U.S. Department of State

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry delivers remarks to the press in Tel Aviv, Israel on April 9, 2013. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2013/04/207203.htm

Building Bridges Through Basketball: Peace in Israel’s Younger Generation

Israeli teens travel to the United States to engage with their American counterparts through sports diplomacy.

About the Author: Lee Satterfield is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cultural and Professional Exchanges in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

Just days before President Barack Obama set off for his historic trip to Israel and the Palestinian Territories, 16 Jewish and Arab-Israeli teens traveled to the United States to engage their American counterparts and highlight the strong relationship between the U.S. and Israeli people. Using the sport of basketball, these young people have focused their efforts on peace-building and cooperation — two themes central to President Obama’s visit.

Engaging young people is a strategic priority for the United States. After all, today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. And, sports are a vehicle in which we can engage young people from around the world on the court, in the classroom, and in their communities.

During this international exchange, these young Israelis —… more »

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before their working dinner in Jerusalem on March 23, 2013. [State Department Photo/Public Domain]

President Obama’s Middle East Trip

U.S. President Barack Obama waves as he arrives at the Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, March 20, 2013. [AP Photo]

This week, President Barack Obama is making the first trip of his second term; he will visit Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan March 20-23, 2013. The White House will beposting updates from the road and livestreaming several of the President’s events on whitehouse.gov/live, including:

Wednesday, March 20 (2:05 PM ET) — President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu hold a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem;

Thursday March 21 (11:00 AM ET) — President Obama delivers a speech at the Jerusalem Convention Center; and

Friday March 22 (11:45 AM ET) — President Obama and King Abdullah II of Jordan hold a press conference in… more »

Photo of the Week: Celebrating Hanukkah Around the World

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro lights the menorah in Dizengoff Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, December 12, 2012. [State Department photo by Matty Stern/ Public Domain]

About the Author: Sarah Goldfarb serves as DipNote’s Associate Editor.

Our “Photo of the Week” comes to us from Matty Stern, the photographer at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, and shows U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro lighting the menorah on the fifth night of Hanukkah in Dizengoff Square on December 12, 2012.

In Washington, President Obama and the First Lady celebrated Hanukkah with a reception at the White House on the sixth night of Hanukkah on December 13. This year, Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, began on Saturday, December 8 and concludes on Sunday, December 16.

In a statement, the President said, “Michelle and I send our warmest wishes to all those celebrating Hanukkah around the world.

“This Hanukkah season we remember the powerful story of the Maccabees who rose up to liberate… more »

Recent Israeli Announcements on Settlements

Press Statement
Mark C. Toner
Deputy Spokesperson
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
December 3, 2012

The United States opposes all unilateral actions, including West Bank settlement activity and housing construction in East Jerusalem, as they complicate efforts to resume direct, bilateral negotiations, and risk prejudging the outcome of those negotiations. This includes building in the E-1 area as this area is particularly sensitive and construction there would be especially damaging to efforts to achieve a two-state solution. ‪ ‪

We have made clear to the Israeli Government that such action is contrary to U.S. policy. The United States and the international community expect all parties to play a constructive role in efforts to achieve peace. ‪We urge the parties to cease unilateral actions and take concrete steps to return to direct negotiations so all the issues can be discussed and the goal of two states living side by side in peace and security can be realized.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy 2012 Saban Forum Opening Gala Dinner in Washington, D.C., November 30, 2012. [Go to http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/11/201343.htm for a text transcript.]

Readout of the President’s Call to Prime Minister Netanyahu

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
November 21, 2012

President Obama spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu today and reiterated his commitment to Israel’s security.

The President made clear that no country can be expected to tolerate rocket attacks against civilians.

The President expressed his appreciation for the Prime Minister’s efforts to work with the new Egyptian government to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and a more durable solution to this problem.

The President commended the Prime Minister for agreeing to the Egyptian ceasefire proposal – which the President recommended the Prime Minster do – while reiterating that Israel maintains the right to defend itself.

The President said that the United States would use the opportunity offered by a ceasefire to intensify efforts to help Israel address its security needs, especially the issue of the smuggling of weapons and explosives into Gaza.

The President said that he was committed to seeking additional funding for Iron Dome and other US-Israel missile defense programs.

Today’s Bus Bombing in Tel Aviv

Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
November 21, 2012

The United States strongly condemns this terrorist attack and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the people of Israel.

As I arrive in Cairo, I am closely monitoring reports from Tel Aviv, and we will stay in close contact with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s team. The United States stands ready to provide any assistance that Israel requires.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York, New York on September 27, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]