of the public good, Mr. Osaily has served in a number of public positions. He was on the board of directors of the Palestinian Monetary Authority from 2002 to 2005 and was the youngest elected member of the Municipal Council in Palestine in the year 1976. He served as a deputy mayor in the Hebron Municipality until the year 2003. Mr. Osaily was the mayor of Hebron for five consecutive years. During his term, which lasted from 2007 to 2012, Hebron had an unusual style of leadership. The management of the municipality was run with a private-sector mentality that concentrated on outputs and avoided centralisation and bureaucracy.
He strongly believes that the Palestinian children and youth deserve better lives away from occupation and hatred. He gave top priority to founding an infrastructure that supports childhood and sports and serves as an incubator for talent. Several sports and cultural centres were constructed, among which is the biggest covered sports hall in Palestine, Al-Hussein Football Stadium. There is also the Korean Palestinian Youth Centre, which is considered a landmark in Hebron and the Tareq Ben Ziyad Community Centre where people can enjoy a nice swim, among many other activities.
Mr. Osaily is a strong believer in gender equality and always reiterated his belief that women don’t only comprise 50 percent of the community, they represent 100 percent because they have the responsibility for raising the other 50 percent.
Mr. Osaily, is a prominent figure not only on the national level but also on the international level. His achievements on the international level during the time he was mayor were immeasurable, and Hebron city, with its special political situation, became well known worldwide. The case of Hebron became a top priority for all politicians and international organisations dealing with Palestine after his efforts touring the world and presenting Hebron at international conferences.
History will record Mr. Osaily’s efforts to protect the Old City of Hebron and the enthusiasm he had for adding Hebron’s Old City to UNESCO’s international heritage list. The file has been prepared and submitted to the UNESCO for approval, which will hopefully happen soon.
Mr. Osaily’s strong belief in decentralisation, good governance, and teamwork has changed the image of Hebron municipality from a bureaucratic organisation into a modern municipality with automated procedures.
The Municipality of Hebron was selected as the best Palestinian municipality in 2012. In January 2013, Mr. Osaily received a Medal of Merit and Superiority from President Abbas as a mark of appreciation for Mr. Osaily’s contribution to his country and for serving the population through his role as Hebron’s mayor. Most recently, Mr. Osaily was chosen to be a member of the board of trustees of the Middle East University in Amman.