Earlier this month I attended my sixth American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference. Once again, the conference exceeded my expectations, bringing community and student activists from all 50 states together to learn about and advocate for issues important to the pro-Israel community. Sitting with 18,000 fellow pro-Israel activists from all walks of life, listening to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Vice President Mike Pence, and other elected officials from Israel and the United States, Middle East experts, and so many more, was inspiring and motivational.
This year’s conference theme, “Choose to Lead” was exemplified in a breakout session I was lucky enough to attend with my own Congressman, Scott Taylor (VA‑2). A former Navy SEAL, Congressman Taylor was joined on a panel by three other Veterans who also serve in the House of Representatives. The congressmen spoke about their unique perspective of the importance of American leadership around the world, especially in the Middle East. The bipartisan group of Congressmen gave me hope by sharing stories of working together to complete a mission, and how they feel they can channel that in Congress to effectively legislate.
AIPAC also gave me the opportunity to go on Capitol Hill and lobby our members of Congress about issues that affect me personally as both an American and a Zionist. The experience is always gratifying, and this year was no exception. This year, our lobbying efforts focused on supporting security assistance to Israel, opposing Iran’s regional aggression and nuclear ambitions, and opposing boycotts against Israel and protecting U.S. companies.
Consider attending next year’s conference, as I’m sure it will be more incredible than this year’s.
For more information about AIPAC and its mission of strengthening, protecting, and promoting the US-Israel relationship, contact Melissa Eichelbaum at meichelbaum@ujft.org.
– Melissa Eichelbaum