AIPAC Policy Conference 2012 Opens in Washington, D.C.

For the 53rd time, pro-Israel activists from around the country have converged on the nation’s capital for the AIPAC Policy Conference. This will not only be the largest conference in AIPAC history, with more than 13,000 delegates from all 50 states, but also a conference of “firsts”: the first time both the President and Secretary of Defense will address delegates, the first time we host both the Israeli Prime Minister and President, and the first conference featuring an AIPAC Village – the new central gathering place for delegates, covering roughly three city blocks of space.

The theme for this year’s AIPAC Policy Conference is Shared Values, Shared Vision. During the next three days, we will explore in depth the many ways the United States and Israel are deeply connected through the Shared Values that define who we are and the Shared Vision that we have for the future.

Policy Conference plenary sessions, featuring leaders from both countries, will celebrate the bonds that bring these two allies together.

In breakout sessions with American and Israeli pundits and policymakers, we will discuss the principles and ideals that distinguish the United States and Israel: the pursuit of security and peace, a love of freedom and democracy, and a desire to improve our world through innovation and humanitarianism.

Tech demos with experts will allow us to experience many examples reflecting these principles and ideals, from cutting-edge technologies designed to end our dependence on oil to joint projects that protect civilians and soldiers from the threat of deadly missiles.

We gather for this year’s Policy Conference at a time of great uncertainty across the Middle East. The region faces increasing violence, turmoil, and the emergence of illiberal forces as powerful political players.

Talking to fellow delegates, to our friends back home, and to lawmakers we meet on Capitol Hill, this is an opportunity to highlight the Shared Values and Shared Vision of America and Israel. But it also reminds us of the Shared Responsibility we all carry to support Israel and the U.S.-Israel relationship.