The following site is designed to introduce Palestine to the world and collect visual evidence of Israeli crimes

http://www.fotowar.net/

The Senior Partner met The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton

On July 18^th 2010, Mr. Al Zaeem as the Chairman of Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children received Ms. Baroness Catherine Ashton, The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in her second visit to Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children and to the Gaza Strip within three months on a tour of the occupied Palestinian territories.

In a second meeting with Ms. Ashton, Mr. Al Zaeem as a member of the civil society and private sector representatives updated her Excellency with the problems which the Gaza Strip still suffers from in regard to the living conditions and the economic situation which haven't changed so much and what is needed is to completely reopen the crossing points of Gaza to enable the population to run their business and their factories and rebuild their life and the future of their children.

Mr. Al Zaeem emphasized on the Palestinian refusal of the Israeli blockade, requesting from Ms. Ashton to help lift the siege from all the Palestinian borders and ports; and the immediate reopening of the Safe Passage between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Ms. Ashton said in a press conference during the tour that she had to come to see what is happening on the ground especially concerning the humanitarian and economic sectors in the strip. She added that "The European Union has been calling for an urgent and fundamental change of policy regarding the closure of Gaza". In addition, she said that Gaza's borders must open to enable the territory's battered economy to recover and "The position of the EU is very clear. We want to see the opportunity for people to be able to move around freely, to see goods not only coming in to Gaza but exports coming out of Gaza."

The Senior Partner met the US delegation and the members of the Council for the National Interest (CNI), Mr. David Newton and Mr. Eugene Bird

On Saturday, May 22^nd 2010, Mr. Al Zaeem met a US delegation, which includes politicians, academics and the Council for the National Interest Foundation (CNI) members, Mr. David Newton, Vice-Chairman, and Mr. Eugene Bird, President, where they discussed the post war situation and the effect of the closure on the daily life of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

The US delegation raised several suggestions about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the reconciliation among the Palestinian factions. Head of the delegation and CNI Vice-Chairman Ambassador Mr. David Newton said that the visit to Gaza aimed to assess the scale of the suffering of the residents in the enclave. "The delegation will convey the reality of the humanitarian situation to the US Congress. We hope to recover balance and stability to the Middle East," he affirmed.

The Senior Partner met The United States Congressman, Mr. Keith Ellison

On April 4^th 2010, Mr. Al Zaeem in his capacity as the Chairman of Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children met the U.S. Congressman, Mr. Keith Ellison, where they discussed the effect of the closure on the daily life of the Palestinian people and the current situation in Gaza after the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip and the negative effect of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip since more than 1000 days. Mr. Ellison was impressed by the professionalism at Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children.

U.S. congressman Keith Ellison visited the Gaza Strip to inspect the humanitarian situation in the light of an Israeli blockade and delay in post- war construction. Mr. Ellison said that he came to Gaza to assess the situation and to talk to people in the civil society, including students, rights workers and businessmen.  

The Senior Partner met the Secretary General of the United Nations. Mr. Ban Ki Mon

On March 21^st 2010, Mr. Al Zaeem and the Representatives of the Palestinian private sector and civil society met the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki Mon in Khan Younes city. The UN Chief passed through Erez Crossing into the Gaza Strip for his second visit to the Gaza Strip, where he expressed his "solidarity" with the people there, who he said struggle under "unacceptable, unsustainable conditions."

Mr. Al Zaeem praised the efforts of the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UN personnel to assist the Palestinian people.

In addition, Mr. Al Zaeem demanded the United Nations to enforce the respect for the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, stressing on the need that Mr. Ban Ki-Mon setting conditions that help to end the siege which is imposed on the Gaza Strip.

At the end of the meeting, Mr. Al Zaeem expressed his pleasure of the way and the mode during the meeting with Mr. Mon, stressing that the United Nations' target must be to achieve empowerment of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate rights, and in turn the Secretary-General of the United Nations thanked the the Palestinian team's presence and interventions.

It should be mentioned that Mr. Ban was making his second visit to the Gaza Strip since the 22-day Gaza War ended in January 2009 as part of a regional tour aimed at reviving the peace process, which ground to a halt when the fighting broke out.

The Senior Partner met the delegation of the Representative Office of Norway to the Palestinian Authority headed by the Representative, Mr. Tor Wennesland

On March 18^th 2010, Mr. Al Zaeem met Mr. Tor Wennesland, the Representative, Mr. Ketil Eik, first Secretary, Mr. Olav Heian-Engdal and Mr. Erik Berggrav, Second Secretaries as well as Mr. Erik Abild, Project Coordinator at the Norwegian Aid Committee on dinner along with the Business and Civil Society Representatives, where they discussed the current situation in Gaza after 1000 day of siege and one year of the Israeli war on Gaza Strip and the negative effect of the closure imposed on Gaza Strip.

 The Senior Partner met The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton

On March 18^th 2010, Mr. Al Zaeem met The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton in her first official visit to the Gaza Strip on lunch, where they discussed the negative effect of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip and the terrible situation in Gaza after the Israeli war against the Gaza Strip.

In a second meeting, Mr. Al Zaeem as the Chairman of Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children and  during her visit to Gaza, Baroness Ashton paid a special visit to Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children namely to the Vocational Training Department and Kindergarten. As part of her tour she visited the pottery, carpentry, woodworking, sewing and embroidery departments of the Vocational Training. Upon seeing the final display of products in the Atfaluna Crafts Shop she expressed her admiration of Atfaluna work and products. 

ASDC Chairman, Mr. Al Zaeem expressed his pleasure of the visit; he said: “The visit of Baroness Catherine Ashton comes in the most critical period of time that the region witnesses, while the ongoing blockade deprives many people of their basic needs of any normal life.” 

In addition, Ms. Ashton inspected the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip on one of the highest level visits there by a Western politician to the Gaza Strip.

 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/22/opinion/22iht-edashton.html        

       The senior partner met Mr. John Holmes ,the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

On March 2^nd 2010, Mr. Al Zaeem met the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mr. John Holmes who arrived in Gaza, as part of his four-day visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.  Mr. Holmes witnessed the conditions in Gaza, one year after the end of the Israeli war on Gaza which ran from 27 December to 18 January, as well as of the local efforts being made to alleviate the suffering of the population.  Mr. Al Zaeem briefed him on his efforts to safeguard the International Humanitarian Non Governmental Organizations, since he is the legal council for most of these INGOs that working in Gaza. In addition, Mr. Al Zaeem discussed with Mr. Holmes the negative effect of the closure and the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip and the impact of the illegal trade through tunnels.

The Senior Partner met the Irish delegation headed by Irish Foreign Minister Mr. Michael Martin

On Thursday, February 25^th 2010, Mr. Al Zaeem met the Irish delegation headed by the Irish Foreign Minister Mr. Michael Martin, along with Mr. David Donoghue, Political Director and Assistant Secretary General, Ms. Pat Kelly, Director of Middle East and North Africa, Mr. Feilim McLaughin, Director of Emergency and Recovery Section at the Department of Foreign Affairs. The meeting took place at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, where they discussed the current situation in Gaza after the Israeli war on Gaza Strip and the negative effect of the closure imposed on Gaza Strip.

 Mr. Martin's visit to the Gaza Strip was arranged by the UNRWA, where he visited hospitals, schools as well as destroyed cities and towns in order to understand the real situation Gazans are living in. In addition, the Irish minister visit several sites operated by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza.

In a brief interview, Mr. Martin said that he came to Gaza to “see for myself” what had transpired in the Strip, which was the target of a three-week military campaign by Israel last year.

Mr. Martin, who is known as a critic of the Israeli-led blockade of Gaza, said Israel had given “no good reason” for denying him entry to the enclave. He also condemned Israel for denying him entry into Gaza via the Ertiz crossing point in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, claiming no clear reason was given for the decision.

Several western officials have visited Gaza since the war last winter, but Mr. Martin is only the second European minister to visit the region after Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt in February 2009.

The Senior Partner met The United States of the American Congressmen members, Mr. Brian Baird and Mr. R. Nicholas Palarino

On February 15^th 2010, Mr. Al Zaeem met the Congressmen members, Mr. Brian Baird and Mr. R. Nicholas Palarino, the Policy Advisor. The meeting took place at the American International School in Gaza, where Mr. Al Zaeem briefed them about the school and they discussed the post war situation and the effect of the closure on the education and the daily life of the Palestinian people in general in the Gaza Strip.  

The Congressmen visited hospitals, schools and other areas destroyed in the Israeli war on Gaza in a bid to have a close look on conditions of the Palestinian people in the Strip. 

On his visit to the school, Mr. Baird told the Gaza students that The United States should break Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver badly needed supplies by sea. The U.S. congressman who has announced his retirement from Congress, also told them that the United States should not condone the blockade. 

Mr. Baird urged the U.S. President Barack Obama's Middle East ambassador, George Mitchell, to visit Gaza to get a firsthand look at the destruction caused by Israeli's military offensive last year.

The Senior Partner met the Irish Delegation Members 

On July 21^st 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met the Irish delegation members: Mr. Bernard-Joseph Durkan, Mr. Joseph Costello, Mr. Clare Brosnan, Mr. Rory O'Hanlon, Mr. Ronan-Edward Gargan, Mr. Michael-Daniel Higgins, and Mr. Michael Woods at the flattened American International School, where they discussed the current situation in Gaza after the Israeli war on Gaza Strip and the negative effect of the closure imposed on Gaza Strip. In addition, Mr. Al Zaeem briefed them about the school.

The Senior Partner met Former U.S. President Mr. Jimmy Carter

 On June 16^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met Former United States President and the head of the Carter Center, Mr. Jimmy Carter at the flattened American International School where he briefed Former U.S. President about the school as well as they discussed in general the whole situation in the Gaza Strip. Soon after the meeting, Mr. Carter held press conference where he said "I come to the American school which was educating your children, supported by my own country. I see it's been deliberately destroyed by bombs from F16s made in my country and delivered to the Israelis. I feel partially responsible for this, as must all Americans and all Israelis", also he added that Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are being "treated more like animals than human beings". Mr. Al Zaeem met Former U.S. President Carter for the second time in the same day at UNRWA Field Office among a Palestinian delegation of the country leaders, where the delegation briefed him about the terrible situation in Gaza after the aggression Israeli war against Gaza Strip.

The Senior Partner met Quartet Representative Mr.  RT HON Tony Blair 

On June 15^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem and the other members of the Palestinian delegation briefed Mr. Tony Blair about the situation that they are facing in Gaza and the daily suffering of the people. Mr. Blair promised to do his utmost to carry the Palestinian demands to the members of the Quarter.

The Senior Partner met the representatives of the representative office of Switzerland

On June 14^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met the representatiaves of the Representative Office of Switzerland to the Palestinian Authority, Mr. Conny Camenzind, Deputy Head, and the representative Mr. Roland Steininger, at the flattened American International School, where they discussed the current situation in Gaza after  the Israeli war on Gaza Strip. 

The Senior Partner met H E Sheikha Hissa Khalifa Ahmad Al Than, and Mr. Michael Fox AM

On Thursday, June 11^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem as the chairman of Atfaluna Society for Deaf Children "www.atfaluna.net" received The UN Special Rapporteur on Disability, H/E Sheikha Hissa Khalifa Ahmad Al Thani and Mr. Michael Fox AM as well as the Qatari delegation and a team of volunteers and international experts in the field of disability and development, where he welcomed her and the delegation on behalf of all the NGOs working with the disabled people. They discussed the ways and means that Her Excellency can help the disabled people as well as how to support the NGOs which provide assistance for them.

The meeting was attended by over than hundred people representing more than thirty NGOs working in this field. The meeting last for about three hours and was attended by Mr. Ahmed Al Kurd, The Minister of Social Affairs.  H/E Sheikha Hissa Khalifa Ahmad Al Than promised to support the Palestinian disabled people by all means whether through the UN fund, the Qatari Government direct donation, or the Qatari   Red Crescent.

The Senior Partner met the Delegation of  Members of the EU National Parliaments

On June 9^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met the following Delegation of Members of the EU National Parliaments, led by Miloslav Vlček, Chairman of The Chamber of Deputes of The Czech Parliament who are visiting Egypt, Palestine (Gaza & West Bank), Israel and Jordan, during the period from 7^th - 13^th June 2009.  The main objective of the mission is "to understand and to know the situation in the region wising to put an end to the Israeli occupation and violence by all sides with the creation of a democratic and independent Palestinian State that will peacefully coexist with the State of Israel" The meeting took place at the location of Commodore Hotel in Gaza,  where they all visited the northern and eastern parts of Gaza City, as well as Ezbit Abd Rabbu (The industrial and  mostly inhabitant areas) mostly hit by the Israeli military aggression Operation during the Israeli war against Gaza last January. 

The Senior Partner met the American Delegation

On May 9^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem received at his home located in Gaza, Mr. Stephen W. Buck, Counsul General, Mr. Harriet Fulbright, the President of The J. William & Harriet Fulbright Center, Mr. Glenn E. Schweitzer, Director, Office for Central Europe & Eurasia, The National Academies, Mr. Richard W. Bliss, Attorney at Law, Mr. Michael T. Thomas, Mr. R. Mike Abel, Ms. Lawrene J. Nader, Mr. Lovie Woodall and Mr. Marolyn Woodall, the members of the American Delegation who visited Gaza Strip where they discussed the current situation in Gaza after the Israeli war.  Mr. Al Zaeem briefed them about the negative effect of the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip and urged them to put the necessary pressure on the American new government to start dealing with the Middle East problem with more focus and caring. The delegation members promised to do there utmost calling for balanced American  relation in the Middle East.

The senior partner met Quartet Representative Mr. Tony Blair in Ramallah

On May 5^th 2009, at 1:00pm, Mr. Al Zaeem met in Ramallah Quartet Representative Mr. Tony Blair and Mr. Jihad Al Wazir, the Governor of the Palestine Monetary Authority along with t Gazan bankers and representatives of the Association of Banks in Palestine (ABP), where the cash crisis in the Gaza Strip was discussed thoroughly. Mr. Al Zaeem handed over a document in this regard drafted as a joint effort between the Association of Banks in Palestine and the private sector to Dr. Jihad Al Wazir who indorsed it and handed it over to H/E Mr. Blair.  The document clarifies how the current restrictions, over the currencies means that the banks have been struggling to meet the demand for the Palestinian Authority salaries or for the implementation of assistance programs which are funded and vetted by a number of international donors, including the European Commission and the World Bank.  Mr. Blair promised to do his utmost to resolve this issue.

The Senior Partner met Mr. Philip Brennan, the General Secretariat of the European Union Council

On April 27^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met Mr. Philip Brennan, the General Secretariat of the European Union Council and other members of the delegation, at the location of the flattened American International School in Gaza which has been demolished during the Israeli war on Gaza where Mr. Al Zaeem briefed them about the School as well as the current situation in the Gaza Strip after the Israeli war and the effect of the closure imposed on Gaza.

The Senior Partner met the Irish Delegation

On April 24^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met Mr. Enda Kennny, T.D., Leader of Fine Gael - the main opposition party, Mr. Billy Timmins, T.D., member of Fine Gael - shadow foreign affairs minister, Mr. Alan Shatter, T. D, member of Fine Gael - member of the Parliamentary Joint Committee for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Pat Breen, T.D., member of Fine Gael, Mr. Jim Carroll, Representative of Ireland to the P.A.,  Ms. Clare Brosnan, Deputy Representative of Ireland to the P.A., and  Mr. Mark Kennelly, Fine Gael official at the location of the flattened American International School in Gaza which has been demolished during the Israeli war on Gaza where Mr. Al Zaeem briefed them about the School as well as the current political and social situation in the Gaza Strip after the Israeli war and the negative effect of the closure imposed on Gaza Strip over the Industrial, health, social, political, and economical sectors in Gaza.

The Senior Partner met the International Labour Organization (ILO) Delegation

On April 21^st 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met Mr. Friedrich Buttler, Special Representative of the Director-General, Mr. Martin Oelz, Equality, Migrant Workers and Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Team, Mr. Tariq A. Haq, Employment Development and Strategies Specialist of the International Labour Standards office, and Ms. Rasha G. El-Shurafa, Programme Officer, where they discussed the current situation in the Gaza Strip after the Israeli war, especially the effect of the war over  the labor and the Industrial sector in the Gaza Strip.  The meeting took place at our law firm in Gaza, where they later continued their tour to the flattened Industrial sites.

 The Senior Partner met Northern Irish republican leader and Sinn Fein's President, Mr. Gerry Adams

On April 8^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met Northern Irish republican leader and Sinn Fein's President Mr. Gerry Adams at the location of the flattened American International School in Gaza which has been demolished in January 6^th 2009 during the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, where Mr. Al Zaeem briefed him about the school and the situation in Gaza in general. 

On April 9^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met Mr. Adams for the second time at the field office of UNRWA for an extensive meeting where the whole issues of the Palestinian conflict as well as the Israeli/Palestinian Conflict were raised.  Mr. Al Zaeem and the rest of the Palestinian delegation explained the difficulties that the people of Gaza are going through, and asked Mr. Adams to use his good offices to put the necessary pressure on the Israeli government hoping to reach a long lasting peace agreement.

The Senior Partner met The United States of American Congressional Delegation, Mr. BOB INGLIS and Mr. Stephen F. Lynch

On April 7^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met Congressmen, BOB INGLIS and Stephen F. Lynch who were shocked by the level of destruction which happened to American School as well as the various areas of Gaza city and North Gaza Strip. They discussed the post war situation and the effect of the closure on the daily life of the Palestinian people in Gaza Strip. The Congressmen promised to do their best to discuss the possibility of arranging for generous aids to reconstruct the school as well as asking President Obama to visit Gaza Strip, so that he can assess the situation personally.

 The Senior Partner attended a Video Conference meeting with Quartet Representative, Mr. Tony Blair

On April 7^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem attended a video conference meeting with Quartet Representative Mr. Tony Blair along with private sectors and banking sector representatives, where the problems of the lack of cash in the Gaza Strip were discussed thoroughly. Mr. Blair promised to do his utmost to convince the new Israeli Government to change the current Israeli Policy in this regard.  

The Senior Partner met the International Council of Swedish Industry Members 

On  April 6^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met Ambassador Bjorn Sternby, the Acting Secretary General of Palestine International Business Forum as well as the members of the International Council of Swedish Industry Mr. Erilk Belfrage, the Chairman of the Board, Ms. Erica Molin, the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. James Martin, the General Manager-Middle East and Africa of the NASDAQ OMX Group where they discussed the current situation in the Gaza Strip after the Israeli war on Gaza and the future prospective of doing business and the needs the private sector as well as the possibility of improving it.   The meeting took place at the Palestinian Federation of Industries.   

The Senior Partner met the United Nations Middle East Envoy, Mr. Robert Serry

On March 25^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Process and UN Secretary - General's Personal Representation to the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Palestinian Authority, Mr. Robert Serry for one hour, where they discussed the current situation in the Gaza Strip and the future prospective. 

 Mr. Serry asked Mr. Al Zaeem to join an advisory team that is planed to be formed soon in Gaza

 The Senior Partner met the German Delegations

On 31^st March 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met the Member of the German Bundestag Foreign Policy Spokeswoman for the Alliance 90/The Green Parliamentary group Former Minister of State, Ms. Kerstin Muller, as well as Mr. Joachim Paul the Director of the Arab Middle East Office and Dr. Rene Wildanget the Advisor on International Policy and Institutions, Middle East, Islamic  Countries and the other German Delegations where they discussed the current situation in the Gaza Strip after the Israeli war on Gaza.  Mr. Al Zaeem accompanied them to the flattened American School.

The Senior Partner met MercyCorps's representatives

On March 12^th 2009 Mr. Al Zaeem has met MercyCorp's representatives Ms. Elena Buryan, Deputy Mission Director, Mr. Greg Tuke, Program Director, Dr. Robert Sherman, Executive Director of Action Center and Ms. Ai Hirashiki, Global Engagement Director, where they discussed the current situation in the Gaza Strip due to the Israeli war.  Mr. Al Zaeem accompanied them in a tour in Gaza and they stopped in the American School where Mr. Al Zaeem briefed them about the school.

 The Senior Partner met the Inter-Parliamentary Union Delegations

 Mr. Al Zaeem met Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab, Mp, the Speaker and Mr. Anders B. Johnsson, the Secretary General of the Inter – Parliamentary Union Delegations as well as Hon Nicky P. Nashandi the member of the Parliament of the Natinal Assembly of the Republic of Namibia where they discussed the situation of the Gaza Strip after the Israeli war and the urgent needs of the Gaza Strip people as well as ways and means for the reconstruction of the destroyed Gaza Strip.   

The Senior Partner met Quartet Representative Mr.  RT HON Tony Blair 

On March 1^st 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met Mr. Tony Blair, the Quartet Representative, where they discussed the political and economical angles.  Mr. Blair showed expressed his greatest sympathies and understanding to the needs of Gaza and the Palestinian people and promised to do his utmost to address these issues through the Quartet and others to resolve as much of the problems that have been raised.

 The Senior Partner met EU Foreign Policy Chief Dr. Javier Solana

On February 27^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem received Mr. Solana at the site of the flattened American International School in Gaza where he briefed him about the school and the general situation in Gaza after which they agreed to meet again later in the day after Mr. Solana's tour  of the rest of the northern and eastern parts of Gaza City.

During the second meeting a thorough discussion in regards to the situation in Gaza from both a political and economical view point took place. At the end Mr. Solana announced that the EU is going to pledge € 436,000,000 for the reconstruction of Gaza during the Sharm El Sheikh  summit which is to take place on March 2^nd 2009

 The Senior Partner met the European Parliament Delegations

On February 26^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met European delegates as listed below in which he briefed them about the situation in Gaza in the aftermath of the last Israeli war and answered questions that where put forward.  Afterwards, Mr. Al Zaeem accompanied the delegation in a tour to see the destruction around the Gaza Strip.   The last station of their tour was the flattened American International School in Gaza.

The Senior Partner met the International Labour organization members

 During the visit of the ILO members to Gaza on Thursday February 26^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met Ms. Nada Al Nashef, the regional director of the regional office for Arab States as well as Mr. Joseph Connolly the Senior Socio Economic Recovery Expert in the West bank and Gaza Strip, in our office where they had a discussion in regard to the Palestinian situation particularly in regards to the work force and the mechanism to improve the labor force situation including ways and means for effective job creation programs being implemented in the Gaza Strip.

 The Senior Partner met Mr. Hugo Swire, M.P.

 On February 24^th 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met Mr. Hugo Swire the conservative Member of Parliament for East Devon and the Chairman of the Middle East Council along with the rest of the conservative Middle East Council delegation where he accompanied them in a tour around Gaza and stopped at the flattened American International School in Gaza.

 The Senior Partner met Mr. Kevin M. Cahill

On February 22^nd 2009 , Mr. Al Zaeem met Dr. Kevin M. Cahill, the Chief Adviser for Humanitarian Affairs of the office of the President of the sixty third session of the General Assembly in the United Nations, where they discussed the current situation in the Gaza Strip due to the Israeli war,  the needs  for quick humanitarian aid, as well as ways and means for the reconstruction of the destroyed Gaza Strip.  After the meeting,  Mr. Al Zaeem accompanied Dr. Cahill on a tour around Gaza and they stopped at the American School where Mr. Al Zaeem is serving as the legal advisor and a board member.

 The Senior Partner met Mr. Rush Holt

On February 22^nd 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met with Congressman Rush Holt at the flattened American School due to the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip where he briefed the Congressman about the school, its installation and the message that the school was carrying and they discussed ways and means such destroyed facilities could be rebuilt.

The Senior Partner Met Senator John Kerry

Senator John Kerry, the chairman of the senate foreign relations committee, visited the region.   One of his stations was the Gaza Strip on February 19th 2009.   Mr.  Kerry  toured the American School in Gaza, which was destroyed by the Israeli attacks during January.  During his tour in the school, Mr. Sharhabeel AL Zaeem met with him for ten minutes as the legal advisor and Board member of the School, then Mr. Kerry asked for a longer meeting with Mr. Al Zaeem in which they  had in depth political discussions in regards to the situation in Gaza as well as the possible ways to improve it  for the good of the people there. He asked Mr. Al Zaeem to convey a verbal message to the leaders of Hamas.  Mr. Al Zaeem conveyed the message, and is waiting for the response in order to convey it back to Senator Kerry.   

We believe such an important visit carries a lot of weight for the future role of the United States in the area as well as its meaningful messages to all stakeholders.

Below please find some links to the media reports in this regard. 

http://www.nj.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/international-47/1235050191102330.xml&storylist=topstories&thispage=2 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090219/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_us_gaza

 http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/world/11039950.asp?scr=1

 http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=1306674 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29278891/displaymode/1176/rstry/29280544/ 

http://panet.co.il/online/articles/1/5/S-179546,1,5.html

 http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gOF0n_LTErkVvM4jse6ELJUOEMig

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/19/mideast/19mideastcnd-kerry.php 

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/02/john-kerry-keith-ellison-visit-gaza-to.html 

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100862303

http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=1306674 

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/20/world/middleeast/20mideast.html?ref=world 

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=2&language=en-US&family=editorial&p=gaza&assetType=image&ebd=2009-02-14&src=quick#

The Senior Partner Met the Secretary General of the United Nations

 After the end of the war, Mr. Ban Ki Mon, the UN Secretary General visited the region to assess the damages following the Israeli attacks on Gaza where he met some community leaders to discuss the after war situation in the Gaza Strip.  Mr. Sharhabeel Al Zaeem, the Senior Partner of our law firm, met Mr. Ban Ki Mon, on January 20^th 2009 and briefed him on the current after war situation, where specific suggestions were made to assist the Gaza Strip to overcome the crisis

 The Senior Partner Met the Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

 Mr. Al Zaeem met Mr. John Holmes, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator during his visit to the Gaza Strip after the war in January 22^nd 2009 where they discussed the humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, Mr. Al Zaeem urged the Under Secretary to do his utmost to open all boarder crossings with Gaza, as well as the possibility of assisting the Private Sector in Gaza so that people can get back to work rather than being listed in the hardship cases lists. 

The Senior Partner Met the EU representatives and the EC Delegation 

 On January 22^nd 2009, Mr. Al Zaeem met the EU representative Mr. Christian Berger and the EC delegation whereby he asked the European to help Gaza.  He reminded the Delegation of the urgent need of having an independent fact finding mission to look in to the war crimes that have been committed by the Israeli army during the war on Gaza Strip.

Al Zaeem & Associates is proud to announce that a legal services agreement has been signed with Bank of Palestine Ltd in August 1^st 2008.

Al Zaeem & Associates was the legal consultants' office who handled the agreement which has been signed between International Finance Corporation and Bank of Palestine Ltd.  We negotiated the whole transaction from the different angles assisting the bank executive management to take the proper decisions as well as drafting and reviewing the various transaction documents, presenting them to the board of directors of the bank for final approval.  It should be mentioned that we had to negotiate the Palestinian Monitory Authority for the approval of having IFC as strategic partner with 5% of the bank share Capital.

 Our translation department translated the English signed agreements to be implemented to the different management levels of the bank.

We are pleased and proud to announce the launch of the new Legal Translation Department within our office which has been established to provide our current and potential clients with a first-class Arabic/English and English/Arabic translation service with competitive rates. We firmly believe that quality assurance in translation, particularly legal translation, is as important as retaining the best legal services. Our Legal Translation Department will bring years of legal translation experience to the service of its clients

Our new department is staffed, under the supervision of Mr. Sharhabeel Al Zaeem the founder and the Senior Partner of our law firm, by expert translators, Para legalists and well-versed personnel. 

We deliver accurate, well-crafted translations reflecting in-depth knowledge of The Palestinian and International Laws. We regularly provide translation services at the request of various agencies and organizations, both public and private.  Our clients appreciate knowing their translations will be handled in the same professional, efficient. For the same reasons, our translation service is the first choice of many leading corporations, as well as ministries and commissions of the Palestinian Authority

To ensure accurate legal translation, we check, and check again, every step of the way. We use certified professional translators and interpreters with the specialized expertise you or  your clients demand, priced competitively to save your money.

We are extremely sensitive to the need for timely assistance, and offers RUSH and EXPEDITED SERVICE for an additional fee.

We are pleased to announce that Al Zaeem & Associates has been chosen as Leaders in their Field in Palestine as a leading law firm by Chambers Global in their most innovative and respected guide to the global legal profession.  The Chambers Guides list the top lawyers in 175 countries, providing independent rankings and editorial commentary.  For more information about Chambers Global, you can visit their website at http://www.chambersandpartners.com/

 It is our pleasure to announce that Mr. Sharhabeel Al Zaeem, the Senior Partner of Al Zaeem & Associates has successfully received a master degree in "Regional Studies" from Al Quds Abu Deis University. Mr. Al Zaeem defended his thesis "the effect of  the American Aids to the Palestinian Judiciary since Oslo till 2006" on November 27^th 2007

Sharhabeel Al Zaeem & Associates is honored to announce that the following highly reputable companies have joined our long list of clients by signing new agreements with our law firm so that the firm will act as their attorneys and legal consultants of:

1.      Egyptian Arab Land Bank

2.      Bank of Jordan

3.      Palestine Insurance Company

4.      PALTEL (The Palestinian Telecommunication Company)

5.      Cairo Amman Bank

6.      Al Darweesh Investment Companies

We welcome the new clients and promise to do our utmost to keep our level of professionalism and client services methods.  

Mr. Al Zaeem has been appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of Palestinian Electricity Public Shareholding Company (PEC Public) as a representative of Morganti Development LLC as from 8th of March 2005.

Mr. Al Zaeem has been appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of The Palestinian Telecommunication Company PALTEL as a representative of Palestine Industrial Estate Development Co. (PIEDCO) in which he is a member of the board of Directors  

Mr. Al Zaeem has been granted an award from the Islamic University in Gaza for  his efforts teaching Commercial Law for the students as well as receiving a certificate of Gratitude  and appraisal for volunteering in lecturing part of  the ACPA 

Mr. Al Zaeem has been appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of Palestinian Electricity Public Shareholding Company (PEC Public) as a representative of Morganti Development LLC as from 8th of March 2005.

Mr. Al Zaeem has been appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of The Palestinian Telecommunication Company PALTEL as a representative of Palestine Industrial Estate Development Co. (PIEDCO) in which he is a member of the board of Directors  

Mr. Al Zaeem has been granted an award from the Islamic University in Gaza for  his efforts teaching Commercial Law for the students as well as receiving a certificate of Gratitude  and appraisal for volunteering in lecturing part of  the ACPA