AIPAC Policy Conference 2010
March 21-23, 1020
Washington, D.C.
By Aaron Dvorkin
Every year, thousands upon thousands of pro-Israel delegates from around the U.S., and around the world, gather in Washington, D.C. to show their support for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. I had the pleasure to be one of those people at the conference, which started Sunday, March 21, and ended on Tuesday, March 23. Over the three days that I spent at the conference, I attended non-stop “breakout sessions” (lectures) and heard speakers where I was subject to the most powerful and well informed pro-Israel politicians, experts, and lobbyists from around the globe. Some of these names include: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, The Right Honorable Tony Blair, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC), and many more.
Even though almost all the speeches focused on the same topics, it was clear that the speakers had their own personal agendas in mind when they spoke. Hillary Clinton defended her administration’s public disagreement with Israel on the settlements by saying that Israel needs America’s criticism, and America needs Israel’s criticism. This idea was countered indirectly by other speakers who said that, while this is true, considering Israel’s generally bad image in the Diaspora, these differences should be played out privately, not publicly. Prime Minister Netanyahu joined this consensus by stating: “Jerusalem is not a settlement.” Harvard Professor of Law and outspoken Israel activist Alan Dershowitz quite enthusiastically said: “Put up or Shut up!” to people who claim that Israel’s military actions endanger America and its citizens. He, as always, claimed that these kinds of people are never able prove their points after making such heinous accusations. Dershowitz also used his time at the podium to condemn the infamous “Goldstone Report” which accuses Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza in last year’s “Operation Cast Lead,” and claimed that Israel shouldn’t be subject to so many accusations when it has done so much for the world. Former Prime Minister and current Quartet Representative to the Middle East Tony Blair spoke about the importance of pursuing peace talks with the Palestinians that would include negotiations on a “two-state solution.” Senators Charles Schumer and Lindsay Graham both focused their speeches on the importance of not allowing Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. In probably the most interesting speech of the conference for me, African American Rev. Dee Dee Coleman, Pastor of Russell Street Missionary Baptist Church in Michigan, called for other people in the African American community to stand with Israel and the Jewish people, stating that Jews and African Americans have gone through similar persecution and false propaganda in their own communities.
Although the conference prides itself on being centrist (nonpartisan), it was very clear what the priorities for the delegates (including me) were. We could choose and attend breakout sessions on a very wide array of topics, but when it came to going to Capitol Hill and lobbying our Representative and/or Senators (the climax of the conference) we were told to ask them to do three specific things. These were:
a. Vote for the foreign aid bill that would send $3 billion of our own money to Israel.
b. Pass the sanctions on Iran bill which would give President Obama the ability to impose any sanctions he wants on Iran whenever he wants.
c. Support Israel in the current heated debate going on with the U.S.
We delegates were given a huge packet bluntly titled: “Talking Points,” that was filled to the brim with bullet points on exactly what to tell our Representatives.
Another moment that stood out to me occurred during a meeting with Massachusetts delegates and its newly-elected Senator Scott Brown. A man bravely raised his hand and gave the Senator his opinion on Hillary Clinton’s speech and how she defended the administration’s stance on Israeli settlements. This man’s idea was not in any way partisan. Right after he was done speaking, a member of the Board of Directors of AIPAC who happened to be present, stood up and told everybody exactly what AIPAC thought was wrong with the Secretary’s speech. Even though the conference had good intentions on giving us the packet and telling us what we as participants of the conference should think, for me it took away the much anticipated feeling of having a real-life conversation with my Representative and Senator. Instead, I felt like a robot being used to fulfill my programmer’s (in this case AIPAC’s) commands, and repeating everything they want me to say. I have my own opinions on these issues. They don’t perfectly mirror the clear-set agenda of AIPAC. For example, I, along with Hillary Clinton, feel that Israel needs our criticisms since it is such a young country in such a hard situation. If AIPAC wants to strive to be a truly centrist organization, they should let us talk to our Representatives about whatever we want, the only restrictions being that our opinions should not demonize Israel.
Even though I have my disagreements with how AIPAC handled some of their programs, Policy Conference was truly one of the most interesting, informative, and inspiring experiences of my life. I can now truly say that I know what I’m talking about when it comes to Israel and the Middle East. I deeply encourage everybody reading this article to attend the AIPAC Policy Conference next year, and to tell your friends and family to as well.
Aaron Dvorkin is a freshman at Gann Academy and attended the AIPAC Conference with a group of students from his school. He can be reached at advork@gmail.com.