Two living legends of the Jewish people, Natan Sharansky and Elie Wiesel, opened AIPAC National Summit 2007 in Philadelphia in front of more than 1,100 attendees. Sharansky, a former Soviet dissident, shared his views on how his strong Jewish identity complements his advocacy for universal human rights. Wiesel, a Nobel Laureate, praised AIPAC activists for ensuring that the U.S.-Israel relationship remains a bipartisan issue. After their speeches, the two heroes walked off the stage to a standing ovation, kicking off a two-day program filled with top luminaries, Middle East insiders and top-flight political analysts.

Three United States Senators and more than a dozen members of Congress addressed AIPAC leaders at a congressional gala saluting the U.S.-Israel relationship. The event took place on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and offered congressional leaders the opportunity to talk about why they support a strong friendship between the two democracies. The gala was part of the two-day AIPAC National Summit, which gives AIPAC’s leading activists the chance to hone their advocacy skills and gain insight into the most pressing issues impacting the U.S.-Israel relationship.

Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, America’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, recently addressed more than 1,100 delegates at the AIPAC National Summit in Philadelphia. A native of Afghanistan, Khalilzad shared his unique perspective on the challenges presented by extremist ideologies. He emphasized the importance of empowering local moderates in a part of the world where democracy and personal liberties are often severely restricted. The ambassador also discussed Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation and the need for Iran to comply with international obligations.

In an engaging, informative – and at times even funny – breakfast plenary, four of America’s top political pundits explored the crossroads of party politics, foreign policy and the race for the White House. The bipartisan panel included CNN political commentator Paul Begala, Voting Rights Institute chair Donna Brazile, The Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol and former Republican National Committee chair Ken Mehlman. AIPAC National Political Director Rob Bassin moderated the hour-long, off-the-record conversation, which many audience members indicated was their favorite event of the entire Summit.

In a first-of-its-kind venture at the National Summit in Philadelphia, AIPAC combined top-flight technology with the foremost experts of the Middle East in order to bring participants an interactive multimedia experience. In a briefing theater, Brad Gordon, AIPAC Director of Policy and Government Affairs, explained why the United States stands with Israel and how the Jewish state is an asset for America. In separate sessions, Middle East maven David Makovsky and Jerusalem Post editor-in-chief David Horovitz took participants on a journey to the heart of the region to explore the most pressing issues. Audience members in the latter sessions each received copies of AIPAC’s new Middle East maps series.

Hailing from campuses throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, 150 student activists joined the more than 1,100 community activists at National Summit. At the Summit's congressional gala, students met with AIPAC elite and listened as three U.S. Senators and more than a dozen members of Congress saluted the U.S.-Israel relationship. The gala was just one of the many opportunities students had to sharpen their fluency on the most pressing issues impacting the U.S.-Israel relationship. “It was an honor to hear from such influential leaders,” said former AIPAC Diamond Intern Erin Spiegel. For more information, contact oncampus@aipac.org.