Political leaders, international diplomats and hundreds of pro- Israel Americans will converge on South Florida this weekend for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s (AIPAC) 2010 National Summit on Foreign Policy and Politics.
Widely recognized as one of America’s most exclusive annual foreign policy events, the two-day conference will include keynote addresses by top American, Israeli and international policymakers, including State Department official Dennis Ross, Israeli Minister of Defense Ehud Barak and former Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar.
Members of the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, as well as all three Florida Senate candidates are expected to stress their strong, bipartisan support for the U.S.-Israel relationship and reaffirm American commitment to stopping Iran’s illicit nuclear drive and the need to stand solidly by Israel in its quest for peace.
“At a time of unprecedented challenge and opportunity for America’s ally in the Middle East, the Summit is a resounding show of strong support for the U.S.-Israel relationship,” said AIPAC’s Miami Executive Council Chair Hon. Amy Dean.
Nearly 1,000 pro-Israel advocates are expected to attend the Summit—an exclusive retreat reserved for AIPAC club members who donate more than $3,600 annually. The event, which will run from October 24-25 in Hollywood, will feature speeches and top-level panel discussions with some of the nation’s leading policymakers and experts on the Middle East. In addition to the hundreds of participants from all across the country, more than 150 students from area colleges and universities will also attend the events.
Summit delegates will choose from dozens of panel discussions and town hall forums that address a wide array of issues concerning the U.S.-Israel relationship. Forum topics include Israel’s security challenges, Syria and Iran’s role in fostering instability in the Middle East, Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear bomb, and the future of Israeli-Palestinian relations.
The Summit will conclude Monday evening, with a special community-wide event featuring briefings by senior AIPAC staff. Dedicated to South Florida’s pro-Israel community, the event is $20 and is open to all.
Reservations are required to attend, call 954-382-6110 or visit www.aipac.org/FLSummit.
