Nearly twenty Yeshiva University students joined over 12,000 other pro-Israel activists at American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)’s annual Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. from March 2nd through 5th. The conference aims to further the mission of AIPAC – strengthening the United States-Israel relationship – by encouraging political activism. The conference is designed to be both educational, through various informative sessions, and inspirational. Conference highlights include speeches from Vice President Joe Biden, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu (via satellite), and a handful of members of Congress. The trip culminates with delegates traveling to Capitol Hill to lobby their members of Congress. For the very first time in the conference’s history, AIPAC delegates met with every single Senator and Representative on the same day to lobby for the support of Israel.
The YU students were just a small fraction of the two thousand college students who attended the conference. Students from all fifty states were afforded scholarships as part of AIPAC’s initiative to bring pro-Israel activism to college campuses. Many of the delegates from YU were awarded scholarships as part of the Friedman Scholars Program, made possible by Howard and Chaya Friedman of Baltimore. Howard Friedman is a current AIPAC Board Member and former President of the organization. Students also received scholarships as part of the Geller Student Government Association.
Students have the unique opportunity as part of AIPAC Policy Conference to interact with policy makers and influential leaders. Walking around the Senate halls, I ran into Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL). I introduced myself and we shook hands. When I informed him that I’m a student at Yeshiva University, he told me that on his recent visit to Israel just a few weeks ago he met Americans studying at Yeshiva University’s Israel campus in Jerusalem. We shared experiences about our time in Israel, in which he remarked, “I could live in Tel Aviv,” but as the dialogue ensued, he retraced in favor of Jerusalem. I encouraged him to continue to lead the pursuit of pro-Israel policy in Washington and we took a quick photo. This was only one of many student interactions with congressional members.
A large majority of delegates at the conference are not Orthodox; many delegates are not Jewish at all. AIPAC has taken the initiative to attract Americans of all sorts to join the pro-Israel lobby. The spectrum of delegates gave YU students the opportunity to interact with others and learn about Israel support outside of their typical network. This year AIPAC recruited and ran sessions specifically targeting the Evangelical, African-American and Latino communities. Friedman Scholar Malkie Krieger (SCW, ’13) commented, “The turn-out of non-Jewish supporters at this past policy conference astounded and amazed me. Their sheer numbers and their outspoken voices made me, as a religious Jew, so much more hopeful for the future of Israel.”
AIPAC has a record of ensuring that their stance on policy and support for Israel remains a bipartisan effort. AIPAC drew criticism for its resolve to remain bipartisan and stay silent on Former Senator Chuck Hagel’s nomination for Secretary of Defense. Republicans have criticized Chuck Hagel for previous remarks on Israel and AIPAC itself. Perhaps the toughest critic of Hagel who showcased his discontent for Hagel was Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) who spoke in a panel about AIPAC’s American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF), that sends key leaders to visit Israel. Upon one questioner’s commandment of Cruz’s tough stance on the Hagel nomination, Cruz received a full minute-long standing ovation from the crowd. Cruz shared a common sentiment conveyed by Republicans over the weekend that they are “hopeful” Hagel is successful in his new post yet remain concerned.