Sunday, December 16, 2012

Jerusalem Consulate Update (What's Missing?)

The Consulate has been involved in these events recently:


1.

On 12 December, 2012 at the Legacy Hotel, Jerusalem Consul General Michael A. Ratney addressed the topic of "American Perspective on 0ver150 Years in Jerusalem" before PASSIA.



2.

Johnny Gorak who is the chef at the Allijasa Hotel visited kitchens and restaurants in America during October, including the White House, through a program called Diplomatic Kitchen within the International Visitor Program funded by the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem. Johnny: "I am fond of eating the Palestinian and share food with others."


3.

Peter Sulski Quartet performed at the Consul General's Residence. Peter Sulski, violin/viola master, first traveled to the Middle East in 2001 as Head of Strings of the National Palestinian Conservatory and blogged about it.


4.

Hanukah Greetings were extended.

5.

To mark Wildlife Conservation Day, American Consul General Michael Ratney joined Palestinian naturalists on December 7 for a hike in Wadi Qelt to observe local flora and fauna in one of the West Bank’s most vibrant natural habitats.  The Consul General was guided by Iyad Aburdeineh, an environmental consultant who has worked with the Water and Environmental Development Organization and Friends of the Earth – Middle East, and Sami Backleh, Regional Coordinator for the Quebec-Labrador Foundation (QLF) / Atlantic Center for the Environment’s Middle East Program and freelance environmental consultant with the Friends of the Earth – Middle East.

6.

Back on November 13, American Consul General Michael Ratney visited Bethlehem meeting Palestinian Authority and local officials and business leaders. He noted the efforts that officials have made to strengthen the local business environment, specifically in the tourism sector.  Ratney toured the Church of the Nativity as well as the Bethlehem Folklore Museum, where he viewed traditional Palestinian embroidery and crafts.


Missing: 360,000 Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria.

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