ALEF pushes Lebanon peace and reform agenda at New York event

By AI, Created 10:25 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – The American Lebanon Education Foundation launched its first “Gathering for a New Lebanon” in Manhattan on April 14, bringing together more than 100 leaders and advocates around a push for peace with Israel, major reforms and foreign investment. The event came as U.S.-brokered talks in Washington marked the first direct diplomatic meeting between Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors in decades.

Why it matters: - ALEF used its first policy and advocacy event to make a public case for a free, sovereign and prosperous Lebanon. - Speakers linked Lebanon’s future to peace with Israel, political and economic reform, and new foreign investment. - The event aligned with renewed U.S.-brokered diplomacy involving Lebanon and Israel, adding urgency to the message.

What happened: - The American Lebanon Education Foundation held “Gathering for a New Lebanon” on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Yara Restaurant in Midtown Manhattan. - More than 100 leaders, business executives, activists, policymakers and allies attended the invitation-only dinner and program. - The evening included a 6:00 PM reception and an 8:00 PM dinner and program. - Ziad K. Abdelnour, ALEF founder and chairman, said ALEF is an activist organization, not a social club. - Abdelnour set out three non-negotiable goals: peace with Israel, sweeping reforms to remove corrupt leadership, and billions in foreign investment after peace and reforms. - Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman voiced support for a free Lebanon and pledged to open a trade and cultural center in Beirut if elected governor. - Blakeman also asked attendees for support in his New York State campaign. - Amir Fakhravar, Senate chairman of the National Iranian Congress, gave personal testimony about imprisonment and torture by the Iranian regime. - Fakhravar compared Lebanon’s challenges with Japan’s post-war constitutional reforms and called for new constitutions in Lebanon, Iran and Syria modeled on American principles.

The details: - Bob Straniere, counsel to ALEF, said a free Lebanon would give 4 million Lebanese citizens the chance to help build a stronger country and strengthen ties with the United States. - Abdelnour said peace with Israel is the essential first step and argued that investment will not come before peace and reform. - Blakeman said he and President Trump had the power in the room to support a free and prosperous Lebanon. - Blakeman said one of his first acts as governor would be to open a trade and cultural center in Beirut. - Fakhravar said Hezbollah should leave Lebanon. - Fakhravar said the region should follow the path of post-war Japan and use the U.S. Constitution as a model. - ALEF said event photos, video highlights and full speaker quotes are available on request. - ALEF describes itself as a global initiative of professionals, activists and leaders advocating political, economic and security reforms and engaging international policymakers on Lebanon’s sovereignty. - ALEF provided media contact information at contact@usalef.org and +1 (212) 970-ALEF (2533). - ALEF’s website is More information. - ALEF also listed social media links on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X.

Between the lines: - The event framed Lebanon’s crisis as solvable through external alignment, internal reform and stronger ties with Washington. - By pairing Lebanese policy demands with comments from a New York political figure, ALEF tried to build a cross-border coalition around its message. - The Washington talks gave the gathering a timely backdrop and helped cast the event as part of a broader diplomatic opening.

What’s next: - ALEF said interviews with Ziad K. Abdelnour or other speakers can be arranged. - The group signaled continued advocacy for U.S.-Lebanon partnership and concrete steps toward Lebanese sovereignty. - Blakeman’s support for a Beirut trade and cultural center would depend on his election as governor.

The bottom line: - ALEF is positioning peace with Israel and major reform as prerequisites for Lebanon’s recovery, not separate goals.