Hundreds Participate in Student Advocacy Seminar

Three hundred hand-picked students from more than 100 campuses across the country recently participated in AIPAC’s 13th Saban Leadership Seminar in Washington, D.C. The advocacy training program featured a number of forums with high-level policymakers, including Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) and Reps. Robert Wexler (D-FL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL). Ambassador Dennis Ross and Wall Street Journal columnist Bret Stephens spoke to students about regional security issues and the challenges of international diplomacy.

During the third night of the program, White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten spoke to Saban participants and hundreds of Washington-area interns, headlining the final session of AIPAC’s 2008 Summer Seminar Series. Thirty AIPAC professionals also briefed students on a variety of regional and legislative issues, including the importance of international efforts halt Iran’s nuclear pursuit, before students ascended on Capitol Hill for approximately 115 lobbying appointments with members representing their campus districts.

AIPAC Hosts Real Estate Pros for Breakfast in NYC

AIPAC’s Real Estate Division recently hosted more than three dozen industry professionals for a breakfast briefing on the upcoming presidential election and the importance pro-Israel political activism. CBS political analyst and public policy scholar Norm Ornstein shared his thoughts on the ongoing presidential race and offered his predictions on the makeup of the next U.S. Congress. The Manhattan breakfast was the latest in a series of AIPAC events for members of New York's business community. Click here for information on upcoming events in your area.

Leading Israeli Broadcaster Addresses Hill Staff

A leading Israeli journalist and political analyst addressed some 40 congressional staffers and interns about Israel’s strategic outlook with respect to the Arab-Israeli conflict and Iran’s nuclear program. Ehud Ya’ari, an award-winning Israeli broadcaster who writes for The Jerusalem Report and other publications, discussed the prospects for peace between Israel and the Palestinians and between Israel and Syria, the fragile situation along Israel’s border with Lebanon, and the implications of Iran’s nuclear pursuit for the broader Middle East. In particular, Ya’ari emphasized the success of Western efforts to isolate the terrorist group Hamas, noting that it led Hamas to advocate the current period of calm with Israel and to lose confidence in its ability to govern Gaza effectively. Ya’ari also asserted that Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons is spurring Arab countries to seek their own nuclear programs.

Chicago Begins Countdown to AIPAC National Summit

Pro-Israel activists in Chicago, Illinois recently held an event at Ravinia – the Windy City’s premier outdoor concert venue – to kick off preparations for AIPAC’s 2008 National Summit, which will take place this October 26-27 in the city. Nearly 200 Summit vice-chairs and host committee members braved severe weather to hear Ambassador Marc Ginsberg analyze current events in the Middle East. Also speaking was AIPAC executive director Howard Kohr, who emphasized the importance of political activism in this presidential campaign season. The event concluded with numerous attendees signing up for the fall National Summit. Click here to learn more and to sign up.