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Trump to speak at AIPAC conference

by Jesse Byrnes - 03/11/16 2:01 PM ET

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will address a major pro-Israel conference later this month.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) announced Friday afternoon that the outspoken businessman will speak at its conference March 20-22.

{mosads}Other speakers at the event will include Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton and Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Benjamin Netanyahu, who’s had tension with the current White House, will appear at the conference via satellite.

Several other lawmakers will speak, including Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (Md.).

Trump has come under fire recently from rivals Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio for his insistence on staying neutral on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Asked whether he would remain neutral even after an American West Point graduate was murdered in a terrorist attack in Israel, Trump said he had to remain neutral to broker a peace deal.

“I will tell you, I think if we’re ever going to negotiate a peace settlement … I think it would be more helpful is as a negotiator, if I go in and say I’m pro-Israel, but at least have the other side know I’m somewhat neutral to them so that we can maybe get a deal done,” Trump said.