With just months until Democrats and Republicans decide on who their presidential nominee will be, each candidate is vying for as many votes as possible. One of those voting blocs is the all-important Jewish vote, as most candidates speak during the annual policy conference for American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
Clinton at AIPAC
With the exception of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, citing campaign commitments, the remaining candidates are set to speak at the conference this week, in addition to other high-profiled American political figures.
As CNNpointed out on March 21, some speakers made it clear who they were opposing in the 2016 election and who didn't have Israel's best interest at heart.
Hillary Clinton knocks Donald Trump at #AIPAC2016 and says "we need steady hands" https://t.co/XnoBcFWdZd https://t.co/xFVhYX5LEL
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) March 21, 2016
Former Secretary of State and leading Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton didn't mention Republican front runner Donald Trump by name, but made her point known. "We've had dark chapters of our history before. We remember the nearly 1000 Jews aboard the St Louis who were refused entry in 1939," Clinton told those in attendance, saying a politician shouldn't be "playing coy with white supremacists."
Clinton continued, suggesting "If you see bigotry, oppose it.
If you see violence, condemn it. If you see a bully, stand up to him." Going further, Clinton encourages support for Israel, saying, "Don't let anyone bully you or shut down debate."
Biden at AIPAC
Vice President Joe Biden also spoke at AIPAC, and like Clinton, he didn't hold back his opinion of the GOP front runner's policies.
Channeling similar language used by Pope Francis earlier this year, Biden encouraged the need for more "bridge-building," and less "wall-building," in reference to Trump's major policy position on illegal immigration and his push for a border wall between the United States and Mexico.
Trump is scheduled to address AIPAC on Monday, but his appearance has caused outrage among some of the attendees.
Rabbis David Paskin and Jesse Olitzky have led a coalition of rabbis known as the "Come Together Against Hate" campaign. Various Jewish leaders and rabbis are planning a massive walkout during Trump's speech, noting in a recently released statement that they oppose the billionaire real estate mogul's "bigotry, racism, xenophobia, and misogyny."
