2009 Statements
Independence Day Remarks
July 02, 2009
Jerusalem
Good evening everyone. Thank you all for joining us as we celebrate the founding of the United States and the 233nd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Once again, I am pleased to see so many friends who have joined us this evening.
Let me begin with some thank yous. First, I want to extend a special welcome to the Woodwind Quintet of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe, which traveled here from Naples to join us for this evening’s celebrations. In the last two years the U.S. Air Force provided musical entertainment, and I am very happy that tonight we can welcome the U.S. Navy aboard. Please join me in a round of applause for them.
Second, I would like to thank the many members of staff of the Consulate who worked so hard over many months to organize this event, and also our Marine Security Guards, who presented the colors tonight with their usual precision.
And third, let me also extend a big thank you to our many generous sponsors, without whose support we could not have enjoyed such a lovely party. You’ll see around the garden signs acknowledging their support. I would like to thank each of them individually, but we could be here very late if I did that, so I will mention only the three largest: BCI Communications headed by Said Baransi, the Sinokrot Global Group of Mazen Sinokrot, and the Anabtawi Group led by Ziad Anabtawi. Please give all our sponsors a big hand.
Tonight we celebrate the independence of the United States, and the values that we hold dear as Americans. As I have done in previous years, I would like to begin by reading the words written in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence that define us as a nation:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
Throughout our history as a nation, these ideas have been our guiding principles. Our history has not been easy, and our nation and our commitment to these ideals have been tested many times. In the early days of our Republic, the founding fathers – George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and the others -- struggled to gain our independence and then to establish a nation out of thirteen diverse and very independent-minded states. During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln struggled to hold that nation together and defeat the tyranny of slavery. In the middle of the last century, our country overcame challenges of economic depression and global war under the leadership of Franklin Roosevelt.
In previous years at this event, I have spoken mostly about these men and the history of the United States. This year is my last as Consul General here, so I would like to talk tonight about something different, something closer to home in Jerusalem: peace in the Middle East. I’d like to begin by referring to the speech that President Obama gave in Cairo last month. He spoke there about a different future for the region. He said:
…human history has often been a record of nations and tribes – and yes, religions – subjugating one another in pursuit of their own interests. Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners to it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; our progress must be shared.
I have had the honor to serve my country for the past four years as Consul General here in Jerusalem. Before that, as many of you know, I have spent almost 20 years working on different aspects of Middle East peace. I can’t say that this has been easy, and I can’t say that we are on the verge of peace. But I remain confident. Despite the setbacks, I remain confident that there can be peace here, and that Israelis and Palestinians can find a way, with our help, to live side by side in peace, in two independent states. You might ask why I remain confident after all these years. The answer is that my confidence lies in the people that live here, in their perseverance in the face of adversity, and in their determination to enjoy the benefits of freedom here, as we do in the United States. Freedom is what motivated America’s founding fathers 233 years ago to establish an independent state. As Americans, we believe that the same blessing of freedom should be available to all. Israelis already enjoy this freedom in an independent state. Palestinians should as well.
As President Obama said in Cairo: The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each can live in peace and security.
And he went on:
Too many tears have been shed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy land of the three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims. President Obama set forth an ambitious goal in Cairo, but his words are not empty phrases; they will be followed by action. He is determined to advance the cause of peace here. A resumption of negotiations and their successful conclusion at the earliest possible time -- including the establishment of a Palestinian state -- remains a high priority and a matter of national interest for the United States. I can assure you that President Obama, Secretary Clinton, Senator Mitchell and the entire team will spare no effort to reach this goal. Here in Jerusalem, the staff of the Consulate that I have led these past four years will continue their work to advance the cause of peace and to support President Obama’s efforts.
We live in a complex world with many problems, but I firmly believe that we can meet the challenges before us, and that we can create a better future for Palestinians and Israelis. This land has been scarred too long by violence, by walls and barriers, and by hatred. If I could leave you with one thought as I depart, it is this: the time has come for the people here to bring an end to this conflict and to learn to live together in peace, with security and with respect. As Americans, we remain committed to this goal, guided by the universal values that Jefferson described in 1776 and by the hope for peace that we all share.
So in closing, let me thank you once again for joining us tonight. And let me also thank each and every one of you for your friendship and your support during the past four years that I have served here as the U.S. Consul General. As you know, Jerusalem is not an easy place, but it was your friendship that helped me whenever we faced adversity during the past four years. I will miss you all and hope you will extend to my successor the same courtesy and support and friendship that you gave to me. Best wishes to all of you; a very happy 4th of July; and thank you very, very much.