L.A. perspectives from AIPAC

At Sunday’s opening plenary, speakers waited backstage. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told Rep. Dennis Cardoza that he was proud to be running the city when last year’s ceremony was held to install the Israeli flag at the country’s Wilshire Avenue consulate. He also remarked that the flag is one of the only to be publicly displayed. The exchange “was sweet,” said Milken Community High School senior Samson Schatz, who prepared to go onstage, too, to introduce the AIPAC board. “It was a nice sentiment.”

by Hillel Kuttler

Jon Drucker is doing his part to recruit pro-Israel activists to attend AIPAC’s policy conferences. Two years ago, the LA lawyer brought two friends. In 2008, he took wife Julie. This week, their 16-year-old son Zachary and Zachary’s friend came. “I’d like to bring more. That’s how the influence of AIPAC grows,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s the enthusiasm of the attendees that brings more attendees.”

by Hillel Kuttler, {encode=”hk@hillelthescribecommunications.com” title=”hk@hillelthescribecommunications.com”}