Speeches

Statements by Senior

Embassy Officials

Thank you for the invitation to address this gala event celebrating the UJA Federation of New York’s 90th Anniversary and visit to Israel.  You are a large and enthusiastic delegation -- certainly a tribute to the strength of your commitment to the State of Israel.  The UJA Federation of New York is an important partner in building, deepening and maintaining the close relationship between the United States and Israel.  Both societies are enriched by the work of the Federation and other organizations like yours.

I note that this is the “William Rosenwald Mission to Israel.”  William Rosenwald, who passed away in 1995, embodied the principles of public service and abiding concern for the welfare of others.  His life -- characterized by philanthropy, support for education and the arts, and concern for those less privileged -- epitomizes the values we share and the common bonds between Israel and the United States.  

Ten days ago, Israel commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day.  In the mid-1930’s, William Rosenwald led his family’s efforts to rescue Jews from Europe, bringing hundreds to the United States and financially supporting many others who were in desperate circumstances in Europe but were unable to leave.  Later, his efforts were instrumental in bringing thousands of immigrants to Israel and helping to settle them in the new State.  With the establishment of Israel, he raised money to support social and educational programs here, while continuing his philanthropic work in the U.S. to support education, the arts, and many other causes.

The Federation’s activities in the U.S. and Israel on behalf of vulnerable populations, in disaster and trauma relief, in education, and in support for immigrant populations expands the work begun by William Rosenwald and his contemporaries.

With a spirit of volunteerism, philanthropy, and civic participation, you address crucial social issues on the agendas of both the United States and Israel.   I salute you and congratulate you for your tireless efforts to improve the lives of so many, not only in the U.S. and Israel, but in countries around the world, particularly those with populations in distress.

Given the depth of U.S. and Israeli shared interests and values, it is not surprising that so much of the Federation’s work closely complements the American Embassy’s mission here – particularly your work with immigrant communities and minorities.  For example, you support English language enhancement programs for some 3,000 teens from the former Soviet Union.  At the Embassy, we believe that English language proficiency is a major factor in creating greater equality and integration among Israel’s diverse ethnic and religious populations, just as it has long been and still is for immigrant groups in the U.S.  The Embassy administers the Department of State’s Access English language micro-scholarship program, designed to raise the English language level of Arabic-speaking high school students.  The extra lessons enable the students to improve their success rate on the Israeli matriculation (“bagrut”) exam to the level necessary to apply for Israeli university entrance.  With higher education degrees in hand, members of minority groups can get better jobs and ultimately contribute more to Israeli society.

In harmony with this notion of equal access, I am especially pleased to learn that the Federation’s funding reaches all Israelis – native Israelis, Russian and Ethiopian immigrants, and the Arabic-speaking minority.  This sensitivity to the needs of all Israelis, regardless of religion or ethnicity, was exemplified by your emergency drive to assist victims of last summer's conflict with Hizbullah, and in dealing with the war's aftermath and reconstruction.

U.S. society and culture have been immeasurably enhanced by the contribution of immigrants throughout our history.  Israel likewise enjoys a rich immigrant experience.  The Federation’s work with Ethiopian youth in Rehovot complements the Embassy’s programs with the Ethiopian immigrant community in Israel.  We work closely with Non-Governmental Organizations representing the interests of this community, providing examples and models from the American immigrant experience.  I was privileged a couple of months ago to host an evening in honor of the Ethiopian-Jewish Heritage Center at my residence.  Such programs are opportunities to reaffirm the importance of immigrant communities in building and enriching our democratic societies.

Our interests also converge in the medical field.  With Department of State funding, emergency medical teams of American, Israeli, Palestinian, and Jordanian colleagues are cooperating to improve life-saving services for all.  Israeli, Palestinian, and U.S. medical professionals are also developing better methods for solving the insidious problem of domestic violence.

The U.S. and Israel must educate youth for a changing global context.  Your many programs work toward this goal, and we too are cooperating with Israeli NGOs and Ministry of Education specialists to address democratic values, civic education, and respect for "the other" in the school curriculum.

To extend and expand the discussion of shared values and experiences, the U.S. Embassy has established American Corners -- micro libraries with internet computers and DVC equipment that enable us to link Israelis directly with speakers in the United States -- in Beer Sheva, Karmiel, and at the Jewish-Arab Community Center in Yaffo.  The locations of these Corners are strategic and demonstrate our recognition of the vital need to strengthen bonds with immigrant and minority populations in Israel.

In the field of equal opportunity, the U.S. has worked to ensure that the workplace is open to all – women, minorities, immigrants, and the disabled.  To share this experience, we are cooperating with organizations such as the Israel Women’s Network, the Knesset, and the Government itself to bring U.S. representatives of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to consult with Israeli counterparts who are establishing a similar body in Israel.

President Bush has commented on our common bond, noting that: “We were both founded by immigrants escaping religious persecution in other lands.  We have both built vibrant democracies.  Both our countries are founded on certain basic beliefs, that there is an Almighty G-d who watches over the affairs of men and values every life.  These ties have made us natural allies, and these ties will never be broken.”

The U.S.-Israel relationship is based on common moral, religious, and cultural values.  Our cooperation extends to almost every aspect of government activity, from national security to social policy, from strategic cooperation to joint medical and scientific projects.

We remain, as always, deeply committed to Israel’s security and well-being.  Just last week, Secretary of Robert Defense Gates visited Israel as the guest of Minister of Defense Amir Peretz to discuss the wide range of military and strategic cooperation between our countries.

And of course we share a deep commitment to ensuring that our children and grandchildren live in peace and security.  Our highest priority, therefore, is to advance the U.S. Administration’s efforts to pursue peace in the region.  In the last two years, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has made ten trips to Israel.  Most were in pursuit of President Bush’s vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.  In these efforts, Secretary Rice is working closely with Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas.  She is also consulting with our Quartet partners.  Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas are now holding regular, fortnightly meetings.

The Administration is working to develop a regional context for peace involving moderate Arab states.  All these efforts support the Unites States’ belief that a negotiated and permanent peace is in the best interests of both Israelis and Palestinians.

At the conclusion of her visit here last month, Secretary Rice described the new challenges posed by the Palestinian unity government and the many areas that remain to be addressed by the parties. 

I would like to end my remarks by quoting her concluding statements on that occasion:  “…all those nations that seek a negotiated solution can help make it possible…  We all need to tackle the work of peace with urgency.  It is a complex undertaking, and it will take time and effort.  But the administration is committed to this challenge.  We want to see the creation of a Palestinian state.  We want to see lasting security for Israel.  And we will help the parties prepare for successful negotiations that can end the Israel-Palestinian conflict, once and for all.”

With that hope and that vision, shared by all of us, I thank the UJA Federation of New York for your continued endeavors to build and sustain the close ties between the U.S. and Israel.

Thank you.