Ambassador
James B. Cunningham

Biography

Speeches

Remarks by James B. Cunningham U.S. Ambassador to Israel at Iftar Dinner Thursday, Sep 25, 2008

Honored guests - good evening and Ramadan Kareem.

Judge Natour, Member of Knesset Rabbi Melchior, Member of Knesset Dr. Hanna Swaid, Archbishop Elias, ladies and gentlemen.

My wife Leslie and I are delighted to have you with us tonight to share the Iftar meal during this blessed month of Ramadan. We are particularly pleased that this is one of the first events that we are hosting in Israel because the Iftar meal brings together people of different faiths in a common spirit. That is something Americans value highly.

Across America, as here in this region, Muslim families gather each night of Ramadan to celebrate their devotion to Islam. Ramadan is a time for fasting, prayer, and caring for those who are less fortunate. It is a time for reflection. People of all faiths can appreciate the spirit of Ramadan, which is one of love for family, devotion to community, and giving thanks for our blessings.

This is the month when the Holy Qu'ran was revealed to the
Prophet Mohammed. After a month of fasting, reflection and atonement, the feast of Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan marks a time of celebration and rejoicing like Easter in Christianity and Sukkot in Judaism.

We are here to break the day’s fast together, to share a meal in the spirit of unity and understanding between faiths, and to seize this opportunity to forge new friendships and to strengthen existing ones.

The US Ambassador to Israel represents the American Government to all sectors and communities of Israel.
I expect that during my time here, I will get to know many of you and to visit your communities. Tonight’s gathering of Jews, Muslims, Christians and Druze represents hope, the hope that people of good will, representing diverse religions and cultures, can celebrate together and, ultimately, live together in harmony. We need to work together to promote the messages of understanding and tolerance essential to the better future we all seek.
I also want to continue the important work we are doing to support the Arab community in Israel through educational, economic and cultural programs. In particular I am proud to mention a very successful English teaching initiative – the Access Micro-scholarship – we began 3 years ago.

This program provides supplemental English Language training to over 1500 Arab high school students from all over the country. It helps them improve their English Language skills and to gain access to higher education and brighter social and economic futures.

My government is committed to achieving the ultimate goal of peace in this region, and this will not change. And we will continue our efforts to maintain an open channel of communication between Jews and Arabs in Israel and throughout the region.

Thank you again for honoring us with your presence this evening. In this spirit of unity and dedication to achieving mutual understanding, I invite you to join me in breaking the fast and celebrating the hopes and dreams that are common to us all.

I wish you all Ramadan Kareem.