The annual Israeli-American Council conference came to a close in Washington on Monday. During the three-day conference, much of the discussion focused on the ongoing wave of Palestinian terrorism sweeping over Israel, as well as the global battle against the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement. Congressmen Ed Royce (R-California) and Eliot Engel (D-New York) took part in a panel discussion at the conference on Monday. Royce, the Republican chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, criticized Secretary of State John Kerry for his recent statement blaming blamed the current wave of Palestinian terrorism on Israeli construction in Judea and Samaria. "I did not expect to hear what I heard from the secretary of state," Royce said. He said Kerry should have issued a severe condemnation of Palestinian terrorism and demanded that the Palestinian Authority halt incitement. Royce also said the U.S. must speak out against terrorism in a "clear voice." "That is what we do in Congress, where all of us, both Democrats and Republicans, support Israel," Royce said. Engel, the top-ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, echoed Royce's sentiments, saying he was "sick and tired of this moral equivalency" that places victims of terrorism and perpetrators of terrorism on the same level. Engel said the Palestinians would never achieve statehood via terrorism. "If the Palestinians want a 'day of rage,' they should look in the mirror," Engel said. Engel also highlighted the bipartisan support for Israel in Congress, calling Israel "the best friend America has." Both Royce and Engel criticized the nuclear deal world powers reached with Iran in July. Royce said recent actions by Iran showed that it has no intention of abiding by the terms of the deal. And Engel called Iran the world's "No. 1 sponsor of terrorism." Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson are the largest contributors to the IAC and have been instrumental in increasing the IAC's activities in the U.S. in recent years. Speaking at the conference on Monday, Sheldon Adelson said, "I've learned that once you are a Jew, that you come from a lineage of Jews, you always remain a Jew." In his talk, Adelson highlighted the vital importance of defending Israel. Adelson said the purpose of the IAC was to promote Jewish unity. "We are a big family," he said. "We must take care of each other. If we don't, no one else will." Over the years, the Adelsons have been major financial backers of the Taglit-Birthright Israel program. On Monday, Sheldon Adelson spoke about the differences between young American and Israeli Jews. "[Young Israelis] understand the meaning of the idea of the Jewish homeland," he said. "Life in Israel is totally different." Adelson said that one of the biggest benefits of Taglit-Birthright Israel program is the interaction it fosters between young American and Israeli Jews.
