SALFEET, June 8, 2009 (WAFA)- In the presence of Salfeet Governor Munir Abbushi, U.S. Consul General Jake Walles, and Mayor of Salfeet Tahseen Abd Al Halem Salimah, signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Consulate General and the Municipality of Salfeet for the establishment of a new American Corner at Salfeet Municipal Library. 

The Corner will be the third to be open in the Palestinian Territories, after the American Corners in Jericho and Gaza City.  The American Corner will be a dedicated space in the library with a special resource collection of books, magazines, movies and electronic reference materials about the United States.  The Corner will also be equipped with computers and serve as a venue for cultural and educational activities such as English classes, performances and lectures. 

Governor Abbushi welcomed the American guests in his remarks and stressed the importance of cultural exchange programs in allowing Palestinians to learn more about world cultures, including the United States.  He thanked the U.S. Consulate General for cooperation on a variety of projects including a book donation to a Salfeet youth center last year.  Mayor Salimah also spoke at the event and invited all area residents to visit the American Corner when it opens later this year and make full use of its resources.  He also thanked the U.S. Consulate General for funding the initiative that will pay for books, electronic reference materials, computers, office equipment and an upgrade to the computers and internet service currently available to students and library patrons.

U.S. Consul for Press and Cultural Affairs Micaela Schweitzer-Bluhm explained further that, “the Corner is meant to share the story of the United States and expand Palestinians’ understanding of American society, values and culture.  The initiative also seeks to stimulate an open dialogue on issues of mutual concern to Americans and Palestinians and to build bridges of understanding across the two cultures.”

Invoking President Obama’s speech in Cairo, Mr. Walles expanded on the theme of building bridges in his remarks at the event.  According to Walles, “President Obama said that the U.S. will pursue new partnerships with governments and citizens in the areas of education, economic development, science and technology and health.  We view this American Corner initiative as an important part of our engagement with the residents of Salfeet and this part of the West Bank.  We hope that the many resources about business, law and education, for example, will inspire Salfeet youth to excel in their studies and join the efforts to build the future Palestinian state.”