Transcripts For CSPAN2 Vice President Pence Mike Bloomberg Others At AIPAC Policy Conference 20240713

The 2020 election controlled the house, senate and presidency of the United States. Democrats battle over the nominee, who will they choose and whats at stake for the u. S. Israel relationship. This is impact 2020. Please welcome host of aipac National Director rob. Good morning aipac and welcome to impact 2020. Tomorrow voters and 14 states, American Samoa and american broad will head to the pool for super tuesday among those holding their primaries on tuesday are two of the nations biggest prizes. California and texas. [cheering] approximately a third of all delegates are up for grabs tomorrow. This morning we have an opportunity to hear from some of americas most wellknown and respected political authorities, we will help us make sense of a rapidly changing political environment. Please welcome attorney political commentator and recovery politician. [applause] no stranger to the aipac stage, the clinton pinkin campaign str. One of the republican parties, Brad Todd Carmack and last but certainly not least threetime republican president ial Campaign Communication director alice stewart. Thank you all for joining us. Before we jump in it worth reminding everybody they do not rate or endorse candidates we do however, encourage our members and all of you to find out where the candidates stand on the u. S. Real relationship to be politically active and to get out and vote. The views expressed this morning are those of our panelists and theirs alone, they do not represent the views of aipac. Without qualify her out of the way, lets get started. To keep us on track and on time, we have nine minutes on the timer in that topic is a fight for the democratic president ial nomination. This past saturday joe biden scored a big win in your home state of South Carolina. What is your assessment and what will happen tomorrow. Thank god for South Carolina. [laughter] first of all. [applause] thank you Anderson Cooper for that question. I think South Carolina is going to be a springboard for joe biden and i caution people, you cannot determine who the democratic nominee is so black people vote to britis extremelyy i we say my mom and her friends determine who the nominee will be. South carolina is a diverse state and we got to the state, him in the super tuesday were expected to do wel do well virg, north carolina, texas, arkansas, alabama. And we will see what happens from there. This race will go to milwaukee for sure. Tomorrow Michael Bloomberg will be on the ballot for the first time after spending close to half a billion dollars on advertising, how will Michael Bloomberg do and what your assessment . Thank you for having me back, i love aipac and moist glad to be here. Since i was in college, when youre an old part like me i want to see your [bleep] back here like me. Bloomberg, i think you got is something terrific. I think his debate, not so much. I think now with the emergence of joe biden a candidate that can put together a diverse coalition. We knew bernie could, he put a lot of liberals and hispanics. Ive worked for candidates who won the caucuses and primaries, but the diversity from the white to the transition, i care a lot. We have to see, not only can he get votes can he put together a diverse coalition. He did in new york, the most diversity in america. Can he do that in the democratic primary . I think Vice President biden is in the driver seat. What i want to see most important we in my home state of texas, bernie will win california. He will dominate, he is a great organization. Hes been leading in the polls in texas. He could slingshot around bernie given the momentum he picked up from saturday night. Saturday night speech, if you did not see him, i commend you. He is a guy a lot of people look forward for tactical reasons. Saturday night he gave democrats to follow love with him. In democrats need that, its powerful and if you believe we need healing in unity and if you believe weve had enough of what mr. Trump gives us, as the catholic church, enough of that joke is doing alternative. Let me ask you a quick followup. Pete buttigieg dropped out of the race, what impact will that happen . Where do folks go . E1 iowa and was out before super tuesday. Its extraordinary. I think some of the early votes are locked in, 2 Million People have already voted, 700,000 in texas. I think that will move the momentum even more because i think a lot of those were looking for healing moderation, unity and if you want reform but you dont want revolution then you are for pete and those people tend to go more for joe. So you wrote a great book and that you describe different architects of voters that voted for donald trump in 2016 any focus in particular on five swing states in the midwest, do you see the similarities between what donald trump did in any of the candidates running on the democratic side . My coauthor interviewed people all over, one thing that attracted a lot of donald Trump Supporters in the primary and the republican side that he did not like the Republican Party very much, that made republicans willing to nominate him. I think you see that was Bernie Sanders, the democratic primary voters dont see much. Its not so much they should be ashamed of we all have a smart phone and it makes a smart enough to pick her own. I think all the biden supporters who are trying to usher in a Bernie Movement might want to check the role because trying to stop bernie might enable him. Is Bernie Sanders the presumptive nomadi nominee . He is not the presumptive nominee. I see this going all the way to milwaukee. Saying that Bernie Sanders or anyone is a presumptive nominee, if i were going to bake a cake and i only hold the exit but out of the fridge. We still have a long way to go, i think the democratic primary has an recalibration over the past few days certainly would joe biden doing so well in Pete Buttigieg getting out. Where will Pete Buttigieg his people go, people will go based on the ideology and the more moderate will go towards joe biden preview have to keep in mind that Pete Buttigieg has a strong younger audience and voters to support him, those may tend to go to Elizabeth Warren based on the Younger Generation and may not be on board with joe biden. I think there is still so much in the year end about to be considered. I just got back at midnight from arkansas having worked there all we can. People their support joe biden for a lot of reasons, its a more moderate with a yellow dog democrat state as it used to be and hes working his relationship and the legacy and certainly the relationships that they have with the clintons in arkansas. They gravitate toward. Bernie sanders worried a lot of people, speaking with my democratic friends, we cannot let this happen and what i do agree is what we heard Pete Buttigieg say in one of the debates, and the midterms, a lot of people, certainly the aoc in the very far left candidates were running along with bernie because he was giving them support. Now they are running away because they realize hes a viable candidate in the danger of that. We see more democrats who thought the bernie train was fine because he galvanized the voters but they realize the danger if he were to become the nominee. We have a little bit of time left. What do you think after super tuesday, do you think there will be more candidates leading the contest . I hope so. There should be two candidates that need to find Something Else to do. To be completely honest i tell people, i saw this yesterday on cnn. It is a twoperson race. Its a joe biden, Bernie Sanders race and two people and three egos are in the race. We just have to figure out what Elizabeth Warren will do i dont know single state she wins and i think she gets beat by Bernie Sanders in Amy Klobuchar will win on super tuesday but she performed worse than Pete Buttigieg voters which is really bad. [laughter] and Michael Bloomberg is a half a billion dollars boiler. He does not want a single state on super tuesday. He can give me the money. One thing on the bloomberg, speaking with people, the ads are great because you can get a message with no pushback. Now he is getting pushback. We are hearing how is having difficulty with minority voters buddies having difficulty communicating with rural voters. If you cant communicate your in serious trouble. Its time to move on to the next topic. Our next topic is a general election. I think you would all agree that President Trump strategy has been built around solidifying his Political Base rather than appealing to independence or suburban swing voters. Can the president when were the only base strategy. He can depending on who is going against. Lets say Bernie Sanders, i dont expect it to be. I do think a lot of people will shy away from a candidate like that. I think joe biden would be more valuable challenger but you have to keep this in mind, when this president goes around and has the rallies and when you dont see them on the news networks, speaking with people that go to these things, theres a lot of people that will go to a trump rally and they want to see what its like and get caught up in all this. But the campaign is pulling out analytics when people register. Almost 25 of people that go out are democrats or independents. They may just be coming out to kick the tires and see what its all about but the unknown story that is happening is a lot of democrats and independents are going out there and seeing what donald trump is about. If the economy is strong and he continues to peel the people away, percentage by percentage he does have a very good shot. In 2016 we had a phenomenon in that we have the two most unpopular candidates in the history of the United States politics running against each other. I dont think you have that dynamic this time. You may im hopeful. I dont think we will have that. I do think donald trump was able to do something which i dont have the audacity to explain but 53 of white voters for donald trump which is a high number and i think he has a base, 4 Million People who voted in 2012 who stayed home in 2016 and the democrats were through the 4 Million People who did not choose Hillary Clinton or donald trump. They chose the couch. Which is an alternative when youre running for office. Who can get the voters off the couch and into the voting booth, they have a chance. Donald trump was president by 100,000 voters in three states. Wisconsin, michigan and pennsylvania. It is not a widespread but you need to thread the needle. You mentioned the three key states, michigan, wisconsin and pennsylvania, those are three states in the last six president ial elections voted for the president ial nominee. Can the democratic get the nominee states back and what does that have to do to do that . You start with the blue wall but i keep receipts, trump won michigan plus pennsylvania plus wisconsin, 14 million votes, his margin was precisely 77744. Rounded up to 100. Im going to find all of them, im coming to your door. The guy pulled off theres people off there that want to to get it. Of course they can, look at the 2018 midterm, you have the largest turnout since women got the right to vote which i think some of my republican friends regret. The most diverse field democrats have ever put together, more women and more people in the most moderate field democrats ever put out. They wanted michigan and elected a terrific woman governor, they wanted pennsylvania, where we ran with the strategy of high turnout, high diversity, moderate candidates, we picked up 41 seats and not one ran for revolution. No healthcare, no Prescription Drug prices, democrats have a model and a strategy in it when the biggest landslide that they have one since watergate. 44 years. Obviously they are right now, democrats in 2019 fight away, one in kentucky, they one in the wee zana where they hunted us down with dogs. So yes we can, thats amazing to me he should have this teed up but is highly vulnerable. What is the battleground state and can the present hold on to the important industrial upper states. Paul would be right if there was a moderate left. Were not talking about the Democratic Party in 2008. Thats why donald trump has a good chance to carry the great lakes state again and hold on to florida. Because these running against the Democratic Party in 2020 and not the Democratic Party 15 years ago. He is not running against steve which is what the mayor would be to the suburban democrats who won. He has to carry one group of voters, gary johnson voters, if he carried his voters he would win with a cushion and all the states he needs to win. Theres a lot of suburban voters that have a question about his calls. Lets moved on to our next topic. I know its a topic that a lot of people in this room care deeply about which is the u. S. Israel relationship. Theres a lot of people in this room, many of them democrats who are concerned about where Bernie Sanders stands on the issue of the u. S. Israel relationship and the policy of israel. How concerned should they be . I wish senator sanders was here, i think theyll audit come here and its a mistake not to come here. The motion that aipac is monolithic. That black folk, no, people are complicated and they burst and so is organization. I think senator sanders audit, make his case. More importantly he needs to go back to israel. They have a really good Child Literacy Program in israel. In the 1970s Hillary Clinton copied it. She brought that to arkansas in the 70s. The is really Child Literacy Program, they dont put people in jail, there were free press, strong environmental laws, all the things we believe in as progressive democrats, i have found in israel, in fact i was there in 2015 and is really socialized medicine save my life, is saved my life, i think bernie would love that. [applause] as a progressive, it has its problems, i dont think youve noticed United States, we have ours. But it does not make me hate america. It makes me want to make sure that relationship feels caught. Its kind of as if somebody came to the United States in the 1960s and was still talking about what the United States was like in the 1960s when were in 2020. But four years ago, you organized a group of africanamerican leaders to send a letter to the Democratic Platform Committee urging them to pass a proisrael platform. [applause] how optimistic were you that the party will pass a platform this year . Very optimistic im pretty sure it will happen, theres a really weird gap between israel and the Democratic Party in immunoassay that does not exist. It is fascinating to watch how people want to drive wedges between certain groups in the country. We talk about Bernie Sanders and he actually lost the democratic primary in 2016 by 4 million votes. All this is not a losing threat, it was a plurality, he will not have the majority, he might 30 his way to the nomination, but that still a long way to go on back on the committee this year. Trying to speak a very proisrael platform, i have nothing that shows me otherwise. Everything in the Democratic Party is a fight, as what i say im not part of an organized party, im a democrat. Well see what happens but im sure we will stay on track. We will take great solace and look for your leadership on the committee. [applause] doing pis anticipate it beina general election. Yes it biggest of the trump sanders. When you have two polar opposites on the very important issue, your President Trump who has been a supporter of israel, he is moving the embassy to jerusalem recognizing jerusalem as the capital. Certainly what he has done with recognizing sovereignty and most important the one of the first things he did was the iran nuclear deal. With the tremendous signs of support for pro is really movements and in your Bernie Sanders who call this movement they get in critical of opposition and refuses to come to the table and explain the position. If those other options, it will be an issue and it should be. At the same time joe biden does not get a pass, he does not have a tremendous record when it comes to this issue. Either way we do have an example of President Trump and not just talking about his support for following through. I want to give you a chance to answer the question. Theres never been a president history of the United States of america that is stronger than president donald trump. Not once, not once. [cheering] every ally the United States have in the middle east knows donald trump stance with israel first and foremost. That will be the bar that is set for democrats in the selection. Whoever they nominate and whoever they nominate in coming elections. President trump says its standard and i think the Republican Party will be unmoved. Thank you. Our next topic is the congressional election. All 435 house seats and 35 senate seats are up for grabs as we know republicans currently control the senate and democrats a house, what impact do you see who the democrat choose as a nominee having on theyre down ballot in the congressional races. I think every democratic nominee for all the marginal races and most in the senate, they are defending suburban moderate. These will be the places where Bernie Sanders is deeply unpopular. It Bernie Sanders is the democratic nominee and i think he has the best chance of all the candidates, im not a democrat like these two geniuses to my right. I dont know if i like that. Thats like saying blusher heart and South Carolina. [laughter] Bernie Sanders the fascist Movement Among democrats is going to happen the moment Bernie Sanders is the nominee. They will run from them as fast as they can. I think the houses and play in the republicans make it 54. [cheering] 55 in the u. S. Senate. France book is excellent in one of the things he talks about is the suburban voters. Just to put in context, there are still swing voters in america, as the white working class, collegeeducated white folks have moved to the democrats. Barack obama politician lost educated white voters by 14. Democrats won the overwhelmingly. Its college, educated, white, woman. Is there any collegeeducated white women here . I married 131 years ago by internal life, every waking moment is hattaway please a collegeeducated white woman. Thats the only thing i got. And theyre running from trump, they handed nancy pelosi the gavel. The first time in my life when they took the majority through the moderate wing. I think that you will see the same thing with trump on the ballot, he polarizes those and brightens and for good reason and they have come over and if the democrats do it right and i think they will, they will reach out and welcome the former republicans into their tent and i think that is what it will come down to, you will see a lot of republicans trying to unhinge himself from trump as they see these women who used to be the base have now left. Im about to ask about suburban white women. [laughter] we figured out how i could chime in. I dont have anything. Will republicans still control the senate and what will happen in the house . I do this on tv all the time which is never answered the question im asked. Let me stick up for my democrats in israel, theres people who heard of the iron dome and i think that thanks obama theres a 31 billiondollar mou that was returned. We have to make sure they stay for further away from a Nuclear Weapon and im not sure we have clarity on that whether orange or whatever. The democrats will stay in control the house, nancy pelosi will remain the speaker, the framing part is broadside, i would agree, there may be seek to gain and it will be a tough sleigh for democrats but i will tell you this, in arizona particular i think you have a seat flip but i dont see too many bright spots for democrats. Were almost out of time but what do you think will happen in the house in the senate . We have 435 completely different races when it comes to the house and each will be based on what is going on in the certain community. I will handed to democrats in the midterm election, aoc in the midterms and engaging them in getting them to run and vote, hats off to them, they did a tremendous job, republicans are working on that and others. Theres a big difference, two words to describe the difference between 2018 and 2020. Donald trump, with him on the ticket that will help galvanize republicans and they say get off the couch and go vote, you see endorsement after endorsement supporting republican candidates in the house and senate and with him on the ticket that will be a big factor. We have less than a minute left but i want to ask one final question which is our final topic, bulls predictions. I will ask each of you to make a bold prediction of something that will happen this november. Im not in the prediction business because they thought Hillary Clinton would be the president of the United States. As we go to january we will be inaugurating joe biden and kamala harris. This is not a prediction its a certainty, thursday july 16, the day the democrat gives his or hers acceptance a trust. On that day donald trump called a press conference at maralago and will dump it or put haley on the ticket to get those. You watch, guaranteed. January 2021 nancy pelosi will not be the speaker of the house. [applause] if donald trump is reelected the speaker will be Kevin Mccarthy and if Bernie Sanders is elected it will be whoever aoc pics. What is your prediction . We will have a wave i could never seen on the right and the left into what he said, we will see a female on the ticket, talking whether on the right or the left, might be number one position or number two, i do expect to see a woman there. [cheering] unfortunately we are out of time but i want to think our panelist. [applause] reminding you to find out where the candidates stand to support the proisrael candidates of your choice and to get out there and vote this november. Thank you. Please welcome president of republic of colombia. Thank you so much. It is a great honor for me to be here in a pack, its a great pleasure for me to speak before you to talk about columbia. We are a nation that has learned the value of resilience. We are a nation that has learned to turn every single adversity into the most important opportunity. Maybe 20 years ago if i were standing here you wouldve heard a speech of a country that was facing major turmoils. But in the last 20 years, columbia has turned its story into a success story. [applause] we have expanded life expectan expectancy, we have increased income per capita, we have improved our security. We made our economy a vibrant economy, example in less than america and strengthen our democracy. Today, we have become a member of the oecd. And we will continue to embrace those values to look towards the future. 18 months ago i had the privilege of having the older and columbia, until the columbia people that we wanted to work under three principles. The rule of law, defending the private sector and private initiative in making Small Business part of the engine of the transformation. But we also made a big call. 19 months we have not made tremendous progress. Today there colombian economy is growing above the world average, the regional average, the oecd average, that is taken place because we defend Free Enterprise as part of social transformation. [applause] we have also reached in 2191 of the lowest homicide rates in 40 years with the double of the population. We have reached the highest result ever on terrorism and agricultural exports. But most important, we are making a social change. In just 18 months, 80000 students are going to free Public Education in the universities because we believe education makes a big change. [applause] we have received bipartisan and bicameral support in the United States and we have received a multiparty support in israel for the division that columbia has and we know that if we share those values, we have to cooperate, and we have to Work Together. Thats the reason why, with israel, since 1949 we have built a lasting relationship. And this year we will put in place a motion to Free Trade Agreement with israel so that we can move investment entrepreneurship, science, technology and agricultural development. [applause] the same happened with the United States. We build a Free Trade Agreement helping us export more, reach new markets and opportunities to colombians in different places in the country but they also share the values of security because they see security as a democratic value and as a social asset and we have received from the u. S. And israel support to fight terrorism because we know terrorism is an expression of corruption and we have also made clear that we will work with our allies to fight every single terrorist organization in the world. [applause] thats the reason a few weeks ago we had a summit with other latin american countries and we decided to adopt the terrorist list from the United States and European Union and it is to make clear in organizations such as hezbollah needs to be destroyed like the dissidents he, like hamas because they d we do not e terrorism as an expression. And thats the same reason why today we want to see the values of fairness taking place. We have to learn from our allies have worked together to provide opportunities for those who are impoverished. We have to allow kids from lowincome families have access to nutrition but they also know that only happens if we share the values of innovation and this here with the United States we will increase the Technical Cooperation on those funds and also be able to work with israel to have a colombian Innovation Office that will take the knowledge to be applied in colombia because that is the work that has to be built upon between allies. [applause] i also want to express to you that the history of colombia has been enriched by the history of migration. We have received my grades that have made a difference and in years of distress and sorrow, columbia had the doors open to immigration to columbia. They built a very Important Companies in the 20th century. The first bank we have advances in medicine with the help of those migrants. And today when we look back we know that migration has produced a very important part and thats the reason why today instead of getting onto the path of antiimmigration which supported the venezuelan brothers and sisters that have come to columbia because they have a horrible dictatorship. [applause] dot dictatorship in venezuela has traces of antisemitism and theyve opened the doors for hezbollah to operate in venezuela to support the crimes they continually commits against the population. So thats the reason why my visit to aipac is a call for you to look at latin america and to see that the value of democracy and rule of law have to be protected and will only be protected if we together are also working so that the dictatorship in venezuela comes to an end and we can see continued progress in the country for the sake of the rest of the latin american nation. [applause] and its our duty to see that the political battles we face in the world today are not about fights between right and left. Its about demagogues versus demagogues. They are the ones that build the path to power generating social conflict. They also demonize the private sector and at the end they destroy the values we have defended. And there are those that teach and work with society so that we know we can get success only if there is hard work but also fiscal prudence and we cant ensure every penny is invested in those who are in need us we have to defeat the demagogues and promote the pedagogues in the way that we approach politics. [applause] we have been a nation with hard work and with the help of the international community. With the United States and israel theyve been very supportive of our transformations. And we will continue to embrace those values come and we will continue to defend them in every instance in the International Arena whether it is bilateral or multilateral. I hope this year to visit israel to put in motion the Free Trade Agreement. [applause] and to advise israel to invest in colombia. We also want experts to reach this market because we believe it is through friendship. Its a way to recognize this story and also to make clear that for the challenges we face, we must more than ever continue to be aligned with the principles of democracy, because when we see diplomacy without principles, that is hypocrisy. When we see power without principles, that is an expression. We are here to recognize that the values we have embraced or the values that will take us to a better state. Thank you very much. [applause] please welcome the former United States senator. After serving in the senate more than a dozen years in the United States senate, in the spring of 1991, i got a call from president bush, the elder, and he said rudy, i need you to go to ethiopia. I knew why he was calling. By 1991, ive been involved with the ethiopian jury for 20 years. My own family fled from nazi germany when i was just 2yearsold. What an opportunity now for me, a jewish immigrant, to negotiate the freedom of the ethiopian. I understood the difference that [applause] i understood the difference of 50 years have made, how jews have been powerless against the nazis but now the poorest of the poor stud with the strength of the government and the state of israel as partners. [applause] in late may of 1991, our negotiations succeeded in operation solomon occurred. In just 36 hours israel airlifted 14,325 Ethiopian Jews to freedom. [applause] boy did those planes come in, go out, come back. It was quite a scene. And while it made international news, many people didnt realize and dont realize that israel spent decades inside ethiopia and neighboring sudan helping them escape israel. They conducted hundreds of operations across air, land and sea smuggling the jewish president to freedom. Their work was dangerous and only possible with the partnership of Ethiopian Jews inside the refugee camps for smuggled people across the region. One such brave souls responsible for the freedom of many as 900 of the fellow Ethiopian Jews went on to live and are living a successful life. Today he leads a Career Center organization helping to guide Ethiopian Jews into the startup nation. Hes a hero. [applause] and today we learned the story of his bravery and triumph. [applause] my grandfather was a rabbi and leader of the jewish state. He taught me if you save one person coming to save the whole world. Growing up we pray that the day would come. For most this was just a dream. A [inaudible] one day my friends and i decided we must lead ethiopia and go to israel [inaudible] we thought if we traveled. After this we walked and there was no food or water with us. It took days to reach the refugee camp in south sudan. Death was everywhere. Every day they took the lives of the young involved. Sometimes they would bury ten, 20, 30 people. We knew that if we stayed apparently would be buried, too. We traveled around a nearby refugee camp. We searched and searched but didnt find anyone. We looked to see who was sitting in front of the door and this is how we found those that want to help tha but they hadnt seen tm for months. Some people were starting to make plans to return to ethiopia that we said no, you cant go back. We will help you find them. For a whole month we waited. Finally, one night we saw the light approaching us in the dark. They told me you need to go back and bring us so i knew the journey wasnt over. Each vent began a difficult journey. There were people and children and pregnant women. We would travel at night through the checkpoints. Still it was sometimes because they simply enjoyed it. I led more than 901 night they came to warn me that if i stayed they would cut and kill me so it was my turn to go and to finally see the land of my people. I was finally home. For me, israel is everything. Freedom to be who you want them to live a jewish wife. It took a lot of opportunity that i had never forgotten where i came from or how i got it. It was only the beginning of my journey. Please welcome. [applause] thank you, very much. The thing just one part of the story and there is more to be done. Today im working through my work [applause] and nearly a third of the way they are already. [applause] i would also like to say that this is a very long and difficult journey to. None of us would have ever finished the journey without the help. [applause] [inaudible] [applause] you are a true hero and a dear friend. Thank you for all you do to support israel. Thank you very much. [applause] please welcome the former mayor of new york city and democratic president ial candidate Michael Bloomberg. Thank you. Good morning. I cant hear you. Good morning. I cant tell you how glad i am to be here at aipac. [applause] [cheering] and i dont think ive ever talked to as big a crowd certainly not one id respect that as much as this one so thank you all for doing this. Israel is a small but resilient and surrounded by adversaries and if you caught the last couple of president ial debates you know that i can empathize. [applause] let me thank the chair for inviting to join all of you today and they particularly want to congratulate the new president and wish her well as she begins one of the easiest jobs in washington. I dont know whether congratulations or condolences are in order, but good luck. Let me also say hello to all of the new yorkers in the room. I hope all of you voted correctly for the candidate back in 2001 and 2005 and 2009 it if you didnt cut you will have the chance in 2020. And i want to thank all of you for being here especially the young people in this room. America needs your voice is more than ever and your presence here and the identity that he printed classrooms and campuses give me hope because when we try to make strong supporters feel unwelcome and social justice conversations your refusal reminds us of the courage and integrity that we need in our political discourse. Dont stop. [applause] aipac is one of the great things in my life. Thank you for what you do. It isnt. The work all of you are doing to support israel is very personal to me. Growing up, my mother was our temple president and kept a kosher house but my parents taught me judaism is much more than rituals. Its also about living our values. From my parents generation of realizing the dream of the jewish holy land and its about reviewing the miracle that is now the modern state of israel. [applause] i went to see the center in israel that we named after my father. And a [applause] during the operation protected age i traveled to israel and they were not afraid to fly. [applause] in my own little way i wanted to show the world friends of israel will never even liked fear or terrorism keep us out of the holy land. That is true and they faced attacks from gaza and its true when rockets rained down and its still true in 2020 as rockets continue to be launched in cities and towns across the jewish state. [applause] for as long as israel has existed, terrorists have threatened our homeland. Guess what, the state of israel, the jewish people and the Pro Israel Community will never back down in the face of hatred. [applause] if im elected president i can promise you i will always have israel back because israel has the right to defend itself by itself and that means i will never approach conditions on military aid no matter what government is in power. [applause] that includes 3. 3 billion Security Assistance and thanks to the 2016 memorandum of understanding israel is on the front lines countering american enemies in the region sharing valuable intelligence and experience with us so conditioning foreign aid would only impair their ability to keep himself safe, but the ability to keep ourselves safe as well. After all, American Security is inextricably linked. [applause] and as president i give you my word i will never, ever compromise on the safety and security of israel. [applause] i als also promise to always opd the movements and efforts to delegitimize and punish the state of israel. [applause] i will stand up to efforts to hold israel to a double standard of the United Nations and while i believe it should have been done as part of a peace negotiation ive always supported the embassy, moving the embassy to jerusalem and the capital of the jewish state. [applause] and as president i will leave it there because that is where it belongs. [applause] i will also never stop working for a peace plan that has at its foundation to states, one jewish and one palestinian achieved through direct negotiations because israel must remain a prosperous, secure democracy and they deserve democracy and opportunity as well. [applause] bipartisan support for israel has been a defining feature of american politics since 1948. The relationship between the two countries has been so strong precisely because it transcends partisan politics both here and in israel and because it is built on shared values. Freedom and democracy. Lalaw and justice, integrity and compassion innovation and ingenuity. But in the recent years we have begun to see cracks in that bipartisanship and that is deeply disturbing. Unfortunately, not all of my fellow democrats in the race have attended a conference. One of them spent 30 years boycotting this event and as you heard by now they called the aipac a racist platform but let me tell you, he said wrong. [applause] this is the gathering of 20,000 supporters of every religious denomination, ethnicity, faith, color, Sexual Identity and Political Party calling it a racist platform is an attempt to discredit those voices, intimidate people from coming. Wcoming. Weekend that u. S. Israel relationship. The reality is aipac doesnt fuel hatred. They work to combat it and the violence bu that it can produce. [applause] if more elected officials spoke to the people here, they would understand that. [applause] ive always believed you should meet with people who may disagree with you and listen to them. But theres one thing i know about jewish people is that we do not agree on anything. We cant even agree on who is the funniest new yorker just for the record its probably not me but i did it here in curb your enthusiasm and through weary david out of new york. I dont remember what he did but im sure he deserved it. Seriously, strong supporters of israel, we dont need to agree with everything in an israeli ti government does, and i certainly dont. And i was proud american patriots we do not need to support everything our government does either and i definitely dont. Differences of opinion are healthy even on big issues. Let me give you an example. I was against iran nuclear deal. But because it should have done more to address the Ballistic Missile program because we never should have unfrozen their money without mandating. Our connection must never sunset. [applause] also i know that unilaterally abandoning the deal rather than leaving our allies to strengthen it is tantamount to giving the mission to relaunch its Nuclear Program and after years of compliance, iran is once again marching toward the development of Nuclear Weapon capability. As president i will work to make the strongest deal possible to constrain the regime aggression and territorial ambition and put an end to the Nuclear Program forever because the world must never allow iran to threaten the region with a nuclear attack. [applause] the larger point im makin thatg is we can disagree with specific positions on both sides of the aisle without resorting to personal attacks were trying to claim israel as the exclusive domain of one Political Party. Its not and whenever any elected official suggests otherwise we should be unequivocally in condemning them because israel should ever be the for people that they kick around. [applause] maintaining bipartisan support for israel is more important now than its ever been in my lifetime because today we are confronted by the sites that we thought we would never see outside of all blackandwhite newsreels. Synagogues attacked, jews murdered, neonazis marching by torch light not in some other country thats right here in the United States. Tree of life was the synagogue at my sister attendethat my sise lived in pittsburgh many years ago. She has many fond memories of her time there so it was a tragic day for her and our whole family and i know there are many people in this audience who have been personally affected by the tragedy as well. Since that attack theyve been targeted in more than a dozen synagogues across america. Bullets ripped through a store in jersey city. The windows of the synagogue were smashed during Rosh Hashanah and jews have been beaten in the streets. The fact is attacks on jews have been taking place with horrifying regularity and here is why thats relevant to the mission goes when hatred against jews rises, so to does the only jewish state and israel always winds up paying the price. Its not enough to stand up to their adversaries in the middle east. We need to also stand up to antisemitism anywhere including here in the United States. [applause] when we look around america it is clear that the we are facingt only another epidemic that a rising tide enough hatred with large. Theyve been scapegoated for other different, lesser fully america and im also talking about immigrants, muslims, black americans, women and the lgbtq community. I remember visiting a couple of years ago walking the same path our ancestors charged down to the gas chambers. When i think of the holocaust when reminded of the teaching of Jonathan Sachs from Great Britain to hate that starts with the jews never ends there but they also know what starts with others so often in with us. We need to stand up against all bigotry and hatred. [applause] for 12 years i led the largest and most diverse city in the nation and i was never prouder than when i stood in the shadow of the statue of liberty and argued muslim new yorkers had he every right to build a mosque anywhere in the city including near the world trade center. [applause] that was the right thing to do and it was also the smart thing to do. Our city was safer because we declared loudly and clearly that everyone was welcome a new new york that matter who they love or whom they prayed in a recente recent years we have seen hate crimes increase which raises the question what has changed there is no single answer and no single Political Party that is entirely to blame. Antisemitism isnt the domain of any one group. It can be found on both the right and the left on town squares and there is one fact that we cannot ignore president ial leadership matters. It sets the tone and its either inclusive or exclusive incendiary or charming. I believe the only way we can make progress as a country is by bringing people together, not tearing them apart. [applause] i know all of our states are linked in as director Martin Luther king jr. Said we are all tied together in a single garment of destiny so i want to be clear if elected president i will strongly condemn antisemitism whenever and wherever it appears and americans wilin theamericans wio choose between supporting israel and supporting the values here at home. [applause] i will defend both because i know that they have always been linked in a strong relationship with israel is based on our values. At this moment in our history we are called to stand up not for Political Party but for our country and our values and the tradition of bipartisan support that is always defined our relationship with israel. This is about defining the meaning of america and recognizing all groups that have been marginalized and excluded, scapegoated, divide into far worse rise and fall together. Our best hope and only hope is standing together rejecting those who try to seduce us by dividing us and uniting behind the only shield can protect us, our common values as american citizens and common humanity as gods children. [applause] that is what this moment is about and that is why im here at aipac because the people that this room can help lead the way bringing america back together. And heres the bottom line when america is strong, israel is strong because as all of you know, it is true when america is strong on israel is strong and when america isnt, neither is israel so thank you all for everything you are doing to make the relationship between the United States and israel grossed stronger than ever before and i hope you know i will be standing with you every step of the way. Thank you and god bless. [applause] please welcome aipac Deputy Director of policy and Government Affairs david gillette. Good morning. Today i want to discuss one of the most important aspects of the policy conference. Not the premier though that was pretty cool. I am talking about what we will do tomorrow. Pushing a bipartisan agenda that will move the policy and will help keep israel safe in america strong. As weve already seen on this stage for ally faces very real threats on its borders over the horizon and in the international community. This years lobbying agenda addresses these threats specifically legal advocate for ensuring assistance to israel without added conditions extending the arms embargo on iran that is set to expire later this year and standing with israel against the illegitimate assault at the International Criminal court. It is a core piece of our work, the cornerstone of the ability to defend itself and the key element of Americas National Security Strategy in the middle east. Annual Security Assistance to israel can never be taken for granted especially when some on the political extremes are calling to condition. On tuesday we will answer these calls. Reminding our elected officials why this support is so essential to both america and israel. The jewish state faces growing threats and helps ensure that israel can defend itself by itself and we know america is stronger when israel is secure. Confronting the same threats and enemies that we face. So, tuesday we will urge congress to support a robust foreign aid bill. We will support 3. 3 billion in military assistance to israel and 500 million in input and assistance to support lifesaving Missile Defense programs like the iron dome. Any political conditions on this support would threaten the security and damage american interests. As israel faces growing threats from all directions now is the time to strengthe strengthen the and not weaken it. The secon second issue on the aa addresses one of the many threats posed by iran on october 18 of this year, the United Nations arms embargo against well and. Think about that. We cannot allow the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism to import and export advanced weapons. Iran is the principal obstacle and stability in the middle east. Its military and terrorist proxies are responsible for injuring and killing thousand of americans and we all know it is working to destroy the state of israel. Removing restrictions on the arms transfers only emboldened the regime adding fuel to the fire in an already dangerous middle east. Tuesday we will lobby for a bipartisan resolution in the senate and a bipartisan letter in the house. They urged the administration to extend the arms embargo and to make it clear to the world but existing sanctions on the weapons transfers will remain in place. Finally, the third item on the agenda deals with another emerging threat, the threat thro israel and the United States. The icc was created from last resort for the most serious war crimes specifically focusing on countries lacking the robust judicial systems to bring criminals to justice. But today the Court May Take action against those america and israel to countries with worldclass judiciaries. As noble, the court has been politicized as it threatens to isolate and delegitimize the jewish state. This is the exact scenario that americans in israel he leaders have feared. Its why since the creation of israel and the United States led by democratic and republican president s clinton, bush, obama and trump have all refused to join the court and expose their citizens to the jurisdiction. We must be clear as israel is singled out facing ongoing assaults by International Organizations like the icc america and israel must stand together. On tuesday we will support bipartisan letters in both the house and senate addressed to secretary of state urging continued opposition to the illegitimate action making it clear to the world that the United States stands with our allies, israel. [applause] to work each and every one of you does on behalf of the relationship is absolutely critical. Your involvement with aipac, your attendance at the policy conference, your relationship with members of congress and your lobbying on capitol hill, your commitment and action are key. They are the foundation of bipartisan support in congress and they are the reason that the u. S. Israel relationship will remain strong today, tomorrow and forever. Our work with Congress Tomorrow and throughout the course of the year makes all the difference supporting Security Assistance, extending the arms embargo and pushing back against International Efforts to weaken israel and so much more. So i look forward to seeing all oof you on capitol hill tomorro. Thank you and good luck. [applause] my family is from syria and we have a strong bond with israel. Its something you need and grow up with it something our children grow up with and many of us arrived because of unfortunate conditions in the countries where they are living. We are so happy to be somewhere and are able to live freely. From every part of america everybody was there for the same reason, to support israel. What could be better than that. The first time i came to aipac the members of my community and the policy conference over 300 attended. Weve become more aware we do have a voice and we need to exercise that voice and we have opportunities to seek what they feel and make some changes if you dont speak up especially when it comes to israel we are entitled to raise our voice and speak out and that is why im here at aipac. [applause] please welcome aipac activist and members of the northeast council. Please welcome the Senate Foreign Relations Committee member senator cory booker. [applause] hello. Good morning. You will have to help me out a little bit. I grew up in a church where it wais so important. Good morning. That is really good. If i were still running for president i would pass the collection plate right now. It is so good to be here in front of a crowd that is so representative of who we are. There are people all over the nation. There are people from all over the political spectrum. Today we are united unequivocally and resolutely we believe in the state of israel. [applause] we believe in the unshakable bond between our countries. We believe that israel is our indispensable ally and its increasingly dangerous reason they think the region and complex world. We believe in the right of israel to defend itself against aggressors and terrorists. [applause] and we will stand with our ally in their defense and fully supports them ensuring that they have the means and the resources to provide for their security and ours. [applause] i am the senator from new jers jersey. And i have to say i am so grateful to know there is so much in this room. I want to thank all of those committed to the movement that travel so far down to participate in this important conflict. I want to give my gratitude to one of my constituents in particular, the chairman of the board of aipac and im grateful to him and the entire board for the invitation to speak today. Now, i live in newark new jers jersey. I love to hear the cheering over there. The diaspora is wonderful. As many of you know, it is the home of the rabbi prins. For those of you that dont know, he was an extraordinary rabbi stood steadfast against the nazis and was expelled from berlin in the 1930s. In the United States, he saw the injustice is traveling around the country fighting for the support of israel. He saw the challenges of injustice of segregation in the soutsouth and joined with civil rights advocates knowing that it was critical for the jewish peoples struggle for freedom and th for the struggle of black americans. It was because of his conviction and activism and leadership that they had the distinction. In 1963, he was chosen as one of only five speakers to speak on the march on washington. He spoke in the unenviable position of being right before Martin Luther king. But his speech was profound. He spoke about the dangers of being silent at the face of injustice and he also talked about the urgency and the importance of us to understand the bond between us and the strength o that comes from our unity. At the time i believe has come to Work Together for it isnt enough to Work Together. Its not enough to pray together, to Work Together in that moment. It is our call and our strength and hope and it lies in our ability to come together and for people to stand together resolutely to Work Together. I say this because i have been all over this country speaking to what i believe is the challenge in this time. It isnt a moment about left or right. Its a moment of fuss going right and wrong and too much of america right now we are a nation increasingly divided. When it comes to our purpose, we need a revival in america of grace. We need to understand that patriotism and love of country and you cannot love your country unless you love your fellow countrymen and women. Love is not sentimentality. It is a call for sacrifice and struggle and four working beyond our differences to find a Common Ground to affirm the truth that we share common values and we have a common purpose and common cause and thus we must stand on Common Ground. Im here today to say doing this urgency to reaffirm the truth that america is support for israel is Common Ground. From the fact it has very little to do with what person is in power in either country. It has to do with the truth of who we are, how we treat each other, how much we are willing to sacrifice for each other , how deep our love is. As a United States senator, i see it is my obligation and duty to protect the bipartisan nature between israel and the United States. [applause] and i call on all of us no matter what your party or race or religion, i call on all of u us, everyone in this room and outside of it who cares deeply about preserving the essential bond between the two nations i call on you for those that insidiously try to politicize the partnership for their own gain or to go against each other because to gather that moment in that time together we have work to do there is no greater illustration of that and that ancient evil on the rise of antisemitism. We see here at home when jews are killed and their synagogue in pittsburgh and the Kosher Grocery store in new jersey we see the hatred rising around the globe with an urgency before us that we to gather have work to do. As long as the people of israel have to live under the constant threat of indiscriminate violence whether emanating to stabilize directions from iraq and lebanon and syria or hezbollah or hamas or other terrorist groups we must as a matter of human value stand for Israel Security and defense. [applause] together, together, we have more to do as long as Israeli Citizens live under the horrifying threat we must continue our support for the iron dome of the Israel Defense system for cooperation and Key Technology and resources that is central for israels defense i will not equivocate or hesitate i will always support those partnerships because together we have work to do. [applause] so with the Foreign Relations committee to try to block aid to israel a dangerous boycott with the campaigns to undermine and isolate israel with the complicity we must always speak out and stand against them together we have work to do. Like you, have long advocated for a two state solution because its the only pathway to a lasting peace. Those of us who gather together here know what we stand for is safety, security, and the right to exist as a jewish state stand for the Human Dignity and the human rights of safety and selfdetermination of the palestinian people. [applause] our Jewish Values, the love of neighbors and the jewish value that sends cheney and black and white and christian values this is why they died in mississippi. They are Jewish Values. It is core to the very ideals of what it means to be human. The jewish value that who will be for me if i am only for myself . These are Jewish Values. [applause] it is a song sung during the high holidays. That my house be a house of prayer for many nations. These are Jewish Values they are human values. They are the pathway to peace and security for all people. Lasting peace will be achieved when we renounce hatred and terrorism and sit down with our neighbors with jew and muslim israel and palestinians and for job pathway over generations this is a pathway to peace and a pathway to peace and together we have work to do. But i want to say too often we talk about the conflicts and challenges but we dont celebrate the truth of israel. Its important that we note we support israel not just because it is a National Security interest but because of what it means for the world. [applause] to ensure israels security that they are empowering a democratic nation of disproportionate innovation and ingenuity to do the work literally repairing the world. Israel is helping to lead all of humanity to pioneer new technology to take on threats from Global Climate change to the looming crisis to Global Health epidemic to leave humanity out of the darkness out of the valley of the shadow of death. And nation of creativity and leadership for the greater good of all people as isaiah said light unto all nations. [applause] those are israels values and american values. This is our shared dream. Long before i was a senator my israeli friends pointed out to me this was a mountain god to see the Promised Land also the mountain that Martin Luther king spoke of in his final speech of his life when he said i have been to the mountaintop i have looked over and i have seen the Promised Land. I may not get there but i want you to know that tonight we as the people go to the Promised Land Martin Luther king went to bed that night there at the Lorraine Motel soon after he walked out onto the balcony and was slain by the assassins bullet if you go to that site today which is now a museum you will see written on a block of stone the words of the torah or the Old Testament and josephs brothers they threw him in a pit to die but he did not die in the pit he rose up to lead a nation through crisis the words are behold the dreamer let us slay him and we shall see what becomes of his dreams. Brothers and sisters what will become of the dream . The dream of our ancestors . The dream of israel and america . We have that dream in our hands now it falls on us right now here what will become of the dreams and justice for all for black and white and brown and muslim and christian israeli palestinians what will become of the dream . Will it become divided against itself . Or will we retain the dream or reclaim the hope or the promise of our ancestors who sacrificed and struggled and bled for the dreams for our watch it when we lift each other up and not tear each other down so that our generation the fill the prophecies that we will ensure that our generation righteousness like the ever flowing stream will ensure the dream of those before us of small black children and white children and brown and Muslim Children and christian children will finally join hands to be in a chorus of love we are free at last free from fear. Free from violence. Free from hate. Thats the work we must do together with love. We to gather will keep america safe we together will keep israel safe. [applause] to be that unbreakable unshakable bond yes our brothers and sisters for my faith and my hope and my love know that we will rescue the dream to ensure that israel and america remains a light. May god bless you may god bless israel may god bless all of gods children and may god bless the United States of america. [cheers and applause] thank you. As we grapple with the challenges of the 21st century israel has a real experience that we need to turn to the relationships between United States and israel are one of the most important relationships of the strongest allies in the world there is now a growing relationship and in 2014 introducing the Strategic Partnership act. How that contributes to the world in a very comprehensive bill that encompasses all of those areas in terms of cybersecurity and energy and water conservation, innovation. We could find a partner in israel. My first trip to israel i had a trip one a chance to visit the Desalination Plant and in 2014 Governor Brown signed with the state of israel one was is cooperation in terms of water technology. The intellectual capital the israel puts together to solve their own problems to be master of their own destiny is a powerful part of the relationship we could learn a lot from. We know israel the people have heard that for all while but the threats that they face on a regular basis of cyberattack has led to significant advances. If you look in all facet of our life of security and military and cybersecurity crosses all lines and we have got to realize that in order for us to have a world for our children and grandchildren this is what we need to make sure it is reinforced in our country. And to be collaborating with all of the allies with Energy Secure and Energy Independent that Climate Change will not bring havoc to our country. And then open up areas of production and then to share that experience that we have. That alliance with israel started because we shared similar ideas of democracies and individual freedom but now it has expanded. Everything you look at israel they are the leaders of the pack. As americans no matter the party to understand the importance of the us israel relationship to help israel is good for both countries. Not just israel. We have to recognize the powerhouse israel has become the economic powerhouse the technological powerhouse and look for opportunities to Work Together to benefit one another and it isnt just a one way relationship. Please welcome founder of at ease usa scott anderson. [applause] good morning. I am really honored to be here. Really it is an honor to be here. I appreciate it so much. If you have not experienced it firsthand, the idea of military combat is incomprehensible. The stress of the knowledge that your life is in constant danger, the mental and physical toll on soldiers is profound. Nearly every soldier returns changed but some struggle to reenter civilian life is difficult if not impossible. The fact war causes deep psychological trauma is not new as far back as world war i they call it shell shock but today it is ptsd. One out of five veterans of the wars of iraq and afghanistan have suffered from post Traumatic Stress studies show many soldiers showing symptoms never seek treatment and the result is a shockingly high suicide rate among veterans. The idea of even one american soldier making such a decision seems horrifying but with an average of 25 veterans per day commit suicide. Twentyfive veterans per day. I am not a veteran. I have not served our countr country, but as an american when i heard the statistics i felt compelled to act. I found it at ease usa the organization based out of omaha nebraska to help veterans and their families. To know one surprise much of the groundbreaking research being done is on one being done in israel the research was born out of desire the military service is compulsory nearly every young person is expected to serve but it isnt halfway around the world but around the corner and impacts not only soldiers but a significant number of civilians. Researchers have developed approaches to prevent ptsd some of the most important work is done at Tel Aviv University of leading that effort, a core issue of sufferers of ptsd is to trigger and in omaha we are interested in the underlying Treatment Program the person is not forced to relive the trauma and completely ground make one groundbreaking in cooperation to become Tel Aviv Universitys centers and completed the first Clinical Trial and we are almost complete the results of the the results of research completed today shows a significant reduction of symptoms. Some subjects report little to none, no symptoms. [applause] today American Veterans whose lives were overwhelmed by the effects of ptsd are taking significant steps toward recovery do to Israeli Technology. We are now among 50 american agencies working with israel including the National Institute of health and department of defense. In omaha, i remain inspired by our partners, their compassion and creativity, willingness to test new ideas, pushes us to expand our reach. Im proud to know we are using Israeli Technology to not only help nebraska veterans and address psychological needs of victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault as well as Omaha Public School children with ptsd. [applause] the Research Done in israel is impacting and saving the lives of people here in america. It is my honor to recognize someone who made this possible. Doctor abraham of Tel Aviv University. [applause] the friendship between our two countries makes this collaboration possible. On behalf of the organization and veterans we serve thank you very much, thank you. This is the house where i was brought up. This was really a house of happiness and goodness to others. My father is doctor david applebaum. He was superman in the most real way. As a physician, he connected my fathers work was really part of our family and it was important, not just to treat the illness, my father would take care of them on the couch, that was a part of us. My father had a lot of experience with terror attacks. He would go straight to that path to the hospital. He urged him to save lives everywhere any time he could. In 2003, i was 14. My father, to pick up some coffee, it was my fathers time to have a chat and get her ready. We are familiar with those sounds growing up, to hear the explosion and silence. We got a phone call from a friend telling us our friend brought us to the hospital and as we walked in my older brother, waiting for us and told us my father was killed. And then he would be an hour or two later. I was shocked. Couldnt be because my father was always on the other side. He was strong and he would be the one standing by. In a have a in a va was hours from her wedding. She was so happy. After such a great loss you have a choice. The family chose life, we took all of what we got and all the inspiration from my father, try to live life like that. Most of us did end up in the medical field. We my brother was running the clinic and carrying on after my father. My boss is a paramedic. We Work Together, have a good time and i am sure my father is thrilled. I love what i do. I feel with me all day. Named after my father and the attack. We named her nava after my sister. Mike here is so hard. The combination with life and grace and that makes us who we are. Please welcome sheila applebaum abramson. [applause] on behalf of our family we are proud to honor the legacy of our father and sister. There are too many families like ours who have lost loved ones to terrorism. Every day we work to carry on the values we were taught, to treat everyone with care and respect. Thank you for your support for israel and your belief in the power of resilience and life. Stay tuned. Please welcome aipac president betsy burn. Good afternoon. Our next guest has a deep and personal relationship with israel and with aipac. In words and deed, Vice President pence has consistently. [applause] has consistently revealed his love for israel and his commitments to her security. Because of his belief and importance of the us israel relationship Vice President pence has made it his priority to speak at every single policy Conference Since he became Vice President. [applause] we are greatly appreciative of all the Trump Administration has done to advance us israel relationship since last time we met. [applause] formally recognizing israeli sovereignty over the golan heights. Issuing an executive order to protect proisrael students on college campuses. Defending outrageous assault at the un. Implementing dozens of new sanctions taking terrorist masterminds behind irans campaign against america and israel. And releasing a peace proposal that was developed in consultation with the leaders a two political parties. Mister Vice President , on behalf of aipac and its leadership let me say thank you. Thank you to you and donald trump for these and many other steps you have taken to deepen Americas Partnership with the state of israel. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming a true friend of israel and aipac the Vice President of the United States, mike pence. Hello, aipac. Members of congress, members of the knesset, my fellow americans who have come today from near and far, we are back in aipac, the largest gathering of friends of israel anywhere in the world. Thank you all for that welcome. How about another round of applause for the team that put this 2020 policy conference together. Mark redman and the core of aipac, my friend howard car. [applause] great to be with you all. Especially great to be here with so Many College Students around the country. If any of you get in trouble with your professors for skipping class just tell them you were here in washington protesting. But tell them you werent protesting against israel but in your Nations Capital for israel. [applause] speaking of friends, allow me to bring greetings from another friend of mine, a man i believe is the greatest friend of the jewish people in the state of israel, to sit in the oval office of the white house, i bring greetings to the 40 fifth president of the United States of america, donald trump. [applause] we gather today from all across our nation to celebrate a relationship that has never been stronger. We also gather at a time of concern for millions of americans as our nation deals with the impact of the corona virus. Allow me to address that for just a moment. To be clear donald trump has no higher priority than the health and safety of the American People. [applause] last month following word of the outbreak of the coronavirus in china our president took unprecedented action to protect the health of americans. He declared a Public Health emergency. We suspended all travel to the United States and china and there was an unprecedented quarantine efforts for americans that were returning as the president established the Coronavirus Task force which has met every single day since. He directed me to lead against the coronavirus in this country. The risk to the American Public remains low, as the president said last week we can be assured we are ready for anything. As of today we have 43 cases detected in the United States and another 48 cases among americans who have been repatriated in china. The vast majority of americans who have contracted the virus im pleased to report are recovering and doing well. Several patients remain hospitalized and the American People learn this morning another coronavirus patient, a man with Underlying Health conditions passed away. Condolences to his family. I encourage you to keep in your prayers all of those impacted by this disease. Here at home keep in your hearts and prayers the extraordinary Healthcare Providers that serve this nation every day. We are all in this together. A good idea to practice common sense, the health of your family, especially so today. I want to assure you Donald Trumps direction, we will continue to bring the full resources of the federal government to bear to protect the American People and we will always put the health and safety of america first. Thank you for that. As donald trump declared in his historic visit to jerusalem as evidence again here today the bond between our two peoples is woven together in the fabric of our hearts and so it shall always be. Under this president of the world knows nothing else, the world knows this. America stands with israel. In january it was my great honor on behalf of the president of the American People to address a ceremony in jerusalem marking the 70 fifth anniversary of the liberation of auschwitz. We pay tribute along with 50 countries to the 6 million jews killed in the holocaust and what donald trump called the dark stain on human history, the greatest evil ever perpetrated by man against man in the long catalog of human crimes. Just as we honor the dead, we also wanted the faith and resilience of the jewish people, three years after walking in the valley of the shadow of death, to reclaim a Jewish Future and rebuild a jewish state. I am proud to say as Vice President of the United States the American People have been with them every step of the way since 1948. We stand with israel today for the same reasons the American People have always stood with israel. We stand with israel because her causes our cause. Her values are our values. We stand with israel because we believe in right over wrong, in good over evil, liberty over tear any. We stand with israel because we cherish that ancient promise that americans have always cherished throughout our district that those who bless her will be blessed. Donald trump promised the United States would ensure the United States would have the resources and tools, by herself. Im proud to report american support for the security of the state of israel is greater than ever before. The state of israel is stronger than ever before in its history. Donald trump has taken one action after another, support for israel. This president promised to shutdown the plo office in washington if the Palestinian Authority did not take steps to stop funding terrorists who murder innocent israeli civilians and when the plo did not act donald trump shut it down. The plo office in washington is closed and today the taylor is the law of the land. [applause] this president also promised america would no longer allow the United Nations to be a forum for invective against israel. And this president delivered when he withdrew the United States from the socalled Human Rights Council at the un and ended all us contributions. [applause] our administration will never tolerate the suppression, persecution or silencing of the jewish people. We have stood up to antisemitism on the world stage and we have stood up to it here at home. Last December Donald trump signed the strongest executive order ever written to fight antisemitism when he banned taxpayer dollars from any institution of Higher Education that traffics in antisemitic aid. Our message to americas colleges and universities is clear. If you want billions of dollars in taxpayer support, reject antisemitism and reject it now. Donald trump has repeatedly done what no american president before him had the courage to do like when he recognized israels sovereignty over the golan heights. Like when he rejected half a century of Peace Process dogma and proclaimed is really civilian settlements in the west bank are not illegal. And as i have the joy of seeing firsthand just a few short weeks ago when i visited israel in january, had the honor to meet with benjamin netanyahu, the new American Embassy in jerusalem, the capital of the state of israel. [applause] five weeks ago donald trump also released his vision for peace, prosperity and a brighter future, israelis and palestinians. It is the most serious, realistic and detailed plan ever presented that could make israelis, palestinians and the region safer and more prosperous. The American People always prayed for the peace of jerusalem and so we will continue to do. We believe our vision provides the basis for historic progress toward true and lasting peace. Under Donald Trumps plan, israel will not have to take any additional security risks, not a single israel will be uprooted from their home, and the united recognized capital of israel. Piece will require compromise, america will never compromise the safety of the jewish state of israel. We have been standing with our most cherished ally, standing up to our enemies, the world in the region understands better every day, israel was a problem in the least. And america and britain defeated nazi germany before hitler could get Nuclear Weapons yet five years ago under the Prior Administration misguided leaders of those very same nations signed a deal that would virtually ensure that iran would obtain the same weapons, then something extraordinary happened. The American People elected a leader, decisive and unafraid as their president , and donald trump kept his word when he withdrew the United States from the disastrous iran nuclear deal. Like the hebrew prophets said, america said the far shore you come but no further. Our president made the best decision in the interest of the United States and israel but also believed it was in the best interest of peace because we believe lasting peace can be on a foundation of truth. Support of our friend israel the United States working to build as the president said as we speak, they share the aim of stamping out extremism and providing our children a hopeful future. What followed the president s historic decision the United States implemented a National Campaign to change irans maligned behavior and we will hold the team accountable for destructive actions. And the campaign is working. The iranian people are protesting against the regime. The iranian economy is under unprecedented us sanctions. Iran must choose between caring for its people continuing to fund its proxies, sewing violence across the region. The president has made clear the United States of america is ready to embrace peace with all we are seeking and we truly hope for a better and more prosperous future for the people of iran. [applause] but i make this promise, we will continue to oppose irans maligned influence, pressure on their economy and under donald Trump America will never allow iran to obtain a Nuclear Weapon. [applause] quite a contrast from the recent past, isnt it . The last administration was sending cash to terrorists in iran. This president has taken the fight to radical islamic terrorists on our terms on their soil. Last year, American Forces captured the last inch of territory beneath the isis flags caliphate and last fall American Special forces took down their leader without one american casualty. [applause] when militants stormed a embassy in baghdad on new years eve this president sent in the marines and said no more benghazi. And when american lives were threatened by the most dangerous terrorist in the world donald trump took action and soleimani is gone. [applause] you all deserve to know every one of the leading democrats running for president criticized Donald Trumps decision to take out soleimani. Bernie sanders even call the president s decision to take out soleimani in his words, quote, assassinating a government official. Ive got news for Bernie Sanders. Soleimani was not some government official. He was a terrorist. Donald trump was right to take him down. That is what leadership looks like. That is the leadership of donald trump. The days are over when the jewish people were powerless to face threats of annihilation in the United States stands shoulder to shoulder with israel in defense of our common civilization and common threads. Rebuilding american deterrence to peace through strength is the centerpiece of Donald Trumps National Security strategy. This administration, we understand weakness arouses evil and history shows the free world is safest when america is strongest. I promise you we will never negotiate with those who seek the destruction of israel. We will never negotiate with those who commit terrorism against israel, not now, not ever. Like all of you we stood with our most cherished ally as never before and we stood up to iran but now my friends, we have reached a fateful moment in our history. All over the world antisemitism is on the rise. On college campuses, in the marketplace, even in the halls of congress. Antisemitism is a unique hatred, uniquely potent. Uniquely responsible for unconscionable acts, we must root antisemitism out from every part of our society. It is not just a threat to jewishamerican and jews around the world, it is a threat to us all. [applause] like the ideology it is, antisemitism has changed forms in recent days. No longer does it event to hatred of the jewish religion or jewish people on every occasion now. It often propagates as hatred of the state of israel. Let me be clear about one point. It is the position of the United States government that antizionism is antisemitism. [applause] our president , the proud grandfather of two beautiful jewish grandchildren. Made what may have been the strongest statement against antisemitism by an american president. Moments after the horrific massacre at the tree of life synagogue in pittsburgh, america would seek the destruction of those who seek the destruction of the jews. Never before has any american president spoken with such clarity and resolve to the wider world. We all know the ancient hatred they are stirring up. Antisemitism must be universally condemned. It must be fought. It requires more than watereddown resolutions. It requires action. Might does not make right in a world filled with evil, might without right assures the triumph, and the Global Economic power in untold ways, innovations and agriculture nanotechnology, all is not yet well, not even here at home. The bipartisan consensus that supported our most cherished ally in been so nobly and ably championed by you here at aipac is beginning to the road in one of americas two Major Political parties. Today the leading candidate for the president ial nomination of the party of Harry S Truman openly and repeatedly attacks israel as a racist state and defame aipac as, of all things, as he said, a, quote, platform for bigotry. Even more troubling when Bernie Sanders smeared israel at last weeks debate not a single candidate on that stage stood up to challenge him. But i will promise you we will always call out those who try to cloak their animus toward israel inside the phony mantle of friendship. As 18,000 friends of israel. [applause] gathered with each one of you, friends of israel, republicans, democrats, independents, jews and christians, liberals and conservatives, if we can agree on one thing, it should be this. Those who side with his relapse enemies must never be allowed to call themselves friends of israel. It is wrong to boycott and slander israel, it is wrong to boycott and slander aipac. And i say from my part, in the days ahead, we must ensure the most proisrael president in history must not be replaced by one who would be the most antiisrael president in the history of this nation. That is why four more years of donald trump in the white house. I am honored to be with all of you today as your Vice President to assure you donald trump and our administration and this country will stand with you today, tomorrow and always for we are as you are, aipac proud. [applause] the bond between our two people is woven in the hearts, people of our country, it is unbreakable and always will be. 70 years on from that day of liberation at auschwitz we remember not simply the tragedy but also the triumph. The promise fulfilled, people restored to their rightful place among the nations of the earth. As we ramp on night of that past, survivors, of those who were lost, heroes who stood against the evil times, we do well. In january, 50 nations gathered strong to say just as we all say here today from across this nation with one voice, never again. [applause] program, persecution, expulsion to the ghettos and finally through the death camps the jewish people cling to that ancient promise that he would never leave you or forsake you and he would lead his people to inherit the land he swore your ancestors could give them. And he has. The jewish people have turned the desert into a garden, scarcity into plenty, sickness into health, turned hoping to a future of security and prosperity, tiny land, land with no natural resources, rushing rivers or verdant valleys, nation that despite not knowing a single day of true peace, two for generations become one of the worlds most vibrant and successful countries. Israel is an inspiration to the world. Today as we bear witness to the strength and resilience of the faith of the jewish people so too we bear witness to gods faithfulness. It is an honor to be with you today. The United States of america is proud to stand with israel and her people as cherished allies and friends. The United States is the guardian of liberty, that is the trust we will never forsake. Ladies and gentlemen, israel and the United States will always stand together because america and israel are more than friends. We are more than partners. My friends, the United States and israel our family. We are misspoken. It is true. We are a family descended from a common tradition, a family that upholds common values and together our family shares a common destiny. The American Israeli Alliance is stronger than ever before. Our friendship is greater than ever before and our future is brighter than ever before so we say to all those gathered here, all who cherish israel, the people of israel, the famous words of their priestly blessing, may the lord bless you and keep you, may his countenance shine upon you and be gracious unto you, may all your ways be peaceful. With the unwavering support of all of you and all who call these two great nations home, with the leadership of donald trump and with gods help i know the best days for israel and the United States of america are yet to come. Thank you, god bless you, god bless israel and the United States of america. Heres a look at our live coverage tuesday. On cspan houses back 10 00 eastern for general speeches followed by legislative business at noon. Members are considering four bills from the House Foreign Affairs committee including one that would condemn continued violence against civilians in the Central African republic. In the Evening Campaign 2020 coverage includes the results of super tuesday which has a remaining democrat president of candidates competing for pledged delegates in 14 states and one us territory. That gets underway at 7 00 pm eastern. On cspan2 the senate is working on a Geothermal Research and develop and bill. On cspan 3 at 10 00 am eastern Public Health officials from the centers for Disease Control and prevention, the National Institutes of health and the fda testify on capitol hill about the coronavirus outbreak and the federal response. T