WASHINGTON (JTA) — AIPAC leaders urged activists to behave with civility toward speakers at the annual policy conference.
A "commercial" during the first session of the conference on Sunday showed footage of children misbehaving with Hillary Clinton, the U.S. secretary of state, addressing an earlier conference and pleaded: "Be cordial and welcoming to all our speakers."
Tensions have flared over the last two weeks between the administrations of President Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel announced a new building project in eastern Jerusalem during a visit by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden aimed at underscoring close U.S.-Israel ties.
Clinton reprimanded Netanyahu in a 45-minute call and demanded concessions to the Palestinians to restore good will; she said the announcement was an "insult" to the United States.
Clinton is speaking Monday morning and it is clear that conference organizers want activists to abjure disruptions. "We always conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of this cause," David Victor, the chairman of AIPAC’s board, said in remarks prepared for delivery Sunday evening.
