DAILY AND WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
Ambassador Maen Rashid Areikat’s visit to Arizona
On November 17th, 2011 Ambassador Areikat arrived at Phoenix, Arizona on a visit to Arizona State University. While there he met with the Dean of the ASU Polytechnic campus to explore ways ASU can work with Palestinians in the field of renewable energy as well as the Dean of the College of Education and discussed teacher training programs in Palestine as well. In addition, Ambassador Areikat gave a public address to the ASU community hosted by the honors College on the topic of Palestine: US and International Interests which was followed by an off the record speech and dinner hosted in the Ambassador’s honor by the Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations entitled Palestine is Ready. On November 18th the Ambassador met with the President of Arizona State University, Dr. Michael Crow to discuss other ways the University can work in Palestine and assist in state building. President Crow has also agreed to attend, meet, and greet dinner hosted by Ambassador Areikat and prominent members of the Palestinian community in Arizona in order to form a close relationship with the University and the Palestinian community in Arizona.
Ambassador Maen Rashid Areikat meets Laval University students
On Monday November 14th, 2011 Ambassador Maen Rashid Areikat welcomed a delegation of students from Laval University in Quebec, Canada who were representing Palestine at the National Council on US Arab Relations Model Arab League conference. The twelve students asked pointed questions on the UN bid, what UNESCO membership means as well as specific question on our foreign policy. They also asked ways they could help the Palestinian cause in Canada, and ways to change their government’s stance on the Israeli Palestinian conflict. Overall the meeting was very useful to the students who enjoyed the opportunity to speak with the Ambassador and it continues Ambassador Areikat’s push to speak to the youth.
Palestinian Journalists visit the Delegation
On Monday November 14, 2011, a group of Palestinian journalists visited the PLO Delegation office to meet with Ambassador Areikat and conduct a short interview. The journalists come from different TV, newspaper, and radio stations in Palestine. Half of them were from Gaza, and the other from the West Bank. The Ambassador welcomed them, took a few questions, then conducted a short interview that revolved around the nature of the PLO Delegation in Washington, and the responsibilities it handles. The journalists are conducting a tour around the US, and have been in the country for more than 3 weeks.
Ambassador Maen Rashid Areikat meets Bill Danvers
On Wednesday November 9th, 2011 Ambassador Maen Rashid Areikat met with Senate Foreign Relations Committee Director Bill Danvers and Senior Staffer Perry Cammack. The meeting was to discuss the Palestinian UN bid and Congress’s reaction/position.
Ambassador Areikat in Detroit to meet Palestinian community
During the week of October 24th, 2011 Ambassador Maen Rashid Areikat travelled to Detroit, Michigan in an effort to strengthen the Delegation’s relations with the Palestinian community. While in Michigan Ambassador Areikat hosted a large town hall to discuss the United Nations bid for Membership, current political issues in Palestine as well as ways the Delegation can help Palestinians living in the Diaspora. The Ambassador also made media rounds through interviews with the two major Detroit newspapers, as well as television, radio appearances and an address to the University of Michigan at Dearborn before returning back to Washington.
Ambassador Maen Rashid Areikat addressed the Washington European Society
On Thursday September 8th, 2011 Ambassador Maen Rashid Areikat addressed the esteemed Washington European Society. With over 20 members in attendance the dinner speech involved highlighting the Palestinian Authority’s bid for member status at the United Nations later this month, Europe’s history in Palestine, and the current role of the European Union in Palestine. After his speech, Ambassador Areikat entertained questions ranging from the EU’s import of Gazan goods, the EU exclusions of settlement goods from Israel’s trade act with the EU, and specific questions on Western Europe’s role in the peace process.
Ambassador Maen Rashid Areikat at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Strategic Dialogue Conference
On Wednesday August 10th, 2011 Ambassador Maen Rashid Areikat was a panelist at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Strategic Dialogue, Israel and Palestinians: September and Beyond Conference. Ambassador Areikat spoke alongside David Makovsky from the Washington Institute and Tal Becker, former policy advisor in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs about why the Palestinian government is pursuing the United Nations track, potential UN scenarios, as well as what will happen after the vote. The two hour session included a question and answer session by prominent Palestinians, Israelis and American government officials. Notable attendees included 2 Members of the US Congress, as well as David Hale, Dennis Ross and Jacob Walles.
Ambassador Maen Rashid Areikat addresses GWU’s Elliott School of International Affairs
On Tuesday August 2nd, 2011 Ambassador Maen Rashid Areikat of the General Delegation of the PLO to the United States spoke at lecture hosted by the National Council on U.S. – Arab Relations at GWU’s Elliott School of International Affairs. Ambassador Areikat addressed the approximately 30 interns working at Arab organizations throughout the city on the topic of the Palestinian government’s decision to approach the United Nations for statehood recognition. He elaborated and discussed what that would mean for the Palestinians on the international level, including the differences between becoming a full member state and a non-member state, as well as different outcomes after an expected US veto. After his speech Ambassador Areikat entertained questions from the audience which ranged from his thoughts on if the US will withhold funding to the PA to questions on a unity government and inquiries about Jerusalem.