Speeches

Statements by Senior

Embassy Officials

Remarks for Ambassador Richard H. Jones
USIEF Fulbright Orientation
Beit Maiersdorf, Hebrew University, Jerusalem
Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Good morning and welcome.  As US Ambassador to Israel, and as Honorary Chairman of the Board of the United States-Israel Educational Foundation, it is a pleasure for me to open this Fulbright orientation day and welcome you to Israel.   Bruchim haba’im l’kulam!

The objective of the Fulbright program, as defined by Congress in 1946, is to promote mutual understanding through educational and cultural exchanges.   Senator Fulbright’s initiative in establishing the program which bears his name grew out of his belief that the understanding of another people, which comes from a deep, direct immersion in their society, is a key factor in the formation of constructive and mutually beneficial ties.  These ties are crucial to the welfare of all peoples, especially now as the process of globalization intensifies and the world grows closer together.

I can say without equivocation that your time studying in Israel will be one of the most interesting periods in your life.   This is truly one of, if not the most, fascinating regions in all the world.  There is never a dull moment here, and events unfold quickly, often assuming national and international importance virtually instantaneously. 

You are now part of a community of some 2,500 American and Israeli scholars who have participated in the Fulbright program since its inception.  Secretary Rice has said that “every American studying abroad is an ambassador for our nation, an individual who represents the true nature of our people and the principles of freedom and democracy for which we stand.”  Although you may all be American ambassadors to Israel, it does not mean that you can have my job!  Anyway, I doubt that you would want it!

Your work, research and studies are what brought you here, and you will undoubtedly devote much of your time to them.  But I encourage you to make an effort to focus not only on your specific subject area, but to immerse yourselves in Israeli culture.  Take Senator Fulbright’s vision to heart and learn as much as you can about all aspects of Israeli life.  Only by doing what you have chosen to do – spending a significant period of time living, working and studying here – can you gain a true appreciation of this country and its people, and experience the intensity, the passion, the sheer exuberance of life here.  The most enduring insights you will gain about Israeli society will come from your informal interactions with Israelis you meet on the street, and in the markets, cafés, falafel stands and bookstores throughout the country.   

You will unquestionably discover certain cultural differences here.  But these too are part of your education.   Embrace these differences; acknowledge, appreciate and learn from them, as the vast array and diversity of cultures which make up Israeli society will enrich your experience here.  As I said, each of you is, in a sense, an American ambassador to Israel.  And to be an effective ambassador, you need a broad and comprehensive knowledge of your host country’s customs and traditions. 
Part of your responsibility as a Fulbright Fellow is to dispel misunderstandings about the United States that you may encounter.  Even in a society as sophisticated and closely-linked to the US as Israel’s, you will find ideas often shaped and colored by what people have seen in the movies or on TV or the Internet.  Take this opportunity to showcase the best of American values, for just as you will learn from Israelis, so they also have much to learn from you.  Always keep in mind Senator Fulbright’s goal of increasing mutual understanding.

I am delighted to see this large group of Fulbright students here this year joining the Fulbright scholars, and to see the scope and variety of fields you represent.  I urge you to get to know members of the Embassy during your stay here.  I also invite you to take advantage of the Embassy’s services. We offer assistance to U.S. citizens in Israel regarding a wide array of matters that may come up during your stay, such as voter registration, passport renewals, and notarials.  Also, by registering online with our American Citizen Services office, we will be able to more effectively assist you in the event of any crises, and will provide you with updated security guidelines.  I do ask that you bear in mind and act according to the security procedures that you will be hearing about later in the day, as they are designed to help protect you and your families.

While consular services will, in all likelihood, be your most direct contact with the Embassy, the aspect of our work that is most often in the spotlight revolves around the fascinating and dynamic political situation in Israel. 

You have arrived during the most intensive diplomatic activity in years.  Secretary Rice has already traveled to the region five times in 2007, and will return in just a few days. 

We are now moving “full steam ahead” toward the fall international meeting announced by President Bush last July.  There is a strong commitment on the part of Prime Minister Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Abbas to lay the foundation for, and begin serious, constructive work on, the two-state solution sought by both sides.  They met most recently on October 3 and agreed that their drafting teams could begin work on a joint statement for the international meeting.  Those teams met yesterday for the first time.  Personally, I am more optimistic now than at any other point during my tenure here that the two sides will reach an agreement.  Although this will require difficult compromises by all the parties, I think that there is a strong consensus on the need to bring an end to this decades-old conflict.

Both parties are now discussing the “core issues” for the first time since 2000.   The ongoing talks between Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas are underpinning a stronger Israeli/Palestinian relationship than at any time in recent memory.  But perhaps even more important for the long-term stability of this region, the Israeli and Palestinian people want peace; in fact, they yearn for it.  While the leaders may receive most of the headlines and have, to use an American colloquialism, “moved the ball forward” significantly, their power emanates from the people they represent.  And those people have voiced their opinions loud and clear:  they are ready for peace.  Perhaps the best sign of this on the Israeli side is Prime Minister Olmert’s steady progress in opinion polls since his talks with Abbas began.

 
We have reached this point as a direct result of a lot of hard work and some difficult steps taken by Israel, the Palestinians and the international community.  Beginning with President Bush’s declaration in 2002 in support of the two-state solution, continuing through Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s 2003 speech to the Herzliya conference and the adoption of the 2003 Roadmap to Peace establishing the Quartet, much progress has already been made.  Now, with Tony Blair actively engaged as the Quartet representative, all the parties are working diligently to strengthen the framework under which we are operating today.  I hope that I don’t appear too rash if I say that you will likely witness historic events during your time here.

A crucial development of the past several months has been the emergence of a true partner for peace in the form of the current PA government, led by President Abbas and PM Fayyad.   This Palestinian government represents the best chance for a real, lasting peace Israel has had in quite some time.  As PM Olmert said yesterday in his address at the opening of the fall session of the Knesset, we must take advantage of this opportunity and not let it slip through our fingers.

Israelis and Palestinians alike recognize that it is in their interests to juxtapose the benefits of moderation and tolerance under the PA-led government in the West Bank with the barbarism in Hamas-run Gaza.  We have no doubt that given the choice between living under an open, free, democratic state and an authoritarian regime intent on destroying any chance of peace in this region, the Palestinian people will overwhelmingly choose moderation.

In closing, I would like to reiterate that you have indeed arrived at a momentous time.  The Secretary will be here early next week to encourage both sides to move substantially and substantively toward a consensus on core issues ahead of the fall meeting.  Having said that, it is important to remember this is a process.  We are moving step by step; there will be no quick or easy solutions.  However, through the courageous leadership of Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas, as well as Secretary Rice’s close coordination with the Quartet and the regional actors to build international support, we have perhaps the best chance for peace that we have ever had.  The whole world is now focused on this region.  People are tired of empty commitments and unfulfilled promises; they want to see results.  As the Secretary has said on several occasions, “failure is not an option.”

Again, welcome to Israel.  Becoming a Fulbright Fellow is a significant achievement in its own right, but what you do with this opportunity is equally as important.  I truly hope that your time here proves to be as personally rewarding and as fascinating as mine has been, and I wish you all the best of luck.

I’ll be happy to take your questions.