WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)– Philanthropists and political power players Sheldon Adelson and Haim Saban shared a stage for the first time Sunday, Nov. 9, to culminate the Israeli-American Council (IAC)’s First National Conference, debating a wide range of political issues but agreeing on the need for the U.S. to toughen its stance on a nuclear Iran.
Adelson, a key Republican funder, and Saban, a top Democratic funder, are both major supporters of the IAC, and agreed the Israeli-American community can play a critical role in uniting around strengthening Israel, the U.S.-Israel relationship and the Jewish future.
Speaking about ongoing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear development, Saban said the United States should explore “all options” including tougher economic sanctions and do more to make Iran understand “we mean business” if they don’t agree to a nuclear pact. “Take military action, but only after all options have been exhausted. A stick and a carrot yes — but we’ve shown too many carrots and a small stick.”
Adleson added that negotiations can only accomplish so much before military action becomes necessary. “I wouldn’t just talk, I would take action,” he said. “Not taking action is too costly.”
Saban and Adelson’s rare public forum reflected IAC’s efforts to unite the Israeli-American and Jewish community around its mission of strengthening Israel, the American-Jewish community, and next generation and the U.S.-Israel relationship.
“Everyone in this room — whether you’re a Republican, a Democrat or Independent … when it comes to Israel, we’re on the same side,” Adelson said.
The Israeli-American Council (IAC)’s first-ever national conference gathered the emerging community of Israeli-Americans together for the first time, bringing more than 700 people to a sold-out, star-studded three-day conference Nov. 7-9 at the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. The Israeli-American community is estimated at over 600,000.
Former presidential candidate Gov. Mitt Romney and former vice presidential candidate Joe Lieberman helped open the sold-out conference Friday night, making their formal remarks to the Jewish and Israeli-American communities since the 2012 presidential elections.
Taking place at the Washington Hilton, the IAC National Conference hosted such other global figures as Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC); Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL); Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer; Israel’s Representative to the UN Ron Prosor; Israel’s Minister of Communications and Homefront Protection, Gilad Erdan; Israel’s former UN Ambassador Dan Gillerman; Israeli National Security Council member and terrorism expert Dr. Anat Berko; actress and advocate Noa Tishby; high-tech entrepreneur Yossi Vardi.
Graham, speaking Saturday night, also issued a call for a tougher stance on a nuclear Iran, calling the issue “the most significant event in modern history.” Graham, a member of the pivotal Senate Appropriations Committee, also threatened to pass legislation cutting off federal funding of the United Nations unless it stops allowing anti-Israel resolutions. The UN “better get its act together. If you keep this Israeli bashing up, and if the UN turns into the most anti-Semitic force on the planet, we’re going to cut your money off, he said.
Many of the conference speakers also underscored how the growing IAC can make a major impact on critical issues. Deutch, also speaking Saturday night, said of the IAC: “This is a group that can make an incredible difference for the future of Israel and future of the United States.”
The preeminent Israeli-American organization in the U.S., the IAC is headquartered in Los Angeles and expanding nationwide, with offices in Boston, New York, New Jersey, Miami and Las Vegas. The IAC mission is to build an engaged and united Israeli-American community that strengthens our next generations, the American Jewish community and the State of Israel.
“As Americans and Israelis, we see it as our duty and obligation to strengthen the relationship between Israel and the United States,” said IAC National Chairman Shawn Evenhaim. “This conference marks the first time that leaders and professionals from the Israeli-American and Jewish communities from across the country are coming together to explore how to build a united and engaged community.”
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Preceding provided by the Israeli American Council