Edelstein. Please welcome the 2017 from the university of pennsylvania [ inaudible ] ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. Our program will ghin five minutes. Our program will begin in five minutes. Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats. Our program will begin in one minute. Ladies and gentlemen oushgs program will now begin. Please welcome this years winners of the duke ruddman leadership award, the student activists from Florida State university. [ applause ] thank you all so much for the biggest shoutout of Student Group can receive. The support we get from aipac staff and all of you 24 7 allows us to do our work and be successful. For all of us and the rest of the nearly 4,000 student activityists here this week, this conference gives us a huge dose of inspiration to tackle tough challenges back on campus and carry out our work all year long. And i know it is the same for all of you. Policy conference is like no other experience. That is why each year our campus along with our friends over at university of florida have sent some of the larger student delegations to the conference. Next year, we plan to bring even more student leaders representing the seminole nation. Lets see who brings the numbers in 2018. Whatever your school, whoever you cheer for, be sure to register before you leave town to take advantage of special discounts. We will see new d. C. Next year. Thank you and as always, go noles welcome our congresswomen. These days, its a rare sight to see a democrat and a republican standing next to each other let alone sharing the stage. But were proud to join you in delivering an important message. Whether it comes to supporting israel, democrats and republicans stand together. Kay and i have worked for eight years to strengthen the u. S. Israel relationship as partners and friends. We Work Together most closely as members of the appropriation subcommittee on state and foreign operations. She was chairwoman at the time and i was ranking member. Our relationship is based on mutual respect. We agree on many issues like the United States unequivocal support for israel. And there are some issues we dont agree on. But we always listen to each other and we recognize in order to get things done, we have to Work Together. And we share a common belief that keeping america safe requires a network of strong partnerships around the world. In our committee roles, we help ensure Congress Supports our friends and allies through foreign aid. Foreign assistance plays a crucial role in advancing our National Security interests and makes up just a small fraction of the federal governments budget less than 1 . And for that minor investment, the United States gets a major payoff. Stronger alliances, a safer, more stable world, and a boost to our economy. Security assistance to israel is one of the corner stones of the u. S. Israel relationship. There is no shortage of dangers facing the jewish state, whethers the destabilizing actions of iran, the syrian civil war, the spread of isis, or the constant threat of violence from terrorist groups like hamas and hezbollah. Our investment helps israel. Our most steadfast partner gain access to the latest technology and resources to defend itself no matter the threat. And because israel buys mostly American Technology and supplies with foreign aid our investment nets us more exports, more growth, and more jobs right here in america. Most importantly, a modest investment in foreign assistance is the most Cost Effective way to prevent threats from arising in the first place. Thats why we are staunch advocates of Security Assistance to israel and why were grateful to the people in this audience who work tirelessly to engage all of us in congress on this vital issue, both republicans and democrats. The relationship we built on the Appropriations Committee helped us Work Together on other fronts to advance a strong u. S. Israel relationship. Last year kay and i coauthored a bipartisan letter cosigned by 394 other house members reiterating our support for a twostate solution supporting direct negotiations between the israelis and the palestinans and denouncing onesided antiisrael resolutions in the United Nations. And earlier this month, thanks to bipartisan support, the house approved more than 600 million for israeli Missile Defense programs like iron dome and an additional 42 million for u. S. israeli antitunnel cooperation. We will continue to work togeth together. The stakes on this issue and the entire foreign aid budget are too high and we know when it comes to americas support for israel, partnership must overcome partisanship. Thank you. Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, the founder of the jerusulam orchestra. Please welcome coauthor of startup nation. Its no secret that there are few places in the world where israel is more constantly and unfairly attacked than at the United Nations. The woman we are about to hear from is determined to change that. In january she gave up her position as governor of South Carolina to represent the United States at the United Nations because she knew she could make a difference. Although shes only been at the u. N. For two months, shes already making her mark. Speaking out against attacks on israel and standing in the proud tradition of past ambassadors like Daniel Patrick and gene ki kirkpatrick. Less than two weeks the ambassador once again responded to an attack on israel demanding the u. N. Attack a report that attacked israel as an apartheid state and her action had impact. Soon after the secretary general required retransactiction of th report. Following a recent u. N. Security Council Meeting on the middle east, the ambassador came out to the press and articulated some plain truths. Heres what she said. Quote, the discussion today on the middle east was not about illegal build up or rockets. It was not about the money and weapons that iran provides to terrorists. It was not about how we defeat isis. It was not about how we hold bashar assad accountable. Instead the meeting focused on criticizing israel, the one true democracy in the middle east. And she closed her statement by saying, im here to say the United States will not turn a blind eye to this any more. I think youd all agree this has been a pretty refreshing change. So please join me in welcoming the agent of that change, the United States ambassador to the United States, the honorable nikki haley. Ambassador, i think theyre a little luke warm. Im not sure what the reception is going to be like. Lets pick up on where i left in the introduction. That statement you made following that security Council Meeting on the middle east. Were you surprised what you saw about the attitudes and discussions on the middle east at the u. N. And what can be done to change it . I was confused. It was totally bizarre because in my first month talking about the middle east theres a lot talk about. Whether youre talking about isis, all the issues in syria, which is a problem, thats what i expected us to talk about. I didnt expect an israel bashing session. And literally listening to each member say the same thing over and over again i knew they said it was bad, but until you hear it and you see it, you just cant comprehend how ridiculous it is. So a lot of people here are just getting to know you for the first time. The theme of our conference this year is many voices, one mission. Celebrating the diversity of the proisrael cause. Can you talk a little bit about how you started to learn about israel. I am the daughter of indian parents who reminded my brothers my sisters and me every day how blessed we were to live in this country. The truth is i have seen so many similarities between the israeli culture and the indian culture. Were very close knit. We love our families. We have a strong work ethic. We believe in professionalism and giving back. Thats very true. So thats all the good things. Were aggressive. Were stubborn and we dont back down from a fight. So i want to talk about some policy issues youre dealing wi with. You said any resolution of syrian war should not leave iran in any control of territory or influence in territory where it could pose a threat to americas allies, including israel. From your perspective at the u. N. , what is the attitude about the enforcement of the iran deal and how to hold iran account accountable. How do we hold iran accountable for the deal and for the threats its posing . Its concerning. The reason its concerning is because when the iran deal took place, all it did was empower iran and it empowered russia. And it emboldened iran to feel like they could get away with more. You can put sanctions on a country. To take sanctions away, its very hard to go back and put sanctions back on. What we have said is were going to watch them like a hawk and make sure that every single thing they do is watched, processed and dealt with, but my concern is you are seeing a lot of love for the iran deal in the Security Council and thats unfortunate and why that was ever passed is beyond me. It is terrible. [ applause ] i want to quote from your first remarks, your first public remarks as ambassador. You said regarding those countries, those nations that dont have americas back at the u. N. , i think everyone was sort of stunned when you said this because you said, quote, were taking names. You said were taking names and we will make points to respond to that accordingly. So specifically what can the United States do, what can the ambassador for the United States do to hold countries accountable to, as you said, to address the fact that many of them dont have americas back at the u. N. . You want to see my list, dont you . We have a little bit of time. Basically what it comes down to is im not there to play. And what i wanted to make sure of was that the United States started leading again. Leading isnt saying and doing things when its comfortable. Leading is saying and doing things when its not comfortable. So the goal was have the backs of our allies. Never again do what we saw happen with resolution 2334 and make anyone question our support. [ applause ] when resolution 2334 happened and the u. S. Abstained, the entire country felt a kick in the gut. We had just done something that showed the United States at its weakest point ever. Never do we not have the backs of our friends. We dont have a greater friend than israel. [ applause ] and to see that happen was not only embarrassing, it was hurtful. And so what i can tell you is everyone at the United Nations is scared to talk to me about resolution 2334. And i wanted them to know that, look, that happened, but it will never happen again. So to answer the question on what can we do at the u. N. , we do a lot. The power of your voice is an amazing thing. So one changing the culture of the u. N. Is very important and the way you change the culture of the u. N. Is the United States tells them what were not going to put up with. We start to change the culture to what we should be talking about and then we actually act on what we say. I wear heels. Its not for a fashion statement. Its because if i see something wrong, were gonna kick them every single time. [ applause ] so how are we kicking . Were kicking by putting everyone on notice saying if you have our back, were going to have the backs of our friends, but our friends need to have our back too. If youre challenging us be prepared because we will respond. The next thing we did is we said the days of israel bashing are over. [ applause ] we have a lot of things to talk about. There are a lot of threats to peace and security, but youre not going to take our number one democratic friend in the middle east and beat up on them. And i think what youre seeing is theyre all backing up a little bit. The israel bashing is not as loud. They didnt know exactly what i meant outside of giving the speech so we showed them. So when they decided to try and put a palestinian in one of the highest positions at the u. N. , we said no and we had him booted out. That doesnt mean he wasnt a nice man. That doesnt mean he wasnt good to america. What it means is until the Palestinian Authority comes to the table and until the u. N. Responds the way theyre supposed to, there are no freebies for the palestinian authorities anymore. [ applause ] so then they tested us again and this ridiculous report came out. I dont know who the guy is or what hes about, but he has serious problems. Goes and compares israel to an apartheid state so we say this is ridiculous, you have to pull. The secretary general immediately pulled the report and then the director has now resigned. [ applause ] so for anyone that says you cant get anything done at the u. N. , they need to know theres a new sheriff in town. [ applause ] last question. I think this crowd would be thrilled to hear you for hours, but we are going to days, weeks, months. When you were governor of South Carolina you signed into law the first antibds legislation signed in any state capital in South Carolina, any state capital in america. This is an that is close to your heart. Now with your new position what do you think could be done to continue and escalate the fight against those that want to delegitimatize israel through the movement. We have to show how absurd it is and show in common sense terms if you want to boycott north korea, i get it. If you want to have divestments and pull something away from syria, do it. If you want to talk about other issues that were dealing with, i can understand that, but israel . Number one, i appreciate all the support and kindness and everything that youve given to me. But all i did was tell the truth. [ applause ] and if you want to continue to support me, which i greatly appreciate, understand that by telling the truth and showing the power of your voice and putting action behind it, theres nothing we cant change. So with the bds movement that we were able to stop in South Carolina, were going to continue to take that to the u. N. And make sure that they understand that is not what we need to be focused on. [ applause ] i think you would agree, folks i think you would agree a refreshing voice for america to have at the United Nations, please join me in thanking the honorable nikki haley. In atlanta, we just do things a little different. We get extremely involved. We are passionate. We do build bridges and work with different communities. If you grow up in atlanta halfway involved, you are going to have conversations around issues of civil rights and issues of not just local, but certainly regional and national and international significance. Being in the home of the reverend and dr. Martin luther king, the list goes on and on and weve had examples of people here in atlanta to follow. In order to really impact lasting change, you cant do it by yourself. When we talk about why as africanamericans many of us are involved in apac, the success of the civil rights wasnt just africanamericans standing up and saying civil rights are important, when you tell the story you have to talk about the relationship between the Africanamerican Community and the Jewish Community and the strong support that came from the Jewish Community. My mother and my aunt were very active in the civil rights community. So i grew up hearing stories about how taking an active role could help change the injustice around us. Some 26 odd years ago i was a soldier in the u. S. Army and in basic training we were told we would defend israel at all costs. Fast forward 20 years later, i get to go on a doctor trip. In 2012 i was invited to israel. The foundation education, i thank good for them. The parts of the country we were able to see put a lot of things in context, but it also challenged some of the notions that we may have had about the Israeli Community and the palestinian community. Families that i spoke with and talked about their fear of sending their children to school some days not knowing if they would come back safe, i just couldnt shake the thought of what will i do to make an impact. I feel totally immersed there in the culture and there in israel. When you hear the phrase i am israel, that hits home with me because i felt that when i was there with. I said i have to be a part of this and ive sought ways to do it ever since. I committed right away to spend time and money in support of the coalition. I joined a Washington Club and i guess that wasnt enough for me so i needed some more and i joined the capital club. Then i was told about this Wonderful Group called the congressional club. Thats very important. Because of our shared interests in a safe and secure israel, because of our commitment to improving u. S. israel relationships, i literally can see the impact of the work that we do. When two groups that are very different, have very different issues come together around one issue that they agree upon, that sends a message and thats been the power of what i see as this connection between the Africanamerican Community and the Jewish Community. Those of us who are currently involved, we know that we need to continue to grow. We know that we need to continue to advocate on behalf of the relationship. We know what it means not just to that region, not just to america, but to the entire world. Ladies and gentle