AIPAC cancels 2021 policy conference due to COVID-19

The American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) announced Sunday that concerns brought on by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic had forced the organization to cancel plans for its annual policy conference next March.

In an emailed statement to supporters obtained by The Hill, AIPAC president Betsy Berns Korn wrote that there was no “predictable avenue” for safely holding an in-person conference with thousands of attendees.

“On behalf of the AIPAC Board of Directors, I’m writing to let you know that given the continued uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and without a predictable avenue to safely bring together thousands of pro-Israel Americans, we have been forced to cancel the 2021 AIPAC Policy Conference,” Korn wrote.

“While we will sorely miss seeing our AIPAC family in Washington and connecting in person as a pro-Israel community, what truly binds us together is our shared commitment to ensuring the safety and security of America and Israel. AIPAC will continue to find new and creative ways over the coming year for us to connect online and in person to advance the U.S.-Israel relationship,” she continued.

Jewish Insider first reported the news.

The group’s conference this past March was marred by coronavirus concerns after it was revealed that some attendees were possibly in contact with a person who later tested positive for COVID-19 in the days leading up to the conference itself. No one who attended the conference tested positive for the virus resulting from that incident.

The Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), which was hosted days later, was also affected by the pandemic as two attendees tested positive for the virus, causing some who came in contact with the individuals, including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), to voluntarily self-quarantine.