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

Voters in 14 states, American Samoa and americans abroad will head to the polls in this election cycles super tuesday. Among those holding their primaries on tuesday are two of the nations biggest prizes, california and texas. [applause] paul, youve got something. We have texans in the cheap seats . They should be all the way in the front right here. Approximately onethird of all delegates are up for grabs tomorrow. This morning we have an opportunity or from some of americas most wellknown and respected political authorities who are going to help us make sense of a rapidly changing political environment. Please welcome attorney political commentator and recovering politician [applause] no stranger to the aipac states, clinton strategist, paul [applause] one of the republican parties leading ad makers, brad todd. [applause] and last but certainly not least, threetime republican president ial Campaign Communications director, alice stewart. [applause] thank you all for joining us. Before we jump in, its worth reminding everyone that aipac does not rate or endorse candidates. We do, however, encourage our members, encourage all of youo find out where the candidates stand on the u. S. Israel relationship, to be politically active, and to get out and vote. The views expressed in this morning are those of our panelists and theirs alone. They do not represent the views of aipac. So without qualifier out of the way, lets get started. To keep us on track and on time we have got nine minutes on the timer for our first topic, and that topic is the fight for the democratic president ial nomination. So this past saturday joe biden scored a big win in your home state of South Carolina. What is your assessment of that and was going to happen tomorrow . Thank god for South Carolina. [applause] first of all there we go. Thank thank you, Anderson Cooper that question. I think a South Carolina is going to be a Supreme Court for joe biden and im always caution people you cant determine who the democratic nominee is until black people vote. Just what extreme he bluntly. I always say my mom and her friends of the people who determine who the nominee is going to be. South carolina is a very, very diverse state and when the cut to that diverse state joe biden put the toys. Thats going to Supreme Court into super tuesday were expecting to do well in virginia and with coletta, texas, arkansas, alabama. And we will see what happens from there but this race is going to go to milwaukee for sure. So, paul, tomorrow Michael Bloomberg will be on the ballot for the first time after spending close to half a billion dollars on advertising. How is Michael Bloomberg wanted and what is your assessment of whats going to happen to our . First of all thanks having me back. I love aipac and im always glad to be here. [applause] been associated with aipac since as a college. So you college kids, when youre an old fort like me i want to see your ass back youre like me. Stay in the game. [applause] bloomberg, i think his ads have been terrific. I think his debate not so much, and i think now with the emergence of joe biden as a candidate who can put together a Diverse Coalition. We learn in nevada really could. Early put together a lot of latinos and liberal white but the first two tests, i will enhance your i love them both. I prefer candidates with one does caucuses and primaries but the diversity runs like from the white to the translucent. [laughing] and so i care a lot what your mom thinks. Admin. Can the mayor, not like any get votes, can you put together a Diverse Coalition . Can you do that in the democratic primary . Right now i do think for the modern lane Vice President biden is in the drivers seat. I want to see most important of course is my home state of texas. Texas. Bernie will win california overwhelmingly. He will dominate california. Hes been working hard and is a Great Organization of there. He will dominate. Hes been leading in the polls in texas but joe biden as we say in texas, he might could slingshot right around bernie, given the momentum has picked up from saturday night. Saturday night speech if you didnt see joe biden speak a side not, i committed to you. Hes a guy a lot of people were four for tactical reasons. My heart was with a rock and he had his back, things like that. Saturday night he gave democrats a reason to fall in love with him. Democrats need that. It was as powerful come and visit you believe we need healing come if you believe we need unity, if you believe we have had enough of what mr. Trump gives us, which a lot of in the Catholic Church we call it [inaudible] enough of that. Joe gibbs you an alternative. Let me ask you a quick followup, paul. Pete buttigieg just dropped out. What impact is likely to have and what of those votes go . This guy won iowa. He won iowa and that was before super tuesday. Its extraordinary. I do think some of the early votes are locked in, like to think people in california have already voted. 700,000 in texas. I do think well tend to move the momentum even more to joe biden because a lot of those Pete Buttigieg voters were looking for healing, moderation, unity. I think if you want reform but you dont want revolution, then youre for pete and those people tend to more go for joe. Brad, you wrote a great book called the great revolt and then it you described different archetypes of voters that voted for donald trump in 2016 and you focus in particular on five swing states in the midwest pdc in the simmers between what donald trump did in 2016 and any of the candidates that are running on the democratic side this year . Michael author and the interviewed people all over the rust belt and one thing that attracted a lot of donald Trump Supporters to him in the primary in the republican side was he didnt like the Republican Party very much. That made a lot of republicans willing to nominate him. I think you see that with Bernie Sanders a lot of democratic primary voters dont think too much of the Democratic Party. Thats that a think anyone should be ashamed of. All institutions are failing because you all have a smartphone at that makes a smart enough to pick on her own. I think all the biden supporters are trying to sort of usher in a stop Burning Movement might ought to check the role on that because trying to hashtag stop bernie might enable bernie. Alice, what is your take . Is Bernie Sanders the Presumptive Democratic nominee . Who will challenge him and you see this going all the way to milwaukee. No, he is not the presumptive nominee and they do see this going all the way to milwaukee. Saying that Bernie Sanders or anyone at this stage of the game is the presumptive nominee is like if i going to bake a cake and this is how is your take . Ive only pulled the eggs and the blood out of the fridge. This cake is not baked yet. We have a long way to go. The democratic primary has done a major recalibration the past two days, certain with joe biden doing so well in south gillett and Pete Buttigieg getting up. The question is where will petes people go . Its natural to think people go based on ideology and the more moderate voters will go toward joe biden but you also have to keep in mind that pete has a very strong younger audience and Younger Voters that supported. Those making to go to Elizabeth Warren based on just the Younger Generation and may not be quite on board with joe biden. I think theyre still so much up in the air and a lot to be considered. I just got back from mid that last night from arkansas, havg worked there all weekend. People their support joe biden come for a lot of reasons. This is a more moderate state, kind of a yellow dog democrat state as it used to be and he is really working his relationship mark pryor and david pryor, legacies in arkansas and certainly relationships that they have with the clintons in arkansas. He is someone that people in arkansas do gravitate toward. Bernie sanders worried a lot of people, speaking with a lot of my democratic friends there they were like we cannot let this happen. What i do agree is what we heard buttigieg say one time in one of the debate is about in the midterms a lot of people certainly the aoc and some of the very far left candidates running along with bernie because he was giving them support. Now they are running away from them because they realize he is a viable candidate and they realize the danger of that. We are seeing more and more democrats who thought the bernie train was fine because it galvanize some other some of t, but they realize the danger if you were to become the nominee. We got a little bit of time left. What do you think, after super tuesday, do you think there will be more candidates leaving this contest . I hope so. There are few candidates who probably should find Something Else to do. To be completely honest, i tell people, i said this yesterday when i was on cnn, that its a twoperson race its joe biden, Bernie Sanders race, and to people and three egos are in the race. Went to figure out what Elizabeth Warren is going to do. I dont know a single state she wins in super tuesday. I she even gets beat in massachusetts. Amy klobuchar will win minnesota on super tuesday but she performed worse than Pete Buttigieg with black voters which is like really bad. [laughing] and Michael Bloomberg is a hassle Million Dollars sport. Michael bloomberg doesnt win a single state on tuesday. He can give me the money. I have some Student Loans to pay, if hes in the back. One secunda bloomberg, yes, he has beautiful adds as paul said. Speak with people, the ads great because able to get your message with no pushback and now hes getting some pushback. Were hearing how is having difficulty with minority voters but hes having difficulty communicating to rural voters. If you cannot connect with roll voters you are in serious trouble. Its time for us to move on to our next topic which is the avon lady calling. Our next topic is the general election. I think you would all agree that President Trumps strategy has largely been built around solidifying his Political Base rather than appealing to independence or suburban swing voters. Aldous, can the president win with a base only strategy . He certainly can, depending on whom he is going against. Lets apathetically, lets say Bernie Sanders that i dont expect it to be, then i do think a lot of people will shy away from a candidate like that. Joe biden i think would be a more viable challenger to the president. But you have to keep this in mind it when this president goes round and he has these rows, which a lot of times we dont often see them on a lot of the news networks, speak with people that go to these things, certainly theres a lot of people have go to a trump rally for the star factor. They want to see what its like and get caught up in all this. But the campaign is pulling out analytics from these when people register, almost 25 of people who go out to these are democrats or independents. These are people that are coming out. 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 this dull trump is all about. If the economy is strong and he continues to peel these people away, percentage by percentage, he does have a very good shot. Bakari, what do you think . In 2016 we had a phenomenon in that we had the two most unpopular candidates in the history of the United States politics running against each other. I dont think youre going to have that dynamic this time. You may but i dont im hopeful. Im optimistic. I dont think were going to have that. I do think though donald trump was able to do something which i do have the audacity to believe that i can expend which is 53 of white women voted for donald trump which is an extremely high number. I think he has a base. They were for who voted in 2012 who stayed home in 2016. The democrats passed to beating david trump is those people who didnt choose Hillary Clinton and they didnt choose donald trump. They chose the couch. Whoever can get those voters off the couch, they have a chance. You dont need a whole lot. Donald trump the game president by 100,000 voters in the three states. Wisconsin, michigan and pennsylvania. Its not a widespread but he was able to thread the needle. So you just mentioned those three he states, michigan, wisconsin and pennsylvania being another one of them. Those are three states, paul, that the last come in the last six president ial elections had voted for the democratic nominee. Can the democratic nominee get those states back and what does this nominee have to do to do that. As you start with that the blue wall and and i never corrt bakari but i keep receipts. Trump one michigan plus pennsylvania plus wisconsin, 14 million votes cast, 14 million his margin was precisely 77,774. I rounded up to 100,000. Im going to find everyone of the 77,774 and wipe them out. Im coming and wipe them out. Im coming to your door. So the guy pulled off an inside straight. People out there who want you to believe me. Of course they can. Look at the 22 the 2010 midter. You are the largest turnout since women got the right to vote which i think some of my republican friends still regret. You had the most, the most diverse field democrats have ever put together, more women, or people of color, more military and the most moderate field democrats have ever put out. They went in michigan. They elected a terrific woman governor, they won in wisconsin and pennsylvania. Where we ran with that strategy of high turnout, high diversity, moderate candidates, we picked up 41 seats, 41 seats. Seats. Not a one of them ran for the revolutionary they call for Better Health care, lower Prescription Drug prices. Democrats have model. They have strategy and it ones in the biggest landslide that they have won since watergate. 44 years. So can they . Odyssey they are right never democrats in 20 and king by the way, they one in kentucky, they one in louisiana where they hunt as now with the dogs. So yes, we can. Its amazing to me, trump should have this hes highly vulnerable. I want to get brett in. Can the president hold onto those important and i midwestern trip . I think paul would be right if there is a moderate right. Were not talking the Democratic Party in 2008. Thats why donald trump is a very good chance to cut the great lakes states again and hold on to florida because hes running against the Democratic Party of 2020 and not the Democratic Party of 15 years ago. Hes not running against Steve Bullock which is what the mayor would be to the suburban democrats won. One. Trump has to carry one group, gary johnson voters. Hes going to win with a cushion and all the states he needs to win in. There are a lot of suburban voters who have qualms about the president style but have a fear of democratic policy. Thats the voter donald trump has to win over between now and november. Lets move on to our next topic, and i know its a topic a lot of people in this room care very, very deeply about, which is the u. S. Israel relationship. First, i do wish senator sanders were here, i wish all were here and i think its a mistake not to come here. The thought that apac is monolithic, you hear about the vote and i think that senator sanders should come and make his case. Mo are importantly, he needs to go back to israel. Ive been how many times, a million times and here is what he would see. They have a really good Child Literacy Program in israel, to pick one issue i know is close to his heart. Really good. In fact, in the 70s, in 1970s Hillary Clinton copy she brought to arkansas. They have free press, elections, strong environmental laws, all the things weve found as democrats. I was there in 2015 as rob knows, israeli socialized medicine in israel, it saved my life and i think that bernie would love that. As a progressive, thats one of the reasons i love israel, it has its problems, i dont know if youve noticed in the United States, but we have ours. It doesnt make me hate america, it makes me, you know, it makes me want to make sure that that relationship heals. Its kind as if someone had come to the United States in the 1960s and still talking about what the United States was 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 are you that the party will pass a proisrael platform this year . Very optimistic. I mean, im pretty sure it will happen. I think theres a weird misnomer that theres a huge gap between israel and the Democratic Party and im here to say that that simply doesnt exist. Its fascinating to watch how people want to drive wedges between certain groups in this country and we talk about Bernie Sanders and his views on israel. I remind people Bernie Sanders actually lost the democratic primary in 2016 by 4 million votes so this wasnt some looming threat. It was 4 million votes and right now, he has a plurality, he wont have the majority. As we say he might 30 percent his way to the nomination, but thats still a long way to go. Im actually back on the Platform Committee again this year and i anticipate. [applause] i anticipate a proisrael platform again and i have nothing to show me otherwise. Everything in the Democratic Party is a fight. As we say im not part of an organized party, im a democrat. Well see what happens, but im pretty sure that it will stay on track. Well take great solace and look for your leadership on that committee. Thank you. [applause] alice, do you anticipate israel being a general election issue . I anticipate it and it should be. Specifically if it gets down to trump and sanders. Look, when you have two polar opposites on this very important issue, you have President Trump who has been a supporter of israel. He is moving the embassy to jerusalem recognizing jerusalem as the capital. [applause] certainly what hes done with recognizing sovereignty in the Golan Heights and most importantly, one of the first thing he did was withdrawing from the iran nuclear deal. [applause] with our tremendous, tremendous signs of support for proisrael movement and you have Bernie Sanders who calls people that support this movement bigots and critical of our position and refuses to even come to the table or come here and explain his positions. Those are the options, yes, it will be an issue and should be. At the same time joe biden doesnt have a pass either. He doesnt have a tremendous record when it comes to this issue, we have a shining example in President Trump not just in terms of following his support, but following through on it. I want to give you a chance. Theres never been a president thats stood stronger with israel than donald trump, not one, not one. So, every ally the United States has in the middle east knows that donald trump stands with israel first and foremost and thats going to be the bar na is set for democrats in this election. Whoever they nominate, and whoever they nominate in coming elections, President Trump set the standard for the u. S. Israel relationship and i think the Republican Party will be unmoved from it. Thank you. [applause] our next topic is the congressional election. All 435 house seats and 35 senate seats are up for grabs this november. As we know, republicans currently control the senate and democrats the house. Brad, what impact do you see, who the democrats choose as their nominee having on the down ballot races, having on the congressional races . I think every democratic nominee for house, for instance, in the marginal races and most of the ones in the senate they are defending suburban moderate turfs. Thats where Bernie Sanders is unpopular. And i think he has the chance and im not a democrat like two geniuses to my right. I dont know if i like that. I dont know why, but thats like saying bless your heart in South Carolina. Bernie sanders and say it in tennessee. The fastest Movement Among democrats for down ballot offices is going to happen the moment Bernie Sanders is the nominee and theyre going to run from him as fast as they can. I think the house is in play with Bernie Sanders as the democrat nominee and i think the republicans might get to 54, 55 in the u. S. Senate. What do you think . Brads book is really excellent and one of the things he talks about are the suburban voters. Just to put it into context, the swing vote, there are swing voters still in america, and as the White Working Class moved to Trump College educated white folks moved to the democrats. Barack obama is a pretty good politician he lost College Educated voters and democrats won them on College Educated white women in the suburbs. Any College Educated white women here . I married one. Every waking moment is how do i please a College Educated white woman. Thats the only thing that i can and theyre running from trump. Theyre running from trump. Theyre the ones who handed nancy pelosi the gavel. The first time in my lifetime that they took the party through the moderate wing and youll see the same thing with trump on the ballot, he polarizes those women and frightens him for good reason and theyve come over and the democrats, if they do it right, and i think they will, they will reach out on welcome the former republicans into their tent and i think that thats what its going to come down to and i think youre going to see a lot of republicans trying to unhinge themselves from trump as they see that these women who used to be their base have now left them. So im not going to ask you about suburban white women. I dont have a ph. D. In. [laughter] figuring out how to chime in. I dont have anything. [laughter] will republicans still control the senate . Whats going to happen in the house yeah, yeah, and let me just i do this on tv all the time which is never answer the question im asked, but let me just stick up for my democrats in israel. I think there are some people out here who heard of the iron dome and i think that thats a round of applause, thanks obama. Thanks obama for iron dome, 31 billion mou signed between us and israel. Thanks, obama. And i would adventure to say i dont want to go into the iran deal, but we have to make sure that they stay far, far away on a Nuclear Weapon and im not sure we have clarity as we speak whether its the iron deal. The democrats will stay in control of the house, whether nancy pelosi is the speaker of the house. The frightening part i think as brad said, i would agree with him that i believe there may be some seats gained in the United States senate. Its going to be a tough for democrats. Ill tell you in arizona in particular, i think that youll probably have a seat to flip, but other than that i dont see too many bright spots for democrats. Alice, were almost out of time. What do you think will happen in the senate. I think well have 465 different races based in the house and what is going on in that Certain Community and theres, look, i will hand it to democrats in this midterm election, aoc and democrats getting women out to vote and engaging them and getting women not just to run, but vote, hats off to them. A tremendous job. Republicans are making inroads with that with Elise Stefanik and others. Theres a difference between 2018 and 2020, donald trump. With him on the ticket, that will really help galvanize republicans who have get off the couch and go vote and youre seeing endorsement and endorsement of him 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, which is bold predictions so im going to ask each of to you make a bold prediction of something thats going to happen this november and why dont we start with you. Im out of the prediction business because i thought that Hillary Clinton would be president of the United States, i preface that, i believe well be inaugurating joe biden and Kamala Harris as president and vicepresident. This is not a prediction, its a certainty. On thursday, july 16th, thats the date the democrat gives her or his acceptance address. On that day to interrupt that narrative donald trump will call a press conference at maralago, hell dumb mike pence and put on nikki haley. In january 2021, nancy pelosi will not be the speaker of the house. If donald trump is reelected, if donald trump is reelected, the speaker will be Kevin Mccarthy and if Bernie Sanders is elected it will be whoever aoc picks. Alice bold prediction. I think well have a wave like weve never steen on the right and the left and to agree with what they said, we will see a female on the ticket, whether it might be on the right, might be the left, might be number one position, number be number two, i expect to see a woman there. Wow. So, unfortunately, were out of time, but i want to thank our panelist panelists. Im rob bassin 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 the president of the republic of colombia ivan marquez. Thank you so much. Its a great honor for me to be here here in ai pac and its a great pleasure for me to stand before you and talk about colombia. We, we are a nation that has learned the value of resilience. We are a nation that has learned to turn every single at vers adversity into the most important opportunity. Maybe 20 years ago if i were standing here, you would have heard a speech of a country that was facing major turmoil. But in the last 20 years, colombia has turned its story into a success story. We have [applaus [applause] we have expanded life expectancy. We have increased income per capita. We have improved our security. We have made our economy a vibrant economy and an example in latin america of defending the principles of entrepreneurship and we have strengthened our democracy. Tod today, 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 my oath of office in colombia. And tell the colombian people that we wanted to work under three principles, the rule of law, defending the private sector and private initiatives, and making a Small Business part of the engines of that transformation, but we also made a big call to work for fairness. And in 18 months we have made tremendous progress. Today the colombian economy is growing above the world average, the regional average, the oecd average and that is taking place because we defend Free Enterprise as part of social transformation. [applause] weve also reached in 2019 one of the lowest homicide rates in 40 years with the double of the population. We have reached the highest results ever on tourism and agricultural exports, but most importantly were making a social change. In just 18 months 80,000 students are going to free Public Education in the universities because we believe education makes a big change. But all of this successes were reaching is because we consider the valuables, principles and visions with our allies is very important. We have shared those visions with the United States and we have also shared those visions with allies, like israel. [applause] we have received bipartisan support and bicalmeral support in the United States and israel for the visions that colombia has and we know that if we shared 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 and in motion the Free Trade Agreement with israel so that we can jointly move investments, entrepreneurship, science, technology and agricultural development. [applause] the same happened with the United States. We built a Free Trade Agreement thats helping us export more, reach new markets and give opportunities to colombians in different places in the country and we also shared the values of security because we 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 that 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 why a few weeks ago we had a summit in bogota, with other latin american countries and we decided to adopt the terrorist list from the United States and the European Union and it is to make clear that organizations such as hezbollah need to be destroyed, like eln, like the dissidents, like hamas because we cannot tolerate terrorism as a expressin expression and that same reason why today we want to see the values of fairness taking place. We have to learn from our allies and we have to Work Together to provide opportunities for those who are impoverished. We need to allow kids from low income families to have the access to nutrition. But we also know that that only happens if we also share the values of innovation and this year, with the United States, we will increase the Technical Corporation on those fronts, but we will also be able to work with israel to have a colombian Innovation Office in israel that will take that knowledge to be applied in colombia because thats the work that has to be built upon between allies. [applause] i also want to express to you that the history of colombia has also been enriched by the history of migration. We have received migrants that have made a difference and in years of distress, and in years of sorrow, colombia had its doors opened to jewish immigration to colombia. They built very Important Companies in the 20th century. The first blood bank. We had advances in medicine with the help of those migrants and today when we look back, we know that migration has produced a very important positive effect in colombia and thats the reason why today, instead of getting into the path of antiimmigration, we have to put the venezuelan brothers and sisters that have come to colombia because they have fled away the impacts of a deplorable dictatorship. [applause] that dictatorship in venezuela has also the traces of antisemetism and they have also opened the doors for hezbollah to operate in venezuela to support the crimes they continually commit against their population. So thats the reason why my visit to aipac is also a call for you to look at latin america and to see that the values of democracy, rule of law, have to be protected and they will only be protected if we are together also working so that that dictatorship in venezuela comes to an end and we can see a continuous progress in that country for the sake of the rest of the latin american nations. [applause] it is 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 pedgogues. Demagogues build the path to power, and demonize the private sector in the end they destroy the values that we have defended as its happened in venezuela. The pedgogues are the ones who teach and work with society that we know that we can get success only if theres hard work, but also if theres prudence and also if theres no demagoguery and we can assure that every penny is soundly invested in those who are in need so we have to defeat the demagogues and we have to promote the pedagogues in the way we approach politics. We as colombians have been a nation that has evolved through the years with hard work and with the help of the international community. Allies like the United States and israel have been very supportive of our transformation and we will continue to embrace those values and we will continue to defend them in every instance in the international arena, whether its bilateral or multilateral. I hope this year to visit israel, to put in motion the freed trade agreement. [applause] and to invite israel to invest in colombia and we also want exports to reach those markets because we believe its through friendship and genuine alliances that we can make a positive impact. For me to be here in aipac, its a way to recognize that story, that path, but also to make clear, and 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, thats hypocrisy. When we see power without principles, that is an expression just of pure ambition. We are here to recognize that the values that we have embraced are the values that will take us to a better stage. Thank you. [applause] please welcome former United States senator rudy vasquez. Vasquez. 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 id been involved with ethiopian jury for 20 years. My own family fled from nazi germany when i was just two. What an opportunity now for me, a jewish immigrant, to negotiate the freedom for the ethiopian, the jews of ethiopia. I understood the difference [applaus [applause] i understood the difference that 50 years have made, how jews have been powerless against the nazis, but now the black jews of ethiopia, the poorest of the poor stood with the strength with the u. S. Government and the state of israel as partners. [applause] in late may, late may of 1991 our negotiations succeeded and operation solomon occurred in just 36 in just 36 hours israel airlifted 14,325 Ethiopian Jews to freedom. [applause] boy, did those israeli planes come in, go out, come back. It was quite a scene. And while the airlift made international news, many people didnt realize and dont realize that israel has spent decades inside ethiopia and neighboring sudan helping Ethiopian Jews to escape to israel. The israelis conducted hundreds of clandestine across air, land and sea, smuggling their jewish brethren to freedom. Their work was dangerous. Their work was dangerous and only possible with the partnership of Ethiopian Jews inside the refugee camps who snuggled their own people to meeting points across the region. One such brave soul responsible for the freedom of as many as 900 of his fellow Ethiopian Jews went on to live and is living a successful life in israel. Today he leads a tech career center, an organization helping to guide Ethiopian Jews into the startup nation. Hes a hero. [applause] and today, and today we learn the story of his bravery, and his triumph. Meet takelly. My grandfather was a rabbi and the leader of the Jewish Church in ethiopia. He taught me the principle, if you save one person, you save the whole. Growing up, we pray that the day would come when all make it past. And a civil war was tearing apart the country. It was not safe to be jewish anywhere in ethiopia. We dreamed to be in a place where it was safe to be ourselves. We dreamed to be. One day my friend and i decided we must leave ethiopia and go to israel. We trapped in the dark because we knew if we were called we would be thrown in the prison. It was very tough. We traveled almost two weeks through the jungle after that we [aipac video prap pran. [applause] please welcome taekle. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you. Im honored to be here, but i am just a small part of the story and theres much more to be done. Today im working to bring young Ethiopian Jews into israel and i take my work at the center. Our goal is 3,000 ethiopians thank you. Our goal is 3,000 ethiopians in israeli hightech jobs. [applause] thank you very much. And i would like i would like i would also like to say that this was a very long and difficult journey met by my thousands Ethiopian Jews. And none of us could have ever completed our journey without the help of my people, men and women of the mossad. Im joined by my friend and the mossad agent responsible for so many of the operations that brought my people to israeli. [applause] you are a true hero and a dear friend. Thank you, aipac for all you do to support israel. Thank you very much. [applause] please welcome, former mayor of new york city and democratic president ial candidate, mike bloomberg. Thank you, good morning. I cant hear you, good morning. Good morning. I cant tell you how glad i am to be here at aipac. [applause] and i dont think ive ever talked to as big a crowd, certainly not one that i respected as much as this one. So, thank you all for doing this. [applause] now, israel is small, we know, 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 Floyd Friedman for inviting me to join all of you today and i particularly want to congratulate the new president , betsy as she begins one of the easiest jobs in washington. Betsy i dont know whether congratulations or condolences are in order, but good luck. Let me also say hello to all the new yorkers in the room [cheers and applause] i just hope all of you voted correctly for the mayoral candidate back in 2001 and 2005 and 2009. And if you didnt, well, youll have a chance to atone in 2020. [applause] and i want to thank all of you for being here, especially the young people in this room, more than 4,000 students from all over the country. [applause] America Needs your voices more than ever and your presence here and the proisrael identity that you proudly bring to your classrooms and campuses give me hope because some try to make strong supporters of israel feel unwelcome in social justice conversations, your refusal to be intimidated reminds us of the courage and integrity that we need in our political discourse. Dont stop. [applause] i could not be proud, more proud of you or more grateful and to be here with you this morning at aipac is one of the great things in my life. Thank you for what you do. It aint easy, just do it. [applause] now, the work that 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, my parents taught me that judaism is much more than our rituals. It is also about living our values. For my parents generation, that meant realizing the dream of a jewish holy land and for us, it is about revering the miracle that is now the modern state of israel. [applause] now, my mother and father never had the means to visit israel when i was a child, but ive been lucky enough to travel there many times. More than once as an adult i went with my late mother to see the blood center in israel that we named after my father. [applause] and the hospital wing that we named after my mother. [applause] and in 2014 when the f. A. A. Banned american carriers from flying during protective edge, i traveled to israel on el al. They werent afraid to fly. [applause] you know, sometimes gestures matter and in my own little way i wanted to show the world that friends of israel will never let fear of terrorism keep us out of our holy land. [applause] that was true back in 2014 when israel faced attacks from gaza. It was true when i had to take shelter as rockets rained down and its still in 2020 as rockets continue to be launched at innocent civilians in cities and towns across the jewish sta state. For as long as israel has existed, terrorists have threatened our ancesteral homeland. Well, guess what . The state of israel, the jewish people, and the proisrael community will never back down in the face of hatred. [applause] and if im elected president , i can promise you, i will always have israels back. [applause] because israel has a right to defend itself by itself. [applause] and that means i will never impose conditions on military aid no matter what government is in power. [applause] and that includes 3. 3 billion in Security Assistance and 500 million in Missile Defense we provide israel every single year thanks to the 2016 memorandum of understanding. Look, israel is on the front lines countering american enemies in the region and sharing valuable intelligence and experience with us. So conditioning foreign aid wouldnt only impair israels ability to keep itself safe, but our ability to keep ourselves safer as well. After all, American Security and israels safety are 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 also promise to always oppose the bds movements tenacious efforts to delegitimize the state of israel and i already have. [applause] i will stand up to efforts to hold israel to a double standard that the United Nations and while i believe it shouldnt have been done as part of a peace negotiation ive always supported the u. S. Embassy moving the Israeli Embassy to jerusalem the capital state and as president i will leave it there because thats where it belongs. [applause] now, i will also never stop working for a peace plan that has at its foundation two states, one jewish and one palestinian achieved through direct negotiations because israel must remain a prosperous, secure and stable jewish democracy and because palestinians deserve dignity democracy and opportunity as well. [applause] bipartisan support for israel has been a defining feature of american politics since 1948 and this organization has played a critically Important Role in fostering it. A relationship between our two countries have 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, law and justice, integrity and compassion, innovation and ingenuity. But in recent years, weve begun to see cracks in that bipartisanship and that is deeply disturbing. Unfortunately, not all of my fellow democrats in this race have attended an aipac conference. One of them, senator sanders has spent 30 years boycotting this event and as youve heard by now, he called aipac a racist platform. Well, let me tell you, hes dead wrong. [applause] this is a gathering of 20,000 israel 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 here and weaken the u. S. Israeli relationship. The reality is, aipac doesnt fuel hatred, aipac works to combat it and the violence that it can produce. [applause] and if more elected officials spoke to the people here, theyd understand that. [applause] now, ive always believed that you should meet with people who may disagree with you and listen to them. Thats how ive always led. But theres one thing i know about jewish people is that we dont agree on anything. We cant even agree on who is the funniest new yorker, jerry seinfeld, larry david, or me. Just for the record, its probably not me, but i did appear in curb your enthusiasm and throw larry david out of new york. I dont remember what he did, but im sure he deserved it. Seriously, as strong supporters of israel we dont need to agree with everything an Israeli Government does and i certainly dont and as proud american patriots of america, 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. Like many of you, i was against the iran nuclear deal, but [applause] but because the deal shouldnt should have done more to address irans Ballistic Missile program. We never should have unfrozen their money without mandating they end terrorism. And many of the restrictions of the deal came with an expiration date. Let me be clear, our commitment to israel must never sunset. [applause] also, also i know that unilaterally abandoning the deal rather than leading our allies to strengthen it was tau taunta mount to Irans Nuclear program and iran is once again marching toward the development of nuclear capability. As president i will work to restrain the iranian aggression and territorial ambition and put an end to their Nuclear Program forever because the world must never allow iran to threaten israel and the whole region with a nuclear attack. [applause] but the larger point im making is, we can disagree with specific policy positions of president s from both sides of the aisle without resorting to personal attacks or trying to claim israel as the exclusive domain of one Political Party. Its not. And whenever an elected official suggests otherwise, we should be unequivocally unequivocal in condemning that because israel should never be a football that american politicians kick around in an effort to score points. [applause] maintaining bipartisan support for israel is more important now than it has ever been in my lifetime because today we are confronted by sights that we thought wed never see outside of old black and white news reels. Synagogues attacked, jews murdered, neonazi marching brazenly under torch lights. Not in some other country, but here in the United States. Tree of life was the synagogue that my sister margery attended when she lived in pittsburgh many years ago. It was a tragic day for her and our whole family as well and i know many people in the audience are personally affected by the tragedy as well. Since that attack jews have been targeted for murder in more than a dozen synagogues across america. In the new york area bullets ripped through a kosher store in jersey city. The window of a brooklyn synagogue were smashed during Rosh Hashanah and jews have been beaten and harassed in the streets. The fact is attacks on jews have been taking place with horrifying regularity and here is why that is relevant to aipacs mission. Because when hatred against jews rises, so, do, against the jewish state and israel always winds up paying the price. So if were going to defend our most important ally then its not enough to stand up to their adversaries in the middle east, we need to stand up to antisemitism everywhere, including here in the United States. [applause] when we look around america, it is clear we are facing not only another epidemic of antisemitism, but a rising tide of hatred rit large because the fact is, there has been an increase in attacks on all groups have a long history of being scapegoated and repressed for being other, different, lesser and less than fully america, and im not only talking about jews, but im also talking about immigrants, muslims, black americans, women, and the lbgtq community. [applause] we must stand up to those attacks together. You know, i remember visiting auschwitz a couple of years ago walking the same paths our ancestors trudged down to the gas chambers. Whenever i think of the holocaust im reminded of a teaching of rabbi sachs of great britain. The hate that starts with the jews never end there, but we also know, dont we, what starts with others, so often ends with us, with the jewish people and with israel. So we need to stand up against all bigotry and hatred. [applause] for 12 years as marry led the as mayor, i led the most diverse city in the nation and never prouder when i stood in the shadow of the statue of liberty and argued that muslims had the right to build a Center Including near the world trade center. That was the right thing to do and also the smart thing to do. Our city was safer because we declared loudly and clearly that everyone was welcome in new york no matter what they looked like, who they love, or to whom they prayed. But in recent years weve seen hate crimes increase which raises the question, what has changed . Theres no single answer, i think, and no Single Person or Political Party that is entirely to blame. Antisemitism is hardly the exclusive domain of any one group. It can be found on both the right and the left, on town squares and campus, but theres one thing we cannot ignore, president ial leadership matters. It sets a tone. It is either inclusive or exclusive, divisive or uniting, incendiary or calming. [applause] i believe the only way we can make progress as a country is by bringing people together, not tearing them apart. [applause] and i can just tell you, i will never stand idly by in the face of antisemitism or in the face of hatred against anyone because i know all of our fates are linked. [applause] and as dr. Martin luther king, jr. Said, we are all tied together in a single garment of destiny. So, i want to be clear, if i am elected president i will strongly condemn antisemitism wherever and whenever it appears. And americans will never have to choose between supporting israel and supporting our values here at home. [applause] i will defend both because i know they have always been linked and a strong relationship with israel is based on our values. At this moment in our history, we are called to stand up, not for a Political Party, but for our country, and for our values and for a tradition of bipartisan support that has always defined our relationship with israel. This is about defining the meaning of america and recognizing that all groups who have been marginalized, excluded, repressed, scapegoated, vilified and far worse, rise and fall together. Our best hope, our only hope is standing together, rejecting those who try to seduce us by dividing us and uniting behind the only shield that can protect us, our common values as american citizens, and our common humanity as gods children. [applause] that is what this moment is about. And that is why im here at aipac. Because the people in this room can help lead the way in bringing america back together. And here is the bottom line, when america is strong, israel is strong. Because as all of you know, the inverse is true as well. When america is strong, israel is strong. When america isnt, neither is israel. So, thank you all for everything youre doing to make the relationship between the United States and israel grow stronger and more bipartisan than ever before and i hope you know, i will be standing with you every step of the way. Thank you, god bless. [applause] good morning. Today i want to discuss one of the most important aspects of the policy conference. No, not the premier, it was that i was pretty cool. Talk about what we will do tomorrow when we, thousands of proisrael americans take to the hill to meet with our elected officials pushing a bipartisan agenda that will move policy, and will help keep israel safe, and america strong. [applause] as weve already seen on the stage, our ally israel faces very real threats on its borders, over the horizon, and in the international community. This years lobbying agenda addresses these threats. Specifically, we will advocate for ensuring your Security Assistance to israel without added conditions, extending u. N. Arms embargo on a rent which is set to expire later this year, and standing with israel against illegitimate assaults at the International Criminal court. Now, the first of these issues you know well. Its a core piece of our work, the cornerstone of israels ability to defend itself, and a 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 of the political extremes are calling to condition or cut it. On tuesday we will answer these calls. Reminding our elected officials why the support is so essential to both america and israel. The jewish state faces growing threats and u. S. Assistance helps ensure that israel can defend itself by itself. And we know, america is stronger when israel is secure. America benefits from having a capable ally on the front lines, 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 a a foreign assistance to support lifesaving missiledefense programs like the iron dome. Any cuts, any cuts or political conditions on this critical support would threaten israels security and damage american interests. And israel faces growing threats from all directions. Now is the time to strengthen this vital alliance, not weaken it. The second issue on the agenda addresses one of the many, many threats posed by iran. On october 18 of this year, the United Nations arms embargo against iran will end. Think about that. We cannot allow the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism to legally import and export advanced weapons. Iran is the principal obstacle to peace and stability in the middle east. Its military and terrorist proxies are responsible for injuring and killing thousands of americans. And we all know it is actively working to destroy the state of israel. Removing restrictions on iranian arms transfers will only embolden the regime, adding fuel to the fire in an already dangerous middle east. On tuesday, we will lobby for a bipartisan resolution in the senate, and a bipartisan letter in the house. They urge the administration to extend the u. N. Arms embargo, and to make it clear to the world that existing u. S. Sanctions on irans weapons transfers will remain in place. Finally, the third item on the agenda deals with another emerging threat, a threat to israel and the United States. The International Criminal court, the icc, was created as the court of last resort for the most serious war crimes, specifically focusing on countries lacking the robust judicial systems to bring war criminals to justice. But today the Court May Take action against both america and israel, two countries with worldclass judiciaries. As noble as the goal of the icc are, the court has been politicized as it threatens to isolate and delegitimize the jewish state. Now, this is the exact scenario that american and israeli leaders have long feared. It is why, since the creation of the icc, 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 its jurisdiction. We must be clear. As israel is a singled out facing ongoing assaults International Organizations like the icc, america and israel must stand together. Tuesday, we will support bipartisan letters in both the house and the senate, addressed to the secretary of state urging continuing opposition to the iccs illegitimate action, and making it clear to the world that the United States stands with our ally, israel. [applause] the work that each and every one of you does on behalf of the u. S. Israel relationship is absolutely critical. Your involvement with aipac, your attendance at policy conferences, your relationships with members of congress, and your lobbying on capitol hill, your commitment and your actions 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, it makes all the difference. Supporting Security Assistance, extending the iranian arms embargo, and pushing back against International Efforts to weaken israel. And so much more. So i look forward to seeing all of you on capitol hill tomorrow. Thank you, and good luck. [applause] my family is in syria. In our community we have a strong bond with israel. Its something you grew up with. Something our children grew up with pick me up others arrived in america because unfortunate conditions in the country where we were living. We were so happy to be somewhere where we were not persecuted for our religion and able to live freely. We didnt really want to make waves. The first year we came to aipac and did know what i was getting involved in. There were so many people from every part of america. Everybody was there for the same reason, to support israel. What could be better than that . Im proud to say the first time i came to aipac there were about ten members of my community, and this has policy conference, over 300 did appear we have become more aware that we do have a voice and we need exercise of that voice so that we have opportunities to speak what we feel and make some changes. If you dont speak up, there are dangers in that. Especially when it comes to israel. We are entitled to raise our voice and we are entitled to speak out, and thats what im here at aipac. Please welcome aipac activist rita franco and members of the northeast council. Please Welcome Senate Foreign Relations Committee Members senator cory booker. Hello. Good morning. You all have killed me a little bit. I grew up in a small black church where call and response is so important. Good morning. Good morning. That is really good. Fact if i 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 from all over our nation. There are people from all over the political spectrum. Today we are united in our firm purpose unequivocally, and resolutely. We believe in the state of israel. [applause] we believe in the unshakable bond between our countrys. [applause] we believe that israel is our indispensable ally in an increasingly dangerous 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 for support them, ensuring that they have the means and the resources to provide for their security, and hours. [applause] now, i am the senator from new jersey. [cheers and applause] and i have to say i am so grateful to know there is so much jersey in this room. [applause] i want to thank all of the new jerseyans who are committed to this movement who traveled so far down to participate in this important conference. In fact, 10 , one out of every ten people in this room, is from the state of new jersey. [applause] and i want to give my gratitude to one of my constituents in particular, a friend of mine. For many years he is now the chairman of the board of aipac and im grateful to him, the entire board for the invitation to speak today. Now, i live in newark, new jersey. This is i love to the cheers over there, the newark diaspora is wonderful. As many of you know, for those of you who dont know, the rabbi was an extraordinary rabbi who stood steadfast against the nazis and was expelled from berlin in the 1930s. In the United States he saw the injustices traveling around the country fighting for the support of israel. He saw the challenges of injustice and segregation in the south, and he joined with civil rights advocates knowing that it was critical for the jewish peoples struggle for freedom, that he joined in the larger intrinsically tied freedom of the struggle of black americans. [applause] it was because of his conviction, his activism, his leadership that he had a distinction. In 1963, he was chosen as one of only five speakers to speak on the march on washington. Folks, in the unenviable position of being right before Martin Luther king, but his speech was profound. He spoke about the dangers of being silent in 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 that comes from our unity. He said, and i quote, the time i believe has, to Work Together for it is not enough to hope to give up it not enough to pray together. To Work Together. And that moral moment, that is our call. It is our strength. It is our hope. It lies within our ability to come together as Diverse People to stand together resolutely, and 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. This is not a moment in our nation about left or right. It is a moment of us knowing right and wrong. And too much in america right now we are a nation increasingly divided. [applause] god, when it comes to our purpose, we need a revival in america of the grace. We need in our country to understand that patriotism is love of country. And you cannot love your country unless you love your fellow countrymen and women. [applause] and love is not sentimentality. It is an calls for sacrifice and struggle. It calls for working beyond our differences, to find common ground, to affirm the truth that we share common values, that we have, purpose and common cause. And thus, we must stand on common ground. And i come here today to say to you with this spirit, knowing this urgency, knowing the need to bring this country together to reaffirm the truth, that america supports for israel is common ground. [applause] Americas Partnership with israel has never been and must never become a republican issue or a democratic issue. It must always be an american issue, a bipartisan issue, our issue. [applause] this, this is our truth. It reflects our love of all people. It is this the bond between the United States and israel that has always derived its power from the fact that has very little to do with what party or 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 willing to sacrifice for each other, how deep our love is. As a United States senator i see it as my obligation, my duty to protect the bipartisan nature of this sacred friendship between israel and the United States. [applause] and i call on all of us, no matter what your party, no matter what your race or religion, i call on all of us, everyone in this room and a point outside of it, who care deeply about preserving that essential bond between our two nations. I call on you to guard against those who insidiously try to politicize the american Israeli Partnership for their own gain, or divide us against each other because together, as the rabbi said, and that moral moment come in that time, together we have work to do. There is no greater illustration of that than that ancient evil that is on the rise of antisemitism. We see it here at home when jews are killed in the synagogue at pittsburgh and in a Kosher Grocery store in my state of new jersey. We see that hatred rising around the globe. There is an urgency before us. We together have work to do. As long as the people of israel have to live under the constant threat of indiscriminate violence whether its emanating from Iran Destabilizing actions and iraq, and lebanon and syria, or from hezbollah or hamas or other terrorist groups, we must always, as a matter of human values, stand for israels security and defense. [applause] together, together we have work to do. As long as Israeli Citizens live under the horrifying threat of rocket attack, we must continue our support for the iron dome or is a Defense System for critical intelligence cooperation and Key Technology and resources essential for Israel Defense to as a senator i will not speak with the kid. I. I will always support those programs, those resources, our partnerships. Because together we have work to do. [applause] when amendments are introduced, when amendments are introduced to the Foreign Relations committee to try to block aid to israel, when the dangerous boycott divestment and sanctions media campaigns tried to undermine and isolate israel, silence is complicity. We must always speak out against it. We must always stand against them. Together, we have work to do. [applause] like you, ive long advocated for a twostate solution. Because it is the only pathway to a lasting peace. Those of us gathered together here today know that we stand for israels safety, security, and the right to exist as a jewish state. We know that we must also therefore then stanford human dignity, the human rights, the safety and selfdetermination of the palestinian people. [applause] this, you know, our Jewish Values. The love of neighbors, its a jewish value that said goodman and cheney and black and white and christian jewish, this value is why they died together and mississippi. These are Jewish Values. [applause] its core to the very ideals of what it means to be a human. It is Jewish Values that, if im not for myself, who will be for me if i only for myself . And what am i . These are Jewish Values. [applause] its the song sung during the high holidays made my house be a a house of prayer for many nations. These are Jewish Values. These are human values. They are our pathway to peace and security for all. Lasting peace will be achieved when we renounce hatred and terrorism, when we sit down with our neighbors, jew and muslim, israel, israeli and palestinians, and forge a pathway to that which is been dreamt of four generations. This is a pathway to peace, a pathway to strength, its the understanding of what we must do together. Together, we have work to do. But i want to say today, too often we talk about the conflict and the challenges but we dont celebrate the truth and the fullness of israel. Its important that we note what we all know. We support israel not just because it is in art nationals could interest to do so, but because of what israel means for the world. [applause] to ensure israels security means we are enabling and powering a democratic nation of disproportionate innovation and ingenuity to do the work that is literally repairing the world israel is helping to lead all of humanity in pioneering new technology, the development, to take on threats from Climate Change to the looming crisis of global water security to Global Health epidemics. Israel is helping to lead humanity out of the darkness, out of the valley of the shadow of death. A nation of innovation, of creativity and leadership for the greater good of all people. As isaiah said, i like unto all nations. [applause] a light. Light unto all nations. Those are israels values and those are american values. This is our shared dream. One of my many trips to israel long before i was a senator, might israeli friends pointed out to me mount nebo. This was a mountain god allowed moses to climb up to come look over and see the promised land. It is 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, and ive looked over and i have seen the promised land. I may not get there with you but i want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the promised land. Martin luther king went to bed that night, april 3, and he woke on april 4 in the Lorraine Motel, soon after he woke in the morning he went out onto the balcony and he was slain by an assassins bullet. If you go to that site today at the Lorraine Motel now, a museum, if you go there you will see written on a block of stone where he was killed, the words of the torah, words of the old testament, the words of josephs brothers, the words uttered before they threw in a pit to die, but he did not die in that pic. He rose up to lead a nation through crisis. The words written there were these, behold, here cometh a dreamer. Let us slay him and we shall see what becomes of his dreams. My brothers and sisters, what will become of the dream . The dream of our ancestors, the dream of israel, the dream of america. We have that dream and our hands now. What will become of the dream . It falls on us right now, right here. What will become of the dreams, the dreams of peace and justice for all, from black and white and brown, muslim and christin and jew, israeli, american, palestinian . What will become of our dream . Will it be graded and diminished . Will it become divided against itself, or will we, the joshua generation, will we retain the dream, and we reclaim the hope, will we reclaim the promise of our ancestors who sacrificed and struggled and bled and died for their dream . What will become of the dream on our watch . Will return not against each other but to each other . Will we lift each other up and not tear each other down . Will we Work Together so that our generation, we will fulfill the prophecies of old. We will ensure that swords are finally beaten into ploughshares. We will ensure that in our generation, justice will roll down like waters and just like an ever rolling stream. Will we ensure the dreams of those before us that small black children and white children and brown children and Muslim Children and christian children and jewish children will finally join hands and sing in the course of love we are free at last. Free from fear. Free from violence, free from hate. That is the work we must do together with love. We together will keep america safe. We together will keep israel safe. [applause] we will keep between us and unbreakable, unshakable on. Yes, my brothers and sisters, there is work to do. But my face faith and my hope y love knows that we will rescue the dream we will ensure that israel and america remain alike as a law of nations. May god bless you. May god bless israel. May god bless all of gods children. And may god bless the United States of america. Thank you. [cheers and applause] as we grapple with the challenges, really significant challenges of the 21st century, israel has this real experience that we need to turn to. We can benefit from. The relationship between the United States and israel was one of our most important relationships and strongest allies in the world. Theres now become a growing relationship thats built between our economies. In 2014 i worked with my good friend Ileana Roslehtinen and we introduce the Strategic Partnership act. We look at israel, how can they contribute to the world and we wrote a very comprehensive bill that would encompass all of those areas in terms of cybersecurity, in terms of energy, water conservation, space technology, innovation, you name it, we can find a partner in israel. On my first trip to israel id a chance to visit a desalination plant. It was her impressive, the technology was extraordinary. In 2014 in my home state of california Governor Brown signed and m. O. U. With the state of israel. A lot of different issues one of which was cooperation in terms of water technology. The intellectual capital that israel puts together to solve their own problems, to be the master of their own destiny is a really powerful part of the relationship that we can learn a lot from. Look, we know that israel is a start of nation. People have heard that for a while start of nation. The threats israel faces and cyber taxes led to some really significant advances. I think you look at all aspects of our life when its her own homeland security, our military, our financial security, our energy security, cybersecurity crosses all of these and i think weve got to realize in order for us to have a safer world for our children and grandchildren, we need to stick with our friends. I think thats what we need to make sure we are doing here at home in our country. Israel is already collaborate collaborating with the United States and all of their allies to say how can we be energy security, Energy Independent . How do we make sure Climate Change will not bring havoc into our country . Now that israel has been able to open up areas of production in natural gas, we can learn, share some of that experience that we have here if we can learn from each other to keep getting better, it helps both of our economies. That alliance we have with israel started because we shared similar beliefs about democracy and individual freedom. But now its expanded, everything you look at israel, they are the leaders of the pack. As americans whether youre a democrat or republican or independent or other party can understand the importance of u. S. Israel relationship. Helping israel is not only good for israel, its good for both countries. We have to recognize that our house that israel has become, the economic powerhouse, the technological powerhouse. And look for opportunities to Work Together to benefit one another. Its not just a oneway relationship. It really works to benefit both countries. Please welcome founder of scott anderson. Good morning. Im really honored to be here. Really, really its an honor to be a very i appreciate it so much. For those of you who havent experienced it firsthand, the idea of military combat is incomprehensible. The stress, the knowledge that your life is in constant danger, the mental and physical toll on soldiers is profound. Nearly every soldier returns from war changed, but for some the struggle to get back to sleep life can prove difficult if not impossible. The fact that war causes deep psychological trauma is not new. Is far back as world war i they called it shellshocked. But today we know it as poster map stress disorder, ptsd. As many as one in every five veterans of the wars in iraq, afghanistan have suffered from posttraumatic stress. Sadly, studies show many soldiers experiencing symptoms never seek treatment. The result, a shockingly high suicide rate among veterans. The idea of even one american soldier making such a decision seems horrifying, but in reality an average of 25 veterans a day met suicide. 25 veterans a day. Im not a veteran. Ive not served our country, but as an american when i heard the statistics i felt compelled to act. In 2007 i founded an organization based in omaha, nebraska, aimed at helping veterans and their families. To know no ones surprise muche groundbreaking research being done on postmap stress is happening in the show. The jewish state leadership in ptsd research was born not of desire, but of necessity. In israel, military services compulsory nearly every young person is expected to serve but in israel the frontline isnt halfway around the world. Its around the corner and you have an issue that impacts not only soldiers but also a significant number of civilians. Researchers in israel have developed approaches to both treat and prevent ptsd. Some of the most important work is being done at tel aviv university, and lead that effort is a court issue of sufferers of ptsd is it everyday situations can trigger symptoms. In omaha we articulate interested in an online Treatment Program developed by the doctor and his team. Unlike other methods, the person is not forced to relive the trauma. This treatment is simple and important it is not invasive. And it is completely groundbreaking. In collaboration with Creighton University and university of nebraska medical center, we became one of tel aviv universities first u. S. Partners and testing centers. We have completed our first Clinical Trial and were almost complete with our second Clinical Trial. The results of research completed to date shows a significant reduction of symptoms, anecdotally 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 recovering, all due to Israeli Technology. [applause] we are now among more than 50 american universitys and Government Agencies working with israel on this research, including the National Institute of health and the department of defense. [applause] in omaha we remain inspired our partners in israel, their compassion and creativity, their willingness to test new ideas. Pushes us to expand our reach and help as Many Americans as we can. Im proud to share that we are now using Israeli Technology to not only help nebraskas veterans but also to address the psychological needs of victims of Domestic Violence and sexual assault, as well as Omaha Public School children with ptsd. [applause] the research being done in israel is impacting and even saving the lies of people here in america. [applause] today it is my honor to recognize the menu is made our work possible in the audience, please welcome my friend and partner dr. Barhaim of tel aviv university. [applause] the friendship between our two countries makes this collaboration possible and undeniably effective. Our behalf of my organization and the veterans we serve, thank you very much. Thank you. [applause] this is the house where i was brought up. I am one of six. This was really a house of happiness, and goodness to others. My father is dr. David applebaum and he was superman in the most real way. As a physician and a world note in which he connected to each and every person. My fathers work was really part of our family, part of our home. It was important for him that you dont just treat the illness. You actually treat the patient. Patients would common in the middle of shabbat meal at my father would either take care of them on the couch right next to us all, or in the kitchen. I remember him suturing right here. It a part of us. My father had a lot of experience with terrorist attacks in israel. He would either go straight there or to the hospital. He had this urge in him to help save lives everywhere at any time he could. In 2003 i was working, and we were preparing for a wedding. My father went out to pick up some iced coffee. It was my fathers time to get her ready in his way for her wedding. We are familiar with those sounds going up in jerusalem. You hear the explosion and then a minute of silence and then sirens. We got a phone call from a friend telling us there was that attack. Our friend rod us to the hospital, and as we walked in my older brother was waiting for us. And he told us my father was killed. And then maybe an hour or two later i think she was killed. I was shocked. It couldnt be because my father was always on the other side, and he was strong and he would be the one saving lives. Nava was some nava was just hours from her wedding. She was so happy. After such a great loss, my family chose life. We took all of what we got and all the inspiration from my father and from nava, and try to live life like most of us did end up in the medical field. We have my brother who is running the clinic and carrying on after my father and then we have my sister and my boss who is a paramedic and head of a nursing staff, and then theres me, working as a nurse. We all Work Together. We have a good time and sure, my father is thrilled. I love what i do. Every day when i walked into work i passed my fathers picture and i feel like he is with me. Hes with me all day. Today my baby is named after my father, and he was actually born on the anniversary of the attack. A few years later i had a girl, and we named her nava after my sister, nava. Life here is so hard. The combination of loss and grief together with life and grace, and thats what makes us who we are. [applause] please welcome Shayna Applebaum and [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 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. Thank you. [applause] please welcome aipac president betsy berns korn. Good afternoon. Our next guest has a deep and personal relationship with israel and with aipac. In words and deeds, Vice President pence has consistently [applause] has consistently revealed his love for israel and his commitment to her security. Because of his belief and the importance of the u. S. Israel relationship, Vice President pence has made it a priority to speak at every single policy Conference Since he became Vice President. [applause] we are greatly appreciative of all that the Trump Administration has done to advance the u. S. Israel relationship since the last time we met. [applause] formally recognizing israels sovereignty over the Golan Heights. [applause] issuing an executive order to protect pro israel students on American College campuses. [applause] defending israel from outrageous assaults at the u. N. [applause] implementing dozens of new sanctions against iran, and terrorist proxies. [applause] taking out the terrorist mastermind behind irans campaign against america and israel. [cheers and applause] and releasing a peace proposal that was developed in consultation with the leaders of israels two Major Political parties. [applause] mr. Vice president , on behalf of aipac and its leadership, let me say thank you. [applause] thank you to you and to President Trump for these and many other steps you have taken to deepen Americas Partnership with our steadfast ally, the state of israel. [applause] ladies and gentlemen, please join me in welcoming a true friend of israel and aipac, the Vice President of the United States, mike pence. [cheers and applause] [applause] well, hello, aipac. [shouting] members of congress, israeli ministers, members of the knesset, and especially to all my fellow americans who have come here today from near and far it is great to be back at aipac, the largest gathering of friends of israel anywhere in the world. [applause] thank you all for that warm welcome. And how about another round of applause with a team that put this extraordinary 2020 policy conference together, betsy, the core of aipac, my friend, howard kohr. [applause] great to be with you all. But its especially great to be here with so Many College Students from around the country. [applause] if any of you get in trouble with your professors for skipping class, just tell them you were here in washington protesting. [laughing] but tell them you were not protesting against israel. You were protesting in your Nations Capital for israel. [applause] good to be with so many friends. And speaking of friends, allow me to bring greetings from another friend of mine. [applause] a man i believe is the greatest friend of the jewish people and the state of israel ever to sit in the oval office of the white house. I bring greetings from the 45th president of the United States of america, President Donald Trump. [cheers and applause] we gather today from all across our nation to celebrate a relationship that has never been stronger. But we also gather at a time of concern, four millions of americans as our nation deals with the impact of the coronavirus. So allow me to address that or just a moment. First, to be clear, resident 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 from china, and we initiated an unprecedented courting efforts for americans that were returning even as the president established the White House Coronavirus task force, which he has literally met every single day since. The president has directed me to lead a whole of government approach to address the coronavirus in this country, and we are doing just that. [applause] while the risks to the American Public remains low, as the president said last week, we can be assured we are ready for anything. As of today where 43 cases that it be detected in the United States, and another 48 cases among americans who have been repatriated from china. The. The vast majority of americans who have contracted the virus, a police report, a recovering and doing well. But several patients but some patients remain hospitalized, and sadly, the American People learned this morning that another coronavirus patient, a man with Underlying Health conditions, has passed away and we send our deepest condolences to his family. I would encourage all of you gathered here today to keep in your prayers all of those impacted by this disease across our country and around the world. And here at home also keep in your hearts and prayers the extraordinary Healthcare Providers that serve this nation every day. [applause] we are all in this together. Its always a good idea to practice common sense to protect your health and the health of your family, but especially so today. But i want to assure you that President Trumps directions 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. [applause] we thank you for that. As President Trump declared in his historic visit to jerusalem, as evidenced 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 if the world knows nothing else, the world knows this. America stands with israel. [applause] in january it was my great honor on behalf of the president and the American People to address a ceremony in jerusalem marking the 75th anniversary of the liberation of auschwitz. We paid tribute, along with more than 50 countries to the 6 million jews who died in the holocaust, and what President Trump rightly called the dark stain on human history. The greatest evil ever perpetrated by man against man in the long catalogue of human crime. But just as we honor the dead, we also honored the faith and resilience of the jewish people who just three years after walking in the valley of the shadow of death rows up from the ashes to reclaim a jewish future, and rebuild a jewish state. [applause] and im proud to say as Vice President of the United States, the American People have been with them every step of the way since 1948. [applause] we stand with israel today for the same reasons the American People have posted with israel. We stand with israel because her cause is our cause. Her values are our values. Her fight is our fight. We stand with israel because we believe in right over wrong, in good over evil, and liberty over tyranny and we stand with israel because we cherish that ancient promise that americans have always cherished throughout our history, that those who bless her will be blessed. [applause] President Trump promised the United States would ensure that israel would always have the resources and tools she needed to defend herself by herself. And today im proud to report that americans support for the security of the state of israel is greater than ever before, and the state of israel is a stronger than ever before in its history. [applause] President Trump was also taken one action after another, evidenced our support for israel. This president promised to shut down the plo office in washington if the Palestinian Authority did not take immediate steps to stop funding the terrorists who murdered innocent israeli civilians, and when the plo did not act, President Trump shut it down. This president also promised that america would no longer allow the United Nations to become a forum for invective against israel. [applause] and this president delivered when he withdrew the United States from the socalled Human Rights Council at the un and ended all us contributions to unra. [applause] our administration will never tolerate the suppression, persecution or silencing of the jewish people. We stood up to antisemitism on the world stage and we stood up to it at home. Last december, President Trump signed the strongest executive order ever written to fight antisemitism when he banned taxpayer dollars from any institution of Higher Education that traffic in antisemitic hate. Our message to americas colleges and universities is clear. If you want millions of dollars in taxpayer support, reject antisemitism and reject it now. And the President 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. [applause] like when he rejected half a century of Peace Process dogma and proclaimed that israeli civilian settlements in the west bank are not illegal. [applause] and as i have the joy ofseeing firsthand , just a few short weeks agowhen i visited israel in january , i had the honor to meet with Prime Minister netanyahu. At the new American Embassy in jerusalem. The capital of the state of israel. [applause] and just five weeks ago, President Trump also release his vision for peace, prosperity and a Brighter Future for israelis and palestinians. It is the most serious, realistic and detailed plan ever presented and one that could make israeli alice indians in the region safer and more prosperous. [applause] the American People have always prayed or the peace of jerusalem and so we will continue to do. And we believe our vision provides the very basis for historic progress towards true and lasting peace. Under President Trumps plan, israel will not have to take any additional security risk, not a single israeli will be uprooted from their home. And jerusalem will remain united recognized capital of the state ofisrael. [applause] relief will relax require compromise and i promise you, america will never compromise the safety and security of the jewish day of israel. So weve been standing with our most chatter terrorist allies and weve been standing up to our enemies. As the world and of theregion understand better every day , israel is is the problem in the middle east. We all know who is. 75 years ago america and britain defeated nazi germany for 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 ran would obtain the same weapons. Then something extraordinary happened. The American People elected a leader, decisive and unafraid as their president and residents trump kept his word when he withdrew the United States from the disastrous iran nuclear deal. Like the hebrew prophets job said, america said far shall ye, but no further. Our president s made the best decision in the interest of the United States and israel. But he also believe it was in the best interests of peace. Because we believe alasting peace can only be built on a foundation of truth. And with the support of our friend israel, the United States is working to build as the president said as we speak a coalition of nations who share the aim of stepping up extremism and providing our children a hopeful future that does honor to them. And what followed, the president s historic decision , the United States implemented a maximum Pressure Campaign to change brands maligned behavior and we will hold the regime accountable destructive actions. And the campaign is working. The iranian people are protesting against the regime. The iranian economy is reeling under unprecedented us sanctions. And now iran must choose between caring for his people or continuing to fund its proxies. Selling violence across the region. Now, the president s made it clear, the United States of america is ready to embrace peace with all who seek it. And we truly hope for a better and more prosperous future for the people of iran. But ill make you this promise. We will continue to oppose irans maligned influence, we will continueto bring pressure on their economy and under President Donald Trump, america will never allow ran to obtain a Nuclear Weapon. [applause] quite a contrast from therecent past, isnt it . The last administration was sending pouts of cash to terrorists in iran. This president has taken the fight radical islam terrorists on our terms on their soil. Last year, American Forces captured the last inch of territory beneath the isis flags, faith. And last fall, americans horses down there leader without one american casualty. And when militants stormed our embassy in baghdad, on new years eve, this president send in the marines and said no more ben ghazi. [applause] and when american lives were threatened by the most dangerous terrorist in the world, President Donald Trump took action and cost and so money is gone. Now, you all deserve to know that every one of the leading democrats running for president criticized President Trumps decision to take out that leader. Bernie sanders even called the president s decision to take him out in his words, quote, assassinating a governmentofficial. Well, ive got news for Bernie Sanders. He was not some government official, he was a terrorist. And President Trump was right to take him down. Thats what leadership looks like. Thats the leadership of President Donald Trump. These are the days when the jewishpeople were powerless to face of annihilation. Today the United States stands shoulder to shoulder with israel in the defense of our common civilization and against common threats. Rebuilding american deterrence to preserve peace through strength is the centerpiece of President Trumps nationalSecurity Strategy. In this administration we understand weakness arouses evil and history shows the free world is safest when america is strongest. [applause] and 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. So like all of you, weve stood with our most cherished ally as neverbefore. We stood up to iran. But now my friends weve 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 ofcongress. Antisemitism is a unique hatred, uniquely potent, persistent. Uniquely responsible for unconscionable acts of violence which is why we must root antisemitism out from every part of our society. It is not just a threat to Jewish Americans and jews around the world, it is a threat to out us all. [applause] but like the vile ideology that it is, antisemitism is has changed forms in recent days. No longer does it give vent to the hatred of the jewish religion or jewish people. On every occasion, now its is often propagates as simply hatred of the state of israel. So 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 three beautiful jewishgrandchildren , made what may have been the strongest single statement against antisemitism ever uttered by an american president. When moments after the horrific massacre at the tree of life synagogue, in pittsburgh, he said that america would seek the destruction of those who seek the destruction ofthe jews. Never before has any american president spoken with such clarity and resolve to the wider world. [applause] we all know the agent hatredthat they are stirring up. Antisemitism must be universally condemned. It must be fought. And it requires more than watereddown resolutions. It requires action. While mike does not make right in a world filled with evil, right without mike assures the triumph of evil and though israel is today a Global Economic power that has benefited humanity in untold ways, innovations in agriculture, medicine, information and nanotechnology, all is not yet well. Not even here at home. The bipartisan consensus that once supported our most cherished ally and has been so nobly and ably championed by you here at aipac is actually beginning to erode 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 attacked israel as a racist state and the famed aipac as 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 promise you, we will always call out those who try to cloak theiranimus towards israel inside the phony mantle of friendship. The 18,000 friends of israel [applause] gathered here with each one of you, friends of israel from all over this country, republicans, democrats, independents, jews and christians, liberals and conservatives, if we can agree on one thing, it should be this area those who side with israels enemies must never allow the to call themselves friends of israel. It is wrong to boycott and slander israel, islam, it is more wrong to boycott aipac. And i say from my heart, 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. Thats why we need four more years of President Donald Trump in the white house. Im honored to be with all of you today. As your Vice President , to ensure you that President Trump and our administration in and this country will stand with you today, tomorrow and always. For we are as you are, aipac proud. The bond between us is woven in the hearts, people of our countries, is unbreakable and so it shallalways be. 70 years on from that day of liberation. Auschwitz. We remember not simply the tragedy. But also the triumph of freedom. A promise fulfilled. The people restored totheir rightful place among the nations of europe. As we remember the long night of that path and the survivors and the faces of those who were lost. The rose and stood against the evil times. We do well. In january, 50 nations in israel gathered strong. To say just as we all say here today. From across this nation, with one voice. Never again. Through programs, persecutions and explosions in the ghettos and finally, even through the death camps, the jewish people that ancient promise. That he would never you or forsake you. And that he would leave his people to inherit the land that these for your ancestors to give riyadh and he has. The jewish people in turn turned the desert into a garden, scarcity into plenty, sickness intohealth. They turned into a future of security and prosperity , and land with no natural resources, no rushing rivers or verdant valleys, a nation that despite not knowing a single day of true peace has into short generations become one of the worlds most vibrant and successful countries. Israel is an inspiration to the world. And today, as we bear witness to the strength and resilience of the faith of the jewish people, so to 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. And its cherished allies and friends. Robins entrusted the United States to be the guardian of liberty that is a trust we will never forsake. And ladies and gentlemen, israel and the United States will always stand together to because america and israel are more than friends. We are more than partners, we are allies. And friends, the United States and israel our family. [applause] we are. [speaking yiddish] true. We are a family the senate from a common tradition. We are 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 and so we say to all of those gathered here, to all who cherish israel, to the people of israel, the famous words of blessing, may the lord bless you and keep you. May his countenance shine upon you be gracious unto you. They all your ways be paths of these. With the unwavering support of all of you, and all who call these two great nations home, with the leadership of President Donald Trump and with gods help, i know the best days of the United States of america are yet to come thank you. God bless israel and god bless theUnited States of america. Thank you. [inaudible] the u. S. Senate meets at three eastern today to begin work on a bill with a number of energy and environmental provisions, many dealing with Climate Change. They include building codes, battery storage, Carbon Capture and electric grid security. Off the floor negotiations continue on funding for us coronavirus response. House and Senate Negotiators are working on a Funding Amount and the house is expecting to see a bill early this week the Senate Taking it up after the house. This evening we will take your life to Charlotte North Carolina where President Trump is holding a rally ahead of super tuesday tomorrow coverage begins at seven eastern on cspan2, also online cspan. Org or listen live with the free cspan radio app. Was a Live Campaign 2020 super tuesday coverage of the president ial primaries and caucuses from 14 states including alabama, arkansas, california, colorado, maine, massachusetts, minnesota, north carolina, oklahoma, tennessee, texas, utah, vermont and virginia with desired results, coverage begins tuesday live, 9 pm eastern on cspan, or listen from wherever you are on the free radio app. There are a lot of ways to follow this highly competitive election season on the cspan network but probably the fastest and easiest is on the web at cspan. Org. We have among other things our campaign 2020 interactive calendar with the results maps of all the upcoming primaries andcaucuses including super tuesday. The event tracker, a tool for quick and easy search of the 20 20candidates. Our coverage based on the candidates and the topics, the events and locations on the campaign trail of course the statebystate results broken down by the candidate, county and district not only for the president ial candidates for the upcoming senate, house and governors races and our schedule information. Its free, it is easily accessible, its all there at cspan. Org. Coming up next, key speeches from last weeks cpac conference, starting with mike pompeo followed by Jared Kushner who talks about the administrations accomplishments and President Trumps reelection efforts and then acting white house chief of staff Mike Mulvaney in the subject of black lives matter on gun rights and now secretary pompeo introduced by susan pompeo. Good afternoon. I have said to sue before he came out on stage just about my bad tennis game and my back cancel i love her, shes always looked up for me and im pretty sure mike is back stage, a little bit nervous because he thinks its a good idea for me to introduce him