Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL), the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, pledged his support for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship during the closing session of AIPAC’s 2008 Policy Conference. "We know that we cannot relent, we cannot yield, and as president I will never compromise when it comes to Israel's security," Sen. Obama declared. Click here to watch Policy Conference speeches, see video highlights and read full transcripts from Policy Conference 2008.

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, was the opening speaker for AIPAC Policy Conference 2008 in Washington, D.C., where he addressed more than 6,500 pro-Israel activists from all 50 states. Sen. McCain said that Iran must be stopped from acquiring nuclear weapons and reaffirmed his support for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. “My friends, as the people of Israel know better than most, the safety of free people can never be taken for granted,” McCain said. “And in a world full of dangers, Israel and the United States must always stand together.”  Click here to watch a video of Senator McCain's speech and read the transcript of his remarks.

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) affirmed her support for a strong U.S. Israel relationship during the closing session of AIPAC's 2008 Policy Conference, noting that support "for a strong American-Israeli relationship is essential to our interests." Underscoring the danger posed by Iran, Sen. Clinton emphasized that the United States "can never let Iran obtain nuclear weapons...This is not just in Israel’s interest; it is in America’s interest and the world’s interest." Following the plenary session, more than 5,000 Policy Conference delegates took to Capitol Hill for some 500 Congressional lobbying appointments. Click here to watch the speeches, see video highlights and read transcripts from Policy Conference 2008.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Tuesday morning addressed more than 6,500 pro-Israel activists at AIPAC's 2008 Policy Conference. America's top diplomat praised AIPAC for the work it does to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship: "It’s always a pleasure to be among friends here at AIPAC, to have a chance to thank you – all of the members of this organization – for strengthening one of the most vital relationships that our nation has – our alliance with the state of Israel."

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) also spoke to AIPAC delegates on Tuesday morning. "While fanatical states like Iran may still exist," McConnell said, "past success gives us reason to hope for a day when all Arab states will realize that Israel isn’t going anywhere, that anti-Israeli rhetoric will not solve its domestic problems, and that making peace with the Jewish state is in the best interests of its own people."   Click here to watch video highlights of Policy Conference speeches.

A top-flight panel of four Middle East experts shared their thoughts on the many challenges that the United States and Israel face in the region. Ambassador Dennis Ross discussed the intricacies of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, while Elizabeth Cheney, former deputy secretary of state for Near East Affairs, shared insight from her time as a senior policymaker. Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, highlighted the challenges the next U.S. presidential administration will face in the years ahead. And finally, former Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh emphasized the growing danger of Iran’s efforts to enrich uranium – a key step toward developing nuclear weapons. Moderating the discussion was Dan Senor, adjunct senior fellow for Middle East Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Click here to listen to the panel discussion.

A fascinating panel of leading Jewish intellectuals addressed AIPAC Policy Conference delegates on the changing face of Zionism and the evolution of Israel’s place in the world. The panelists were human rights activist Natan Sharansky, Hebrew University law professor Ruth Gavison, Middle East historian Michael Oren and literary critic Leon Wieseltier. The panelists discussed how Zionism has changed since Theodore Herzl wrote his treatise The Jewish State, and they shared their thoughts on the relationship between Israel and Diaspora Jewry. Moderating the discussion was David Horovitz, editor-in-chief of The Jerusalem Post.

More than 7,000 activists, students and scholars from all 50 states traveled to the nation's capital on June 2-4 for AIPAC's 2008 Policy Conference, the pro-Israel community's premier annual event. The conference—AIPAC's largest ever—featured addresses from top U.S. policymakers, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, (D-CA), Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate. Both the Democratic and Republican presumptive nominees for president—Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)—spoke to the record crowd, as did Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY). Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert addressed the Gala Banquet, which was attended by nearly half of Congress. Over three jam-packed days, Policy Conference participants chose from hundreds of informative sessions, before heading to Capitol Hill to lobby in support of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship.