Campuses Continue to Host Pro-Israel Members of Congress
Pro-Israel campus activists continue to host members of Congress for public lectures and private discussions on the U.S.-Israel relationship and the threat of Iran to America. Among the schools which have already done so are Rutgers University, Indiana University, Colorado Christian University, California State University - Fullerton, Tufts University, Boston University, Vanderbilt University, Oklahoma University and University of Pittsburgh. Since April, AIPAC-trained activists at the following colleges and universities have also brought members of Congress to campus.
Pro-Israel students at Johns Hopkins University invited Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) to their campus to speak about the U.S.-Israel relationship at a student leadership dinner. The Senator discussed the fact that the U.S.-Israel relationship is the only issue on which both Republicans and Democrats can agree, explaining that the United States’ support for Israel is both rare and necessary in the world. He also spoke about the importance of foreign aid, noting that, far from what many believe, it constitutes a mere 1% of the annual budget. He went on to discuss the danger of Iran to America, describing that country as the greatest threat the world faces at this moment. AIPAC-trained students at the event noted the Senator’s vocal support for the U.S.-Israel relationship, and secured a number of signatures from mainstream student leaders for a campus leadership statement in support of that relationship.
AIPAC-trained activists at the University of Florida hosted Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL) at a campus leadership reception for over 40 assembled student leaders. Both the incoming Student Government President and current Student Senate President were in attendance, along with leaders of the College Democrats, College Republicans, Black Student Union and Hispanic Student Union. The Congressman delivered an impassioned address which covered topics including the dire threat of Iran to America, the Judeo-Christian values which underlie the strength of the U.S.-Israel alliance and his own personal experience of Hamas launching rockets at Israel while on a visit to the country. Stearns finished his remarks with an injunction to action, challenging pro-Israel students at the University of Florida to dramatically broaden the base of support for the U.S.-Israel relationship on their campus. As a thank you, AIPAC-trained activists presented the Congressman with a framed copy of a resolution in support of the U.S.-Israel alliance which they helped pass through their Student Government Association by a vote of 66-1. Earlier in the year, Stearns submitted that resolution into the Congressional Record.
Last month at Northwestern University, AIPAC-trained activists hosted Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Rep. Bob Dold (R-IL) on consecutive days for separate gatherings with pro-Israel students, student leaders, and members of the College Democrats and College Republicans. Rep. Schakowsky visited the school for an informal Tuesday evening gathering with College Democrats, AIPAC-trained students, and other campus influentials. She spoke about the importance of the alliance between the United States and Israel, the threat posed by Iran, and the students’ involvement in the political process. On Wednesday, Rep. Dold came to campus and, in reference to the U.S.-Israel alliance, said “It’s not an issue of right versus left, but an issue of right versus wrong.” At an event organized jointly by pro-Israel students and the College Republicans, Dold fielded many questions about Israel, the Middle East and the nature of Iran’s nuclear program. Throughout the talk, the Congressman made the case that it is in America’s interests to support Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East.
Student leaders and faculty gathered at Lehigh University to hear from local member of Congress and university alumnus, Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA), about the U.S.-Israel relationship. AIPAC-trained activists at Muhlenberg College, which is in the same congressional district as Lehigh, brought a delegation of pro-Israel students to the event. In the course of his remarks, Rep. Dent said, “The relationship between the United States and Israel is based upon shared values and common interests, … they share a strong military, cultural and intelligence relationship.”
Pro-Israel students at Utah Valley University hosted Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) on campus for an exclusive gathering with a small number of the most important student leaders on their campus, including the president of the Student Government Association. The Congressman spoke passionately to this group about his support for the U.S.-Israel alliance, and then went on to address a foreign relations class about the many issues affecting the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO) traveled to the Washington University in St. Louis for a speech on the Middle-East and issues affecting the U.S.-Israel relationship. About 75 students attended his speech, approximately half of them mainstream campus leaders including: the Student Body President, the President of College Democrats, and many others. Following his public remarks, Rep. Carnahan met for a private networking reception with the student leaders organized by pro-Israel students. Those student leaders now look forward to strengthening their relationships with the wider pro-Israel community.
Before the end of the academic year, many other schools across the nation are set to bring a member of Congress to campus, including: University of Illinois, and the University of California - Los Angeles.