White House National Security Adviser Gen. James L. Jones and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney spoke to delegates at the AIPAC National Summit in San Diego. Both speakers warned of Iran's quest for a nuclear weapons capability and stressed the importance of close ties between the United States and Israel. Delegates also heard from California lawmakers who have worked to divest state and local public pension funds from companies doing business with Iran's energy sector. In addition, Summit attendees had the opportunity to see a model of a Stunner missile, the key component of the David's Sling missile defense system, jointly developed by the United States and Israel. Sign up for next year's National Summit.

Three leading advocates for strong U.S.-Israel ties described the roots of their support for the Jewish state in an emotional closing to the 2009 AIPAC National Summit in San Diego. Pastor Victor Styrsky, eastern regional coordinator of Christians United for Israel, spoke of the religious underpinnings of his love for Israel; Peter Villegas, a Latino political activist, described the universal appeal of Israel's message; and Rabbi Daniel Gordis, vice president of the Shalem Center in Jerusalem, highlighted the Jewish people's historic connection to the Land of Israel.

In addition, two student activists from University of California-San Diego discussed their work on campus to build support for the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Members of Congress from the southern Pacific region joined AIPAC activists from across the country on Sunday at the AIPAC National Summit Gala Banquet. During the annual celebration, which honors elected officials for working to strengthen the U.S.-Israel alliance, Congressional leaders spoke about their efforts to halt Iran's nuclear work, jumpstart Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and to secure vital foreign aid for Israel.

California gubernatorial candidates Mayor Gavin Newsom and Meg Whitman also spoke to National Summit delegates, describing their work to build bridges between our nation and our close ally, Israel.

Register for next year's gathering in South Florida, October 24-25.  

Dr. Judea Pearl, president of the Daniel Pearl Foundation, kicked off this year's AIPAC National Summit on Sunday, October 18, with a moving address on the growing dangers of anti-Zionism and Islamic radicalism. Pearl spoke to AIPAC Club members gathered in San Diego, California, for the organization's premier annual foreign policy retreat. Delegates also heard a roundtable discussion on the most pressing issues facing the United States, Israel and the greater Middle East, featuring Rep. Howard Berman, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Elliott Abrams, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and Maj. General Dan Harel, the former deputy chief of staff for the Israel Defense Forces.