Editor's Letter
TO EACH
Victor's AIPAC Imprint
SPONSOR,
VOLUNTEER,
U
ppermost on the white-hot agenda of American
Jewry's most powerful pro-Israel congressional lobby
are the Iranian nuclear threat, the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict and U.S. foreign aid. So it matters who becomes presi-
dent of the United States. And it matters who sits on both sides
of the congressional aisle.
So says David Victor of Bloomfield
Hills, the new national president of
the American Israel Public Affairs
Committee. He addressed the agenda
priorities in his keynote address during
the lobbying powerhouse's policy con-
ference in Washington, D.C., June 2-4.
Addressing 7,500 delegates, includ-
ing 1,200 students from 350 campuses,
Victor said America will choose a new
president against the backdrop of the
three priorities. He said decisions ema-
nating from these priorities "will shape our country's future,
Israel's future and indeed, the world's:'
Michigan was represented by 350 delegates.
Victor's two-year presidency comes at a crossroads. Last sum-
mer, AIPAC agreed in principle to continue funding the defense
of two former staffers facing trial for dealing in classified infor-
mation, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Zionist Pedigree
Victor, 49, is someone the
Detroit Jewish community
can be richly proud of. That
was quickly evident when he
described his AIPAC commit-
ment as a shared effort with his
wife, Kelly. They have four kids.
His demeanor, tenacity and
affability should propel Victor to
new heights as Jewish America's
lead lobbyist in the halls of
David Victor
Congress.
And his capacity is unlimited.
"With the lessons learned from my parents, Kelly and I
decided now was the time for us, and for our generation, to
stand up, speak up and lead;' Victor said in his June 2 speech.
That's inspiring stuff.
Victor, former vice president of the Jewish Community
Relations Council of Metropolitan Detroit, is the second AIPAC
president from Michigan. He follows in the indelible footsteps
of his mentor and friend, Ed Levy Jr. of Birmingham. Levy
headed AIPAC with great distinction from 1984 to 1986.
Victor cut his Zionist spurs under the tutelage of his father,
Steve, who enlisted in the Army in 1944 at age 17 to help
America fight Nazi Germany. David recalls his father saying, "I
am a Jew and they were killing Jews:' By the end of World War
II, Steve understood the need for a homeland for the Jewish
people.
Just after the Six-Day War in 1967, Steve and his wife, Arlene,
of blessed memory, stood on the tarmac at Israel's Ben-Gurion
Airport and watched as Algerian and Moroccan Jewish refugees
arrived in their new home.
"The sight of young, proud Israeli soldiers carrying elderly
Jews off the planes made a deep impression, illustrating, in very
real terms, the meaning of refuge — the meaning of a Jewish
state David Victor said.
Iranian intrigue
I applaud the AIPAC priorities that Victor outlined against the
backdrop of Israel's 60th anniversary as the Jewish state.
The Iran conundrum certainly can't be discounted. While
there's debate over when Iran will acquire weapons of mass
destruction, there's no question they will come. The combina-
tion of a fundamentalist regime and a sophisticated ability to
use such weapons is daunting.
Like Victor argues, time is short for the U.S. to deepen the
bite of economic and diplomatic sanctions. "In the next two
years," he said, "this story will conclude with one of two end-
ings. Either we and our allies stop Iran from pursuing nuclear
weapons capability or Iran will reach a point of no reture
That will raise the global stakes for all — the terror mongers
and the civilized world. I haven't forgotten what Barukh Binah,
Israel's Chicago-based consul general to the Midwest, told the
Jewish Community Relations Council of Metropolitan Detroit
on April 3. The gist of his message was that Iran is a proud
world power with a strong culture and civilization. It doesn't
want to be a pariah state. It wants to be part of the international
community. So there's hope that it will see the blunder of its
warring ways.
Border Travails
As for Israeli-Palestinian
peace, I'll concede there
may now be a window
of opportunity for prog-
ress, although I believe
that window is open just
a crack. I disagree with
Victor's contention that
Mahmoud Abbas, the so-
called moderate prime
minister of the Palestinian
Authority, is a potential
difference maker. While he
talks a good game in English conversations with Western lead-
ers, Abbas clings to his anti-Zionist roots in Arabic exhortations
targeting the Palestinian people who live in the P.A.-controlled
West Bank. What's more, his influence is neutralized by Hamas,
the rocket-happy terrorist organization ruling the Gaza Strip.
I give Victor credit for challenging the Arab states that want
to exploit the perceived opportunity to negotiate peace with
Israel. He urged them to stand with Abbas. I'll be more direct:
They must convince Abbas to shed his chameleon-like image
that changes with his audience. Abbas also must authorize
the supportive muscle to repel Hamas. Neither task is small.
A Palestinian state is only feasible if it includes both the West
Bank and Gaza; thus, statehood is impossible as long as Hamas
controls beleaguered Gaza.
His demeanor,
tenacity and
affability should
propel Victor to new
heights as Jewish
America's lead
lobbyist in the halls
of Congress.
On the Horizon
Moving on, Victor lauded the start of a 10-year agreement
between the U.S. and Israel. The agreement seeks to assure that
Israel maintains a definitive military edge in the embattled
AND GUEST:
THANKS
TO YOU,
SPRING
ELATION
SAFARI WAS
A ROARING
SUCCESS!
YOUR
SUPPORT
NI<
WILL IMPACT
0 HUNDREDS
:OF CHILDREN
WITH
DISABILITIES
AND THEIR
FAMILIES.
THANK YOU!
jarc
www.ja rc.org
248.538.6611
Victor's Imprint on page A6
June 5 • 2008
A5