Abraham Ungar
Abraham Ungar | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 12, 1946 Israel |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, businessman |
| Known for | Founder of Ray Car Ltd., major figure in shipping and real estate |
Abraham Ungar (Hebrew: רמי אונגר; born 12 October 1946) is a prominent entrepreneur from Israel.
Biography
Ungar earned his law degree from Tel Aviv University in 1971. The following year, he established Ray Car Ltd. He is married to Yael, who actively engages in his business ventures. The couple resides in Kfar Shmaryahu, located in central Israel, and they have two sons.
Business career
Ungar's professional journey began in the late 1960s with the importation of air conditioning units designed for trailers and caravans. He was the pioneer Israeli importer of Autobianchi automobiles and subsequently broadened his portfolio to include Lancia vehicles. During the early 1980s, Ungar collaborated with Ezer Weizman, concentrating on automobile imports, maritime shipping, and real estate development. He obtained import licenses for brands such as Daihatsu and Kia. By 2010, Ray Shipping, his company, operated a fleet exceeding 60 ships dedicated to transporting automobiles.
Recognized as a leader in shipping and construction, Ungar was listed by Haaretz in 2019 among the top 20 wealthiest individuals in Israel. In 2022, Forbes Israel valued his fortune at approximately USD 3.25 billion.
Ungar holds partial ownership of the car carrier Galaxy Leader, which was seized by Houthi forces in the Red Sea on November 19, 2023, during the course of the 2023 Israel-Hamas war.
He engaged in legal battles over the rights to import Kia vehicles and ultimately secured these rights in the 1990s after contesting with former importer Michael Levi.
His real estate holdings extend throughout Israel, Eastern Europe, and the United States. Additionally, he co-established the "Fire" real estate fund, which is overseen by Shlomo Grofman.
Views and opinions
Politically, Ungar has been associated with the Gil (Pensioners of Israel) party and has cultivated relationships with influential political leaders. In 1984, he played a founding role in the creation of the Yahad (Together) party alongside Ezer Weizman, Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, and Shlomo Amar, serving as its treasurer while providing substantial financial backing.
Awards and honors
In 2014, Ungar was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy in Bulgaria. He is also a benefactor of this institution, which counts many alumni among employees within his enterprises.