The AIPAC Policy Conference was held at the Washington Convention Center from March 1st to March 3rd in Washington D.C., and was attended by over 16,000 pro-Israel supporters from across the globe. In favor of a strong American-Israel relationship, activists attended sessions given by many different strong proponents of the Israel-American friendship, and met with various members of Congress throughout the three-day convention. Pro-Israel Americans gathered to help structure pro-Israel policy and help shape a stronger US-Israel relationship.
Many prominent speakers, including US Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, and United States National Security Advisor, Susan Rice, spoke at the plenary session along with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Senator Robert Menendez.
Also in attendance at the conference were thousands of students. Some came with a school delegation, some came with youth groups, and others attended on their own. One Stern student, junior Michal Cohen, felt that “The most inspiring thing [about attending the AIPAC Conference] was being in the plenary with 16,000 people, Jews and non-Jews, who were all there for the same reason; support for America and Israel.”
US Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Samantha Power, articulated the Jewish right of return to the holy land and recanted the thousands of years that the Jewish People have yearned to be reunited with their homeland. The Zionist dream began with Theodor Herzl at the First Zionist Congress in 1897. Power affirmed the fact that she strives for Israel’s equal treatment at the UN, and acknowledges that the General Assembly does not act fairly toward Israel.
She continued to explain, “All countries need to be held to their pledges to fight anti-Semitism. Attacks on Israel’s legitimacy are biased, ugly, and the US will not rest until they stop.” She expressed the importance of Israel’s security and how the US-Israel relationship transcends all politics.
Power stated that what makes this relationship so special is the fact that America and Israel share fundamental values and will do whatever it takes to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. “The US will take whatever steps necessary to protect our national security and that of our closest allies. If diplomacy should fail we know the stakes of a nuclear-armed Iran, and we will never let it happen. There will never be a sunset on the US’s commitment to Israel’s security.”
Power finished her speech on an inspiring note: “Israel’s history is a story that is still being written as the obstacles persist in so many forms. The United States has stood shoulder to shoulder to our partner Israel through thick and thin. We cannot and will not lose sight of that. The bond between the United States and Israel is still a national commitment. It should never be a partisan matter. The bond runs much deeper than any one issue, or any one generation. Now, as then, we cannot, and we will not, lose sight of that.”
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was met with cheers and applause when he gave his much anticipated speech on the second day of the AIPAC Policy Conference. In his opening statements, Netanyahu started off by thanking the large audience for their support. He proudly expressed, “You are true champions of Israel and true champions of the truth. My friends, I bring greetings to you from Jerusalem, our eternal, undivided capital.”
He then stated how when America and Israel work together, both parties are stronger. “Israel should always be a bipartisan issue, and Israel’s security should always remain a bipartisan issue.” Netanyahu spoke about Iran and how the country is the leading sponsor of terrorism. He vowed to speak up during these dangerous times before it is too late.
With an inspiring passion, Netanyahu proclaimed, “The days when the Jewish People are passive in the threats to annihilate us, those days are over. Today in our sovereign State of Israel, we defend ourselves. No one makes alliances with the weak; you seek out those who have strength, those who have resolve, and those who have determination to fight for ourselves. Today we are no longer silent, and today we have a voice.”
After outlining the history of agreements and disagreements within America and Israel’s relationship, the Prime Minister finished with the following words: “Rooted in a common heritage, upholding common values, sharing a common destiny. And that’s the message I came to tell you today. Our alliance is sound. Our friendship is strong. And with your efforts it will get even stronger in the years to come.” The tone of the conference was one of optimism for the future of the American-Israeli relationship.