​(Communicated by the President’s Spokesperson)
 
President Reuven & First Lady Nechama Rivlin today (Tuesday, 13 September 2016), met at the President’s Residence with spouses and partners of foreign diplomats serving in Israel. The meeting was held together with the Diplomatic Spouses of Israel Association, headed by Julie Fisher wife of the US Ambassador to Israel.
 
“We know the sacrifices that you make for your spouses and partners,” began the President, and added, “we know that you are not just ‘ambassador’s better halves’, you are also ambassadors of your countries, and you are also ambassadors of Israel. Each of you has made your homes in Israel, and even if you are here for only a few years, I hope Israel will always have a place in your hearts.”
 
The President spoke of the challenges faced in the past year and said, “We are very near Rosh Hashannah, the Jewish New Year. It is a time when we look back at the year gone by and we pray for a year of health and peace. It wasn’t an easy year, but I am sure that the coming year will be much better, safer, happier, and hopefully much more peaceful. Israel and the whole world f    ace many challenges, but with you, our friends, standing by our side, we can and we will overcome them.”