Israel, An American Value...

Once again, keep in mind I took notes as best I could (and I'm tying as I run out the door so I'm not proof reading like I should). I'm not perfect at catching everything nor reading my own handwriting. That said... There is a terrific exhibit available for self-guided tour all day -- a strategic tour of Iran's nuclear fuel cycle. Really helps you to understand how close they are to making nuclear bombs. Some scary stuff.

The morning plenary's star would be Israeli Minister of Justice Tzipi Livni, but it was opened by an impressive young man -- Bakari Sellers of SGA president of Morehouse College, the only all male historically black institution of higher learning in the US. He talked about how much he learned about Israel during his first AIPAC policy conference experience last year and how it's affected him. He then passed the baton, so to speak, to others. People like Sheriff Michael Brown, Ms. Annie McTavish (saying it was her guess that she was the only McTavish in the room) and Representative Linda Sanchez. They all spoke of the impact Israel has had on them, reiterating the theme of the conference -- Israel, an American value.

One of the more interesting speeches was done by Mr. Hugh Hewitt, a nationally syndicated radio talk show. He said there are six fundamentals to know about Israel.

1. It's a creation of International... (sorry I can't recall the word but hopefully you get the idea)
2. Israel is a democracy
3. It is a friend to the US with few equals
4. You don't need to believe in the Bible to support Israel; if you do believe, you must support Israel
5. Israel has never not wanted peace
6. It's a very small country where "risks for peace" can challenge its very existence

Lastly, he denounced his fellow Presbyterians' divestment plan.

Onto Tzipi Livni. She looked at us all (around 5,000) and said this was an image she'd never forget. It was very moving. She said it's a war on three fronts.

1. Global terrorism
2. War against anti-Semitism around the world
3. Fight for the very existence of Israel

They've had 57 years of fighting terror, 57 years of calls for their non-existence. The process of delegitimizing Israel's existence. The two-state solution is based on the need for justice for both people. Refugees need to return -- to their own state. Some Palestinians are trying to make a distinction between the refugee crisis and their own state. To those people, she says, "This is not the meaning of the concept." If Palestinian State based on terror, they'll use it to destroy Israel. They need to dismantle terror. There are two options for Israel.

1. Remain in stagnant position, blaming the Palestinians
or
2. Change by taking steps, show Israel means business.

If Israel is not in the territory then they can't use them as an excuse for terror.

The role of US: since the April 04 speech of Bush where he said his vision of two homelands -- refugees go to Palestinian state and he supported the vision of two states, made disengagement possible. Different message and different facts are necessary if we hope to maintain freedom of speech and law and order.