AIPAC cancels its 2021 policy conference

AIPAC has canceled its 2021 policy conference, scheduled for next March in Washington, D.C., due to concerns regarding future waves of the novel coronavirus, Jewish Insider has learned. 

Details: AIPAC officials confirmed the cancelation on Sunday. In an email sent to members of the organization, AIPAC President Betsy Berns Korn said that “given the continued uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and without a predictable avenue to safely bring together thousands of pro-Israel Americans, we have been forced to cancel the 2021 AIPAC Policy Conference.” 

The conference had been scheduled for March 7-9, 2021 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. “AIPAC will continue to find new and creative ways over the coming year for us to connect online and in person to advance the U.S.-Israel relationship,” the AIPAC memo read. 

Flashback: Roughly 16,000 participants attended this year’s conference, held in early March. In the days following, at least six attendees tested positive for the virus, forcing AIPAC to send a string of follow-up communications alerting participants to possible exposure.

Happening this week: AIPAC has already begun to move lobbying efforts online. In place of the group’s annual national council meeting this week, AIPAC will hold a virtual plenary session on Monday followed by a series of lobbying meetings with members of Congress and staff, which will be held on Zoom. The lobbying agenda includes maintaining security assistance to Israel, extending the Iran arms embargo and seeking support for bipartisan measures on U.S.-Israel cooperation in addressing the coronavirus.