By COLlive reporter
Dozens of Chabad rabbis and their communities are among the 18,000 participants of the annual policy conference of the America Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington, DC.
The largest pro-Israel gathering in the USA is an opportunity for many to meet like-minded Jews and non-Jews and strengthen the bond between Israel and the US, despite recent friction between their administrations.
For Shluchim, it is also a chance to encourage Jews to develop a spiritual bond with Israel and its Jewish residents. Rabbi Berel Levertov, Director of the Chabad Jewish Center in Santa Fe, NM, was seen helping attendees with putting on Tefillin.
Vice President Joe Biden addressed the opening session of the conference held at the Verizon Center Washington Wizards, stressing the strong connection and shared interests of both countries.
Biden recalled that as a Senator, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir told him “We Israelis have a secret weapon.” Curious to hear the secret, she told him: “We have nowhere else to go.”
Biden, who has recently returned from a trip to Israel, said “This whisper has changed my life. I have made it my life’s mission to make sure that there will always be an Israel, that there will always be a place to go!”
Other planned speakers will be presidential candidates Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, John Kasich and Hillary Clinton. Bernie Sanders, the only Jewish person in the race, has declined an invitation. He reportedly offered to speak via video but was declined.
Meanwhile, outside the conference, a group of 300 pro-Palestinian activists gathered brandishing flags and placards, protesting the conference and calling on the US to end aid to Israel, according to reports.
Rabbi Levi Shemtov, Executive Vice President of American Friends of Lubavitch and Shliach of Washington, DC, posted a video clip on social media showing the angry chants outside.
“I am in shock!” he wrote. “I was just told by law enforcement to stay indoors, for my safety!!! In Washington, DC. 2016. Not good….”
I am in shock! I was just told by law enforcement to stay indoors, for my safety!!!In Washington, DC. 2016. Not good….
Posted by Rabbi Levi Shemtov on Sunday, March 20, 2016
Opening Video: AIPAC Policy Conference 2016
Posted by AIPAC – The American Israel Public Affairs Committee on Sunday, March 20, 2016
the place seems very empty
Somewhere in Hell, a cozy cell is being prepared for all the Hollywood Jews who created and funded the presidency of Hussein Obama… Whether he’s supporting the Muslim Brotherhod in Egypt or forcing Bibi to use the back door in Washington or sowing chaos across the planet, there is literally no end to the atoning which Geffen, Streisand, and all the other “left-wing” will have to endure
And then TIME reports that Trump got a muted response.
I guess they think that thousands of people jumping to their feet and cheering is a muted response.
If anyone trusts TIME – not a good idea.
The only one that truly supports eretz yisrael eretz hakodesh- vote cruz!
According to the JTA – Hillary has spoken. She bashed Trump saying she would be the best for Israel. And they gave her a standing ovation.
That’s weird – I thought she had 4 years as Secretary of State and she wasn’t able to anything beneficial for the Jews in Eretz Yisroel. I guess the AIPACer’s have short memories.
Trump speaks tonight.
Some ‘reform’ and ‘conservative’ rabbis are planning on walking out. That’s OK. They belong with the other protesters.
What I don’t get is – how can Chassidim be in a room where Hillary is getting a standing ovation?
The current situation in Eretz Yisroel with all the stabbings, is just the recent chapter in a series of terrorist styles that Jews endure in Eretz Yisroel. Much of the terror is rooted in the education and incitement that is prevalent in the Arab schools and the media in Eretz Yisroel. The Jewish government has the power to control both – but they are too liberal to do so. Schools that are sponsored by the UN teach the students to idolize terrorists. The Jewish government has the power to ban foreign sources to fund incitement. But they are too liberal… Read more »
Anyone know what time Trump is speaking and where we can see this live streamed?
Paid for by George soros
Same croud protests against: trump, israel, kapporos, amnesty, abortion etc,,.