Iran continues to make rapid advancements in its illicit nuclear weapons program, threatening American interests, allies, and stability in the region. To relay the urgency of Iran’s threat to future policy makers and opinion leaders on campus, AIPAC-trained student activists organize campus symposia, newspaper editorials and op-eds, and other public awareness-raising activities. To help pass critical legislation—including the Iran Counter Proliferation Act of 2007 (H.R. 1400 and S.970)—student activists embark on letter-writing legislative impact campaigns, visit congressional district offices, and encourage their members of Congress to cosponsor the legislation. Activists also educate their state representatives about Iran divestment and encourage representatives in select states to divest pension funds from companies supporting Iran’s energy sector.

In the upcoming election, the Middle East will play a more central role than at any time in recent history. To help ensure that candidates running for office support a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, pro-Israel campus activists will help politically-minded students understand the issues most important to the pro-Israel community and involve pro-Israel students in political activity during the lead-up to the 2008 election.  To impact the election, activists will become active in the campaign for the candidate(s) of their choice.  By participating in races on the federal, state and local levels, campus activists will access key political figures, build important relationships, and help influence policy-makers.

With greater numbers of young people participating in the political process, and as Middle East issues receive unprecedented attention from political leaders and media, AIPAC-trained activists are presented with a unique opportunity this fall to broaden the base of our movement.  In this context, AIPAC-trained activists will seek to engage three constituencies that may be interested in advancing AIPAC’s campus agenda: incoming freshmen, Taglit-Birthright Israel alumni, and young people who have gotten involved in politics for the first time this election cycle.  AIPAC-trained activists will approach these individuals, assess their affinity for our mission and methodology, and create opportunities to empower them as pro-Israel political activists.
influence policy-makers