AIPAC Event Highlights Bipartisan Support for U.S.-Israel Relationship

Half the Senate and half of the House were on hand for the AIPAC Policy Conference's Gala Banquet, a reflection of strong bipartisan American support for Israel.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) addressed the event, which was also attended by officials from the Executive Branch, the diplomatic corps and the Israeli government, as well as scores of other honored guests.  The next morning, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) addressed thousands of conference delegates before they headed to Capitol Hill for more than 500 meetings with members of Congress.

Cheney, Livni Underscore U.S.-Israel Bond

Vice President Dick Cheney and Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni reaffirmed the U.S.-Israel relationship in back-to-back addresses during AIPAC's annual Policy Conference.  Vice President Cheney stated the United States would remain "unflinching and steadfast" in its support of the Jewish state.  Foreign Minister Livni said that Israelis across the political spectrum "speak with one voice" regarding the Jewish state's ties to America.  "We, the people of Israel, cherish this friendship," Livni said.

Prime Minister Delivers Satellite Address at Policy Conference

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert awoke in the middle of the night in Israel to speak live via satellite to the attendees at AIPAC's Policy Conference Gala Banquet.  "Even though it is four in the morning, how could I miss this exciting, inspiring event?" Olmert said to applause.  After reviewing the threats posed to Israel by Iran, Hizballah and Palestinian terrorist groups, the Prime Minister lauded AIPAC activists for working with Congress to keep the U.S.-Israel relationship strong.

Campus Activists Demonstrate Diversity of American Support for Israel

More than 1,200 students from 391 colleges and universities attended AIPAC's  Policy Conference, showcasing the strength of the pro-Israel movement on America's college campuses. The student delegates included more than 160 student body presidents from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as scores of delegates from Christian institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  AIPAC student activists finished the conference ready to utilize their new energy, experience and skills back on campus this spring.

Conference Speakers Highlight Roots of U.S.-Israel Bond

A leading historian and one of America's foremost Christian leaders addressed conference participants about the long history of American support for Israel and the strength of American Christian support for Israel's safety, security and survival. American support for Israel didn't start with President Truman's 1948 recognition of the Jewish state, historian and author Michael Oren told AIPAC Policy Conference delegates, but rather can be traced back to America's founding fathers.

Pastor John Hagee, of San Antonio's Cornerstone Church, delivered a stirring explanation of Christian Zionism, and spoke about his work to mobilize American pro-Israel Christians to become politically involved on behalf of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. Pastor Hagee is the founder of Christians United for Israel, an organization dedicated to mobilizing millions of American Christians to strengthen the bond between the United States and Israel.