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United States Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro spoke on Sunday, 8 Elul, at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya at the opening of a counterterrorism conference. He stated that the United States remains committed to permitting Israel to maintain its qualitative military edge in the region, and this is going to be accomplished by supplying the Israel Air Force with next generation fighter planes.

According to remarks made by Shapiro, the aid package which he feels is soon to be finalized is a 10-year package that will provide Israel with about $3.8 billion annually, an increase from the current $3.1 billion that expires in 2018. The new 10-year plan will continue until 2029.

Earlier on Sunday, the ambassador spoke at the official ceremony commemorating the 15th anniversary of 9/11.

The event was held at the 9/11 Living Memorial Plaza, a cenotaph located on a hill in Arazim Valley of Ramot, Jerusalem. The plaza, built on 5 acres, is to remember and honor the victims of the September 11 attacks.

Wikipedia

The cenotaph measures 30 feet and is made of granite, bronze and aluminum. It takes the form of an American flag, waving and transforming into a flame at the tip. A piece of melted metal from the ruins of the Twin Towers forms part of the base on which the monument rests. A glass pane over the metal facilitates viewing. The names of the victims, including five Israeli citizens, are embedded on the metal plate and placed on the circular wall. The monument is strategically located within view of Jerusalem’s main cemetery, Har HaMenuchot.

The folded part of the flag is reminiscent of the collapse of the towers in a cloud of dust. The flag morphs into a six-meter high memorial flame representative of a torch. It is the first monument outside of the United States which lists the names of the nearly 3,000 victims of the 9/11 attacks.

The cenotaph was designed by award-winning artist Eliezer Weishoff. It was commissioned by the Jewish National Fund (JNF/KKL) at a cost of₪ 10 million ($2 million).

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)