When Sheldon and Dr. Miriam Adelson infused the IAC with a $10 million grant in late 2013, the organization began aggressively expanding to major cities with clusters of Israelis, including Las Vegas, Miami, New York, and Boston.
The IAC inaugural conference culminated on Sunday morning with philanthropists Haim Saban, Sheldon Adelson, and IAC Chairman Shawn Evenhaim sharing the stage.
Adelson gave a thorough history lesson on the land of Israel and said, “We aren’t dealing with a real estate issue, we’re not dealing with a grievance, we’re dealing with a religion [Islam] that doesn’t like anybody who isn’t like what they are.” He insisted a two-state solution would be unworkable unless the other side were demilitarized.
Reflecting on the recent snag in the U.S.-Israel relations, Adelson said: “My wife and I are together 26 years. We have never had one serious argument. How many [couples] have [gone through] their lives without having arguments? I would say very few. Fortunately, Miri and I are one of the very few. The relationship between Israel and the United States is like a marriage; there are times there are arguments and you disagree on things, and it’s okay, it doesn’t mean you don’t love each other anymore. The most important thing is that we share the same values…. They see that, we see that, the long-term relationship is what counts, not the short-term ups and downs.”
Asked whether the IAC is a Republican organization that will follow his political leanings, Adelson said the organization is bipartisan. “Between Haim [Saban, a leading supporter of Democrats] and myself, it’s very clear we have a big difference of opinion politically. I think everyone in this room, Republican or Democrat…when it comes to Israel we are on the same side.”
“Ditto,” replied Saban. “If you want, I can repeat everything Sheldon just said.”