Thank you for the opportunity to say a few words.  Thank you, Ziad, for the kind introduction and thank you, Prime Minister Fayyad, for joining us this evening.   Your remarkable leadership and vision have been critical in laying the necessary institutional foundations of a future Palestinian state. We greatly look forward to your remarks.

I am personally pleased to be here, for what is a celebration of the dynamic role played by Palestinian Americans in contributing to the richness of our culture, the creativity of our performing arts, and the vitality of our democracy.

It is in this spirit that the American Task Force on Palestine plays a critical role in advancing the cause of peace.  As Secretary Clinton emphasized when she spoke here last year, the ATFP’s mission is quintessentially American, and, Ziad, your leadership has made this mission a reality.  

By bringing together Palestinian Americans from all over the country and all walks of life to express their views and help shape the national debate, it is making an invaluable contribution to our country and our tradition of active citizenship. 

Now, I’m pleased to be able to relay Secretary Clinton’s greetings to you and would like to read a message from her to you.

 
Dear Friends:

It gives me great pleasure to extend my heartfelt greetings to all those gathered for the American Task Force on Palestine’s sixth annual gala. As friends and supporters of ATFP, we recognize that the cause of peace cannot be the work of governments alone.

True and lasting peace must reside in the hearts of ordinary people who must live, work, study, and raise their families together, as neighbors. We must never forget that peace between Palestinians and Israelis is in the interest of Palestinians, Israelis, and people across the region, as well as the United States.  Tonight, I commend everyone at ATFP, and those of you who support its mission, for your tireless commitment to our shared goal – two states, the State of Palestine and the State of Israel, living side-by-side in peace and security. 

Despite the inevitable difficulties we face, the Obama Administration will never waver in its pursuit of this goal. That is why the United States has worked so hard to help support President Abbas, Prime Minister Fayyad, and the Palestinian people as they have improved security, strengthened institutions, and unleashed economic growth that is giving new hope and opportunity to people across the West Bank.  The United States will continue to support the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, and we will continue to push for negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians that can achieve a lasting peace.

Palestinians deserve an independent state, Israelis deserve security, and Palestinian and Israeli children deserve the opportunity to pursue their dreams and fulfill their God-given potential with dignity and peace. I remain grateful for your unwavering commitment to these goals, and on behalf of the American people, I thank you, as proud Palestinian-Americans, for everything you do each and every day to enrich our beloved country.

With best wishes for a wonderful evening, I am

Sincerely yours,
Hillary Rodham Clinton

Click below to see the original letter attached (.pdf).