This was the statement made by Lillian Pinkus, president of AIPAC:
Standing before you are the lay and professional leadership of this organization.
We speak on behalf of the Board of Directors and professional staff.
From the moment this conference began, until this moment, we have preached a message of unity.
We’ve said, in every way we can think of, “Come Together.”
But last evening, something occurred which has the potential to drive us apart. To divide us.
We say unequivocally that we do not countenance ad hominem attacks, and we take great offense to those that are levied at the President of the United States of America from our stage.
While we may have policy differences, we deeply respect the office of the President of the United States and our President, Barack Obama.
We are disappointed that so many people applauded a sentiment that we neither agree with nor condone.
Let us close this conference in recognition that when we say we must “Come Together,” we still have a lot to learn from each other. And we still have much work to do—because broadening the base of the American pro-Israel movement is essential and our unity is our strength.
Let us pledge to each other that in this divisive and tension-filled political season that we will not allow those that wish to divide our movement—from the left or the right—to succeed in doing so.
Thank you.
There are many in the pro-Israel and Israeli community who believe that the Nuclear Iran Deal is opening the door to another Holocaust. But at AIPAC, “Come Together” was the priority, rather than “Never Again.”
