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Bigwig Candidates Make Case for Israel at AIPAC Conference

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WASHINGTON -- The annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee Conference drew nearly 20,000 people to Washington, D.C., and this year's speakers are making big headlines.

The pro-Israel conference always attracts a bi-partisan "Tier A" list of political bigwigs looking to show their solidarity with Israel. Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is one of them.

"Palestinian leaders need to stop inciting violence, stop celebrating terrorists as martyrs and stop paying rewards to their families," she said.

While Clinton attended AIPAC, her rival Bernie Sanders did not, citing schedule conflicts. He did, however, manage to weigh in on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Speaking at an event in Utah, he made it clear he was in favor of a two-state solution.

"We are obligated to speak the truth as we see it, and that is what real friendship demands, especially in difficult times," the Huffington Post quoted Sanders. "It is important among friends to be honest and truthful about differences we may have."

The real big event, however, was three Republicans who appeared on the AIPAC stage, specifically Donald Trump who had some work to do in front of a pro-Israeli audience.

The business mogul has been under criticism for saying as president he wants to be seen as "neutral" when trying to negotiate a potential peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.

His main challenger, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, tried to hit him on that point.

"Let me be very, very clear. As president, I will not be neutral," the Texas senator said. "America will stand unapologetically with the nation of Israel."

But Trump's remarks were anything but neutral. In a crucial speech where he read off a teleprompter for the first time, Trump delivered an over-the-top pro-Israel address.

"I speak to you today as a lifelong supporter and true friend of Israel," Trump said. "The Palestinians must come to the table, knowing that the bond between the United States and Israel is absolutely and totally unbreakable."

"And they must come to the table willing to accept that Israel is a Jewish State and it will forever exist as a Jewish State," he added.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who's a distant third in this presidential race, didn't go after Trump. Instead he played the leadership card.

"As the candidate in this race with the deepest and most far-reaching foreign policy and national security experience, I won't need on the job training," he said.

Beyond presidential politics, the conference's main goal is to get participants active on issues that matter to Israel. Among the key concerns is the growing anti-Israel BDS Movement - which stands for boycott, divestment and sanctions.

The movement is trying to isolate Israel economically from other countries in various ways because of their "so-called" occupation of Palestinian land.

CBN was on hand at the conference, trying to do their part to help, with CEO Gordon Robertson presenting CBN's new documentary called, "The Hope: The Rebirth of Israel."

The film explains what happened in the 50 years leading up to the founding of the modern state of Israel. The purpose of the documentary is significant.

"The more I got into it, the more I decided that the world needed to see this and be educated, particularly in light of what is currently going on with the BDS Movement to try and boycott Israel," Robertson explained.

"The more people are educated on how Israel actually came to be, what are the historical facts the better able they are to argue against BDS," he said.

There's no doubt Israel needs America's support, especially after a tense relationship with the Obama administration. So now, these tens of thousands pro-Israel supporters in Washington are looking for a new president who will stand stronger with the Jewish state than ever before.

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About The Author

David
Brody

David Brody is a thirty-four-year veteran of the television industry and currently serves as Chief Political Analyst for CBN News. He’s interviewed many prominent national figures across the political spectrum during his time at the Christian Broadcasting Network, including former President Donald Trump. During Trump’s administration, David interviewed him at the White House, aboard Air Force One, and at Mar-a-Lago. He’s also interviewed former Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo three times each. In addition, David has provided on-air political analysis for CNN