On August 28, American Consul General in Jerusalem Michael A. Ratney visited Samaria to meet with local officials, business leaders, and other partners of the American Consulate General in Jerusalem. Consul General Ratney met with the Mayor of Ariel and the Head of the Samaria Council as well as the Executive Officers of Kedumin and Karnei Shomron Local Councils and other local officials where he commended their work, along with that of Yesha Council Chairperson Dani Dayan to provide economic development and security in the region.
Consul General Ratney also visited Ariel University and meeting with American citizens among the student population and also local Arab residents who are taking advantage of the educational opportunities at the university. He emphasized the importance of the American Corner in helping students learn about American culture and politics and in fostering mutual understanding.
Later, Consul General Ratney met with well-known Jewish figure Benny Katzover and the two discussed both local and national issues.
Consul General Ratney then held a roundtable with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce. Here, he praised local business leaders for their important work in building economic institutions and heard their ideas on how the American Consulate General in Jerusalem can continue to support economic development in Samaria. He also toured the Barkan Industrial Park and met with representatives of the plants and factories there as well as wine-producing vineyards, including the many dozens of Christian volunteers from the United States and other countries assisting Jewish farmers.
To emphasize the importance the U.S. places on Jewish youth, Consul General Ratney also visited the Lehava Ulpana Development Center, where USAID supports a wide array of youth programming.
Lastly, to get a taste for the culture and sights of Samaria, Consul General Ratney visited Joseph's Tomb on the outskirts of Shechem.
Overall, this visit is part of the American Consulate General in Jerusalem’s ongoing engagement with not only the Arab residents of the area but the Jewish residents as well, and institutions throughout Judea, Samaria, Gaza, and Jerusalem where the Consul General is able to highlight American policies and projects in addition to hearing directly from Jews and Arabs.
News as actually and really was:
On August 28, American Consul General in Jerusalem Michael A. Ratney visited Nablus to meet with local officials, business leaders, and other partners of the American Consulate General in Jerusalem. Consul General Ratney met with the Governor of Nablus, Jibreen Al-Bakri, and other local officials where he commended their work, along with that of President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad, to provide economic development and security in Nablus.
Consul General Ratney also visited An-Najah University, meeting with President Dr. Rami Hamdallah and touring the American Corner there. He emphasized the importance of the American Corner in helping students learn about American culture and politics and in fostering mutual understanding.
Later, Consul General Ratney met with well-known Palestinian figure Munib al-Masri, where the two discussed both local and national Palestinian issues.
Consul General Ratney then held a roundtable with representatives of the Chamber of Commerce. Here, he praised local business leaders for their important work in building economic institutions and heard their ideas on how the American Consulate General in Jerusalem can continue to support economic development in Nablus. He also met with representatives of the furniture industry.
To emphasize the importance the U.S. places on Palestinian youth, Consul General Ratney also visited the Nablus Youth Resource Development Center, where USAID supports a wide array of youth programming. Lastly, to get a taste for the culture and sights of Nablus, Consul General Ratney visited the Al Aqr sweet shop in the Old City and Jacob’s Well.
Overall, this visit is part of the American Consulate General in Jerusalem’s ongoing engagement with the Palestinian people and institutions throughout the West Bank, Gaza, and Jerusalem where the Consul General is able to highlight American policies and projects in addition to hearing directly from Palestinians.
One can hope, no?
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