Breakout Sessions: Sunday I

Choose from a number of exciting programming options including innovative briefing theaters, expert policy briefings and stimulating Scholar in Residence discussions.

Panel Discussion - Alliance Across America: The Pro- Israel Movement Beyond the Jewish Community

Support for the U.S.-Israel relationship extends well beyond the Jewish community. Many members of the African American and Latino communities, as well as religiously motivated pro-Israel Christians, are increasingly active in the pro-Israel movement. Through AIEF sponsored educational seminars in Israel and participation in AIPAC programs, these activists are learning about the most critical issues facing the Jewish state and the U.S.-Israel relationship. And, they are taking on a greater leadership role by hosting meetings in their communities, encouraging others to be involved and/or becoming politically active on a pro-Israel basis. This session explores the support that exists for the U.S.-Israel relationship from outside the Jewish community.

Moderator

• Mr. Jeff Mendelsohn

  National Outreach Director, AIPAC

Featuring

• Ms. Sue Lynch

  Immediate Past President, National Federation of Republican Women

• Assemblywoman Lucy Flores

  Vice-Chair, Nevada Hispanic Legislative Caucus, Nevada State Assembly

Panel Discussion - A Nuclear Conundrum: The Israeli and American Perspectives on Iran

A close relationship and frequent high-level discussions notwithstanding, the United States and Israel see the threat from Iran differently. Israel is a tiny country whose national security doctrine is based on vigilance and preemption, with little margin for error. The United States, conversely, is the most powerful nation on Earth. It is bordered by friendly neighbors and can be much more cautious in the projection of its military power. How do these perspectives shape the debate over the Iranian nuclear program? What policy implications do the differing perspectives have? Can the gaps be bridged? Learn more about how the United States and Israel view the Iranian nuclear threat.

Moderator

• Dr. Marvin Feuer

  Director, Policy and Government Affairs, AIPAC

Featuring

• Dr. Shai Feldman

  Director, Crown Center for Middle East Studies, Brandeis University

• The Honorable Nicholas Burns

  Professor of the Practice of Public Diplomacy and International Relations, Harvard Kennedy School

Panel Discussion - Between Radicalism and Realpolitik: Hamas at a Crossroads

The drastic changes sweeping the Arab world have placed Hamas at a historic crossroads. The terrorist group has achieved more to date than other Islamist movements, winning democratic elections and enjoying absolute control over the Gaza Strip for more than five years. An offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, the group is sure to gain further strength from the ascendancy of the Brotherhood in Egypt. Will regional developments force Hamas to change? Do these developments make reconciliation with Fatah more or less likely? How should the international community deal with a strengthened Hamas? Learn more about where Hamas currently stands and where it may be going in the near future.

Moderator

• Mr. David Gillette

  Deputy Director, Policy and Government Affairs, AIPAC

Featuring

• Dr. Jonathan Schanzer

  Vice President for Research, Foundation for Defense of Democracies

• Mr. Ghaith al-Omari

  Executive Director, American Task Force on Palestine

Panel Discussion - Collaboration or Conflict? The Geopolitics of Energy in the Mediterranean

Vast gas fields recently found in the eastern Mediterranean have the potential to dramatically transform the region. The findings are expected to allow Israel and Cyprus not only to be self-sufficient in terms of their gas needs, but also to become energy exporters. The two countries have embarked on projects to develop and utilize their energy resources together. At the same time, these lucrative energy reserves could become a source of strife, amid a sea border dispute between Israel and Lebanon and threats from Hizballah to attack Israel's energy installations. This session explores the geopolitics of energy in the Mediterranean and the potential for collaboration and conflict over energy supplies.

Moderator

• Eric Danko

  Assistant Director, Policy and Government Affairs, AIPAC

Featuring

• Dr. Michael Leigh

  Senior Advisor, The German Marshall Fund

• Dr. Brenda Shaffer

  Senior Lecturer, University of Haifa

Panel Discussion - Israel and the Palestinians: A Deadlocked Peace Process

It has been more than two years since Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas sat down with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to negotiate a peace agreement. In the interim, the Palestinians have sought recognition of statehood through the United Nations and have repeatedly attempted to implement a reconciliation deal between Fatah and Hamas. They have rejected proposals to renew bilateral talks, demanding that Israel first halt settlement construction, recognize the principle of a Palestinian state with 1967 borders and release Palestinian prisoners. This session discusses the future of the peace process in light of developments in Israel and among the Palestinians, as well as broader changes in the Middle East.

Moderator

• Ms. Ester Kurz

  Director, Legislative Strategy and Policy, AIPAC

Featuring

• Dr. Aaron David Miller

  Distinguished Scholar, Middle East Program, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars

• Mr. David Makovsky

  Ziegler Distinguished Fellow and Director, Program on the Middle East Peace Process, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

Panel Discussion - The Nuclear Endgame Nears: How to Deal With Iran

Though Israel has been sounding the alarm about Iran's nuclear program for decades, only recently has the international community ratcheted up the pressure on Tehran. While sanctions are hurting the Iranian economy, some worry that it may be too late to reach an agreement at the negotiating table. Have non-military means to end the Iranian nuclear project been exhausted? President Obama and Congress have rejected any policy that seeks to contain a nuclear Iran, but what does this mean in practical terms? What would be an acceptable endgame on Iran's nuclear file? This session explores the policy options that remain should Iran continue to reject the demands for the international community.

Featuring

• Mr. Ilan Berman

  Vice President, American Foreign Policy Council

• Mr. Stephen Rademaker

  Principal, The Podesta Group;, Former Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control

Moderator

• Ambassador Brad Gordon

  Director, Policy and Govenment Affairs, AIPAC

Panel Discussion - The United States and Israel: Shaping Tomorrow Together

When discussing the U.S.-Israel relationship, we often focus on top-level political ties and military cooperation, from joint military exercises to intelligence sharing. But the two countries do a great deal more together, reflecting their shared values and common interests. Driven by a desire to improve our world through innovation and humanitarianism, the United States and Israel are collaborating on projects to improve food security in Africa. Scientists from the two countries have teamed up to produce breakthroughs in fields ranging from medicine to physics. And, partnerships between American and Israeli high-tech firms have strengthened both countries' positions in an increasingly competitive global market. Learn more about how U.S.-Israeli cooperation is changing our world for the better.

Moderator

• Mr. Jeffrey Colman

  Deputy Director, Policy and Government Affairs, AIPAC

Featuring

• The Honorable Eliav Benjamin

  Counselor for Political Affairs, Embassy of Israel

• Dr. Joseph Jacobson

  Associate Professor, Media Arts and Sciences, Massachusetts Insitute of Technology

Town Hall Meeting - Faces and Races

Control of the White House, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives will be determined in just a few short weeks. Voters will go to the polls to choose their candidates—the same individuals who will shape the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Get AIPAC's latest expert analysis on the race for president and the Congress, and their impact on the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Featuring

• Mr. Edward Miller

  Deputy National Political Director, AIPAC

Additional Programming - The AIPAC Tomorrow Campaign Legacy Lounge

Make your commitment to secure the U.S.-Israel relationship a lasting one. AIPAC's endowment team will be in the Legacy Lounges in the Commonwealth Complex before all plenary sessions and upstairs on the World Trade Center Mezzanine level during all breakout sessions. We will explore with you various planned giving options that might be most advantageous for your estate, including bequests, retirement assets and other planned giving options. Legacy gifts can be made both charitably and non-charitably to benefit both your heirs and AIPAC.

* - invited
† - this session open to Senate Club and above only