Chicagoans Against Apartheid in Palestine (CAAP) is issuing a public call to action against the AIPAC National Summit which will take place in Chicago on October 26-27. The AIPAC National Summit is reserved exclusively for those who contribute a minimum of $3,600 annually to AIPAC. We will rally at the State of Illinois Building and then march to Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers (301 E. N. Water Street) where the AIPAC National Summit will be taking place.

AIPAC, or the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, describes itself as the most important organization affecting the U.S. relationship with Israel. With a budget of $65 million, and membership now standing at over 100,000, it is no wonder that congressional staffers consider it one of the most powerful and effective lobbies on Capitol Hill.

Once a year, AIPAC holds its annual conference in Washington DC. Its annual policy conference is one of Washington’s largest gatherings of lawmakers, topped only by the President’s State of the Union address.

Only rarely is a critical word uttered among politicians regarding AIPAC and its associates that support unjust and aggressive (and disastrous) U.S. policies toward the peoples of the Middle East. We aim to change that.

For too long, policies that support Israeli militarism and apartheid have gone unchallenged. Political voices raising even minor disagreements with prevailing policies are silenced or subject to campaigns of intimidation. We must open the door to full debate regarding U.S. relationship with Israel and U.S. policy with other countries in the region.

AIPAC and related institutions (usually collectively known as the "Israel Lobby") support a dangerous status quo, including AIPAC's support for U.S. military aid to Israel, which amounts to over $3 billion per year. We will examine its support for even the worst of Israeli policies, and its support for further U.S. military action in IRAN.

Contact CAAP for more information at: caap_mail@yahoo.com

CAAP needs to raise $1,000.00 to meet our budget for this major undertaking. If you can make a contribution, please donate now.

If you are traveling to Chicago from outside of the Chicago area to join us in standing up to AIPAC we will do our best to try to find you housing.

Supporting organizations: Students for Justice in Palestine-UIC, International Solidarity Movement-Chicago; Palestine Solidarity Group-Chicago, Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee - Chicago Chapter, Jewish Voice for Peace-Chicago, Stop AIPAC.org, Chicago Coalition Against War and Racism, Gay Liberation Network, Potluck Democracy, Code Pink, Neighbors for Peace, DeKalb Interfaith Network for Peace and Justice, North Shore Coalition for Peace and Justice, Oak Park Coalition for Truth and Justice, Progressive Democrats of Illinois, End the Occupation (Naperville, Illinois)