Remarks by Consul General Rubinstein Opening Ceremony of the American Studies Resource Center at An-Najah University, Nablus

July 12, 2010

Nablus

Thank you very much. Good morning. It is a pleasure to be here with all of you today.

First, I would like to thank the President of An-Najah University, Dr. Rami Hamdallah, for such a warm welcome to the University. I would also like to thank Dr. Kheirieh Rassas, Director of International Relations, Dr. Nabil Alawi, from the Department of English, and Ala’ Abudhair, Director of Public Relations, for all of your efforts toward establishing an American Studies Resource Center at An-Najah University. This is an exciting event, and I am honored to be here with you.

And I would like to offer a warm welcome to all of the faculty, administration, and students here today from the university. I understand that many of you are alumni of U.S. Government-funded exchange programs, including those of the Fulbright Program, the Middle East Partnership Initiative, and the International Visitors Leadership Program. I appreciate your efforts to work with us to develop an American Studies program here at An-Najah University.

The American Consulate General in Jerusalem has supported and promoted American Studies at Palestinian universities for several years, and we are pleased by An-Najah University’s interest in this important academic subject. For example, in the past few months, the Consulate General has provided grants to sponsor an academic conference here on your campus last fall, hosted an American expert in American Studies, and purchased books, computers, and other resources for this Center.

This cooperation between the American Consulate General and An-Najah University reflects a genuine friendship that exists between our two organizations. We are proud of our relationship with the University, and hope the establishment of this Center will lead to even stronger ties and provide more opportunities for interaction in the future.

We also hope that, through these shared efforts, American Studies at An-Najah University will have a platform on which to grow and a place in Palestinian higher education that can allow for an increased professional and academic interest in American history, politics, and culture. My colleagues and I at the American Consulate General look forward to working with you in the years to come to achieve this goal.

And during my time here, I have been profoundly impressed by how many Palestinians take an interest in American history and society. Last week, when we celebrated America’s 234th anniversary of independence, we once again reflected together on the hard work and determination required to create a new nation. And President Obama has stated America’s commitment to a two-state solution, which would satisfy the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a free, independent and democratic state living side-by-side in peace and security with Israel. Such a development would benefit not only the Palestinian people, but would bring a welcome, positive and fundamental change to the region as a whole.

Today, as we open the American Studies Resource Center, I invite you to take advantage of the offerings provided here, as well as the many educational, cultural, and exchange programs that the American Consulate General sponsors throughout the year in cooperation with An-Najah University.

I thank you again for hosting us today, and for establishing the American Studies Resource Center at An-Najah University. We are honored to be your partners in this success.