It is only natural for the reflection of recent experiences
from this summer, as I currently make the drive up to the hills and valleys of
Madison County, New York, where lays the most beautiful campus in America. It
will take some time to get used to the drastic differences in general political
and worldly awareness at Colgate University when compared to the Washington DC
vibe I grew accustomed to over the past 9 weeks.
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| CUFI's Night to Honor Israel |
This summer I had the great opportunity of being a Diamond
Summer Intern with the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington DC. There were dozens of other Colgate undergrads interning
in the Capitol with me, and speaking just for myself I would highly recommend
putting in the effort of getting an internship or some sort of experience
living and working in DC prior to graduation. It is truly a magical city with so
much to offer.
I personally worked on the production and implementation of
AIPAC’s 2014 Summer Seminar Series, which was a 3-part public series that
included panels of experts and analysts, as well as multiple Congressmen discussing the current
status of the Middle East and U.S.-Israel relations. While I invited my friends
to attend my events, scores of other organizations sponsored their own
political gatherings and events that served to only broaden my understanding of other issues and realms of the international arena.
POLITICO sponsored a luncheon with former Vice President
Dick Cheney where I was able to hear a Conservative perspective on domestic
political issues as well as U.S. foreign policy as a whole. The Atlantic
Council hosted Dr. Salam Fayyad, former Prime Minister of Palestinian
Authority, who spoke about the conflicting Palestinian political factions and
the need for state-building. Christians United For Israel held their annual
“Night to Honor Israel” in which thousands of Americans convened at the
Convention Center for an evening of distinguished speakers including Senator
Lindsey Graham and Ambassador Ron Dermer.
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| Salam Fayyad speaking at the Atlantic Council |
The diverse array of briefings and panels taking place each
week in our nation’s capital all circle back to one concept: the unwavering and
relentless democracy that underlies American society. Spending these past two months
eating and breathing DC enabled me to develop a renewed sense of patriotism and
pride in my country: the United States of America, the world’s premier
democracy.
A day does not go by in which you cannot find some instance
of media censorship or politically-targeted violence around the world. As I
write this, dozens of reports are coming out of Gaza chronicling the
Hamas-sanctioned executions of Palestinians who were allegedly aiding Israeli
intelligence. It is worth noting that the crisis in Iraq and Syria involving
the expanding Islamic State stemmed, at least in part, from the lack of
political representation and true democratic ideals in Iraq.
But I am reminded that multiple times this summer, I visited
dozens of Congressional offices of members of the the House of Representatives
and the Senate, lobbying and meeting with our elected members of Congress.
It is vital to not take for granted these democratic rights
and opportunities we all share in America. Forces like the Islamic State, Hamas,
and Hezbollah threaten not only our great democratic ally in Israel, but
democracies all around the globe. Countries that partner and fund these terror
groups, such as Qatar and Turkey, are clearly not catalysts for democracy, and
they should be labeled and distinguished as the anti-democracy forces that they
are.
The work of organizations like AIPAC or POLITICO or the
Atlantic Council, all are clear examples of our great democracy at work as they
seek to provide accuracy, opportunity, and clarity on issues affecting the
United States. I am proud and honored to have been able to experience a DC
summer while working for AIPAC, and I look to continue my direct involvement in
the American political arena moving forward.
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