US Ambassador Daniel B. Shapiro took part in a ceremony commemorating the victims of 9/11 today, hosted by the KKL-JNF, in Park Jerusalem, at the monument erected for the victims' eternal memory. Present were Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Danny Ayalon, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, Mr. Efi Stenzler, KKL-JNF World Chairman, Ms. Sigal Shefi-Asher, on behalf of the victim families and Mr. Stanley Chesley.

In a press release distributed by Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, Spokesperson Department: "Keren Kayemet Leisrael, KKL-JNF, and the American Embassy have been assembling a memorial ceremony every year for the 9\11 disaster. The monument which is in memory of the victims was built two years ago, donated by JNF-USA and was designed by the Israeli artist Eliezer Weishoff. It is the largest 9\11 monument in the world, shaped as a US flag blowing in the wind and turning into fire, each of the terror victims names are carved on the walls of the monument, including five Israelis. The monument is located in the center of Park Jerusalem, Israels largest park. This is one of the first monuments in memory of the 9\11 attacks built outside of NY. The monument was built through the generosity of Karen Bronka Stavsky Rabin Weintraub and the family of Edward Blank from New York. It is a symbol of the shared values between the United States, Israel and the entire free world for the sake of freedom and against terrorism.

Efi Stenzler, Chairman of the World Jewish National Fund had said: "Ten years have passed since that fateful day. The whole world held it's breath at the sight of the Twin Towers, and the Pentagon burning. Capitol Hill, symbol of democracy, was saved at the last minute thanks to passengers of the hijacked plane. The September 11 attacks are a major disaster and incomprehensible. The free world has now understood what we learned the hard way, and that is not letting these enemies of humanity get another chance. The purpose of this special monument is to help deal with the tragedy and carry on without falling apart, in addition it is there remind us to fight with determination against the root of evil."

Edward Blank, one of the donors for the monument and resident of New York City, explained, "The events of that day changed my private world as a person and the world as a whole. Looking for a worthy way to express my feelings, this memorial monument felt like the most appropriate way."
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In a second ceremony, Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyhu hosted Ambassador Dan Shapiro at a photography exhibition by photographer Robby Berman, who was at Ground Zero with his camera when the second tower collapsed.