In the final hours of his curtailed visit to New York, President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, visited and laid a wreath at the 9/11 memorial on the site of the World Trade Towers.

The President said, “Once to stand at this place, was to stand in the shadows of two magnificent towers, examples of modern development and human achievement. But now, we stand in the shadow of the valley of death.”

The President called for the international community to unite in fighting terrorism. “We stand here, united as those who choose life, freedom, and equality, and understand the horror of what occurred here, and the enormity of the task before us. We will continue to fight terror. We will continue to fight fundamentalism. This is an obligation for the whole world, for its leaders, those who believe in peace, and all citizens of the world. Terrorism is not an Israeli or American problem. Extremism is not a destined decree. The free world, democracy, the value of life, will endure, and stand strong in the face of this threat. I take from this place not anger, but hope. I take from this place, not hatred, but a desire for peace. May the memories of those who died here be a blessing.”

Immediately after, President Rivlin met with former US President Bill Clinton. They spoke at length about President Rivlin’s visit and issues on the agenda of both Israel and the United States.

Earlier, following his address at the United Nations, the President inaugurated a Yad Vashem exhibition at the UN building; met with New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, and the New York Chief of Police; and attended a meeting with a range of Ambassadors to the UN, hosted by Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Ron Prosor.

Following this, President Rivlin was welcomed as guest of honor, as he addressed a special event, hosted by Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and Consul General of Israel in New York, Ambassador Ido Aharoni. The event was attended by several hundred leaders and community members.

The President thanked Mr. Diaz for the warm welcome, and told those attending of the strength and importance of cultural diversity in Israel. He said, “Israeli society is based on diversity – and is made up of a wide range of communities; Jews, Arabs, Muslims, Christians, Ultra-Orthodox, Ethiopians, and hundreds and thousands of immigrants from every possible country. I believe in fact, we owe our status as the ‘Startup Nation’ to this diversity.”

The President spoke of the recent security events that had taken place in Israel. He said, “Often when people hear or read about Israel, they think we are at war with Islam. We are not, and never have been, at war with Islam. We, like many other countries today, are at war with extremists. I believe that Jews and Arabs are not doomed to live together, but we are destined to live together, and that the greatest challenge is the establishment of trust, mutual respect and understanding between Israel’s Jewish and Arab, and between Israelis and Palestinians – a challenge which still lies before us.”

The President spoke of the many shared experiences and connections between the Jewish and Israeli communities, and the Hispanic community. He commented, “The strengthening of ties between our communities is of great mutual benefit.” The President thanked his hosts for their invitation and said, “You are always welcome to visit Israel, and to the President’s Residence in particular.”

President Rivlin concluded his visit which saw him speak at the UN special assembly for the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, meet with the Hispanic, and African-American communities, visit West Point USMA, and meet with former President Clinton, former Sec. of State, Henry Kissinger, Mayor of New York Bill de Blasio and hold a working meeting with UN Sec. Gen. Ban Ki-moon.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)