A young Chassidic real estate developer from Brooklyn is reportedly in advanced negotiations to acquire Israeli airline Arkia, in what could become one of the most significant business deals involving an American chareidi investor in recent years. Sources close to the negotiations say the driving force behind the proposed acquisition is a desire to end the airline’s commercial operations on Shabbos.

The prospective buyer is Mr. Ezra Unger, a 36-year-old real estate entrepreneur from Brooklyn’s Borough Park neighborhood. News of the negotiations first circulated in American chareidi business circles before becoming a major topic of discussion throughout the chassidic community due to Unger’s prominent family background and remarkable personal story.

A member of the Vizhnitz-Kiamesha and Bobov-45 communities, Unger was raised in Monsey, where he studied in Vizhnitzer yeshivos. After his marriage to the daughter of Rabbi Chaim Yaakov Frankel of Rimanov, son-in-law of the Komarna Rebbe of Yerushalayim, the young couple initially settled in Yerushalayim.

Those who know Unger describe his rise in business as extraordinary. While learning in kollel as a young avreich, he struggled financially and sought ways to support his family. He began by selling baked goods to fellow avreichim in kollel, a modest venture that eventually revealed his natural talent for business.

He later entered the real estate brokerage field, where he attracted the confidence of early investors who backed his vision. From there, he expanded into New York’s highly competitive real estate market, rapidly building a successful business empire that now reportedly generates millions of dollars in transactions each month.

Now, Unger’s name has surfaced in connection with the potential acquisition of Arkia, one of Israel’s largest airlines. According to a relative, the motivation behind the multimillion-dollar investment extends far beyond business considerations.

“R’ Ezra simply could not continue watching the current situation,” the relative said. “He was deeply pained by the widespread חילול שבת taking place in Israel’s airline industry, especially in full view of the pure children of Israel. His desire to create a completely kosher alternative is what pushed him to undertake this massive project.”

If the purchase is completed, Arkia would become what supporters describe as the world’s second-largest chareidi-owned airline, behind Challenge Airlines, which is owned by Belgian businessman Reb Yitzchok Ploch.

Many details surrounding the negotiations—including the purchase price, the company’s valuation, and the conditions under which the airline would operate with full Shabbos observance—remain confidential as discussions continue.

Arkia declined to comment on reports of the potential sale.

{Matzav.com}