WASHINGTON - The Brandeis Israel Political Affairs Committee (BIPAC) bumped into Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor while sightseeing yesterday on the streets here, but O'Connor wasn't one of the many government officials students had hoped to see.
BIPAC came to lobby senators and congressmen in support of Israel, but because there was no business yesterday that required a vote, no members of Congress were to be found. Instead, the most influential figure they saw was O'Connor, who briskly passed by them.
Monday's lobbying trip to Washington was the first for BIPAC, which had tried several times before to organize such a trip but never accomplished the feat. Despite the absence of legislators from Capitol Hill, BIPAC was not to be deterred.
Forty-one students from 17 states boarded the late-night bus for the capital on Sunday, and after a long ride and some advice from BIPAC President Jacob Baime '08, the group was ready to lobby all day Monday.
"[Our goal was to] strengthen the already strong relationship between the United States and Israel," Charlie Gandelman '09 said. "The American people are very understanding and it's important to continue lobbying for the strength of Israel."
BIPAC members met with a legislative assistant to Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., and an assistant to Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y. Students argued that Israel should be supported because it is a strong democratic ally in the Middle East, that the terrorist organization Hamas should not be allowed to participate in Israeli elections and that Israel's disengagement from the Gaza Strip and from four West Bank settlements shows that Israel is serious about making peace.
"The representatives we met were already pro-Israel, so we didn't have to do any convincing, but it was very good practice because in the future you may have to convince people," Gandelman said.
BIPAC members said they feel optimistic about the meetings because the assistants can have almost as much sway as the congressmen themselves in policy matters.
"The meeting went very well, the legislative assistants were all very supportive," BIPAC press coordinator Dmitry Vilner '08 said.
BIPAC also met with Jeff Berkowitz, the Jewish liaison to the White House as well as Ari Stein '05, an aide on Capitol Hill who spoke about his experiences in Washington.
Some who went on the trip were disappointed with the results. Joe Herzfeld '09 said he went because he expected to meet Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.
"It was interesting, but I don't think the Congress-people are going to be swayed collectively by a bunch of teenagers," Herzfeld said. "I don't know if we're going to sway anyone."
Despite those sentiments, Baime said he believes that the BIPAC trip was worth it.
"The [political] activities currently on campus are important and those political groups are necessary to bring awareness," Baime said. "But you need BIPAC because the votes are made in Congress."
Justin Sulsky reported from Washington.