New U.S. ambassador arrives

Richard Jones lands at Ben-Gurion Airport Sunday, arrives at Foreign Ministry to present credentials; says, ‘I promise to learn Hebrew’
Itamar Eichner

Richard Jones, the newly-appointed U.S. ambassador to Israel, arrived in the country on Sunday, ending the four year term of former ambassador Dan Kurtzer.

A short while after landing at Ben-Gurion Airport, Jones arrived at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem to formally present his credentials to Chief of Protocol Yitzhak Eldan. On Monday Jones is expected to present his credentials to President Moshe Katsav and officially begin his term as ambassador.

Upon arriving in Israel Jones said his dream is that regional peace would be achieved during his term.

“I am not familiar with Israel, but I plan to study the country as soon as possible,” he said.

“This is my fourth term in the region, and I come with a desire to learn.”

During the Foreign Ministry ceremony Eldan advised Jones, who speaks fluent Arabic, to learn Hebrew.

“I promise to learn the language,” Jones responded.

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Danny Ayalon hosted a farewell party for Jones in Washington prior to his departure for Israel. Some 200 people, including former ambassadors to Israel, U.S. government officials and Jewish community leaders were on hand to congratulate Jones on his appointment.

“The American ambassador to Israel is not only the senior diplomat, he is also a friend and a family member,” Ayalon said during the event.

“I hope that during your term concrete steps will be taken toward peace and the Road Map.”

Jones, who arrived in Israel with his wife and two of his four children, said recently that following Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza the ball is in the Palestinian Authority’s court and it must prove itself by improving the lives of the Palestinians and eradicating terror.

Kurtzer is expected to leave the Foreign Service for the academia, but said he plans to visit Israel frequently to meet with family and friends.