AIPAC conference opens with praise for Trump making good on promises to Israel

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) opened its conference by thanking President Trump for recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, a longtime goal for the committee.

On Sunday, AIPAC president Mort Fridman triggered extended applause when he thanked Trump, The Jerusalem Post reported.

On the first day of the three-day annual conference held in Washington, D.C., Fridman made an appeal for progressives — who have been more critical of Israeli policies — to not abandon their support for Israel.

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“The progressive narrative for Israel is just as compelling and critical as the conservative one,” Fridman said. “There are very real forces trying to pull you out of this hall and out of this movement and we cannot let that happen — we will not let that happen!”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is mired in bribery scandals at home, will meet with Trump on Monday and address the AIPAC conference on Tuesday.

Netanyahu also plans to meet with Senate leaders Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday, Haaretz reported.