The AIPAC Policy Conference is an annual pro-Israel gathering that attracted over 18,000 community participants at the Washington Convention Center this past weekend. President Paul Kagame is the first African state leader to have addressed this gathering which took place on March 27th 2017.

Drawing similarities between the Rwanda and Israel, President Kagame said that Rwanda and Israel were proof that no tragedy was too great to get past:

“Rwanda is without question a friend of Israel. No tragedy is very great or so vast that human ingenuity and resilience cannot give rise to a better future. The survival and renewal of our two nations, testifies to this truth,”

In his remarks, President Kagame reiterated Rwanda’s solidarity with Israel and called for a renewed strength in tackling genocide denial. President Kagame also commended Israel for their newly strengthened engagement for Africa, and that for Rwanda, Israel is a model nation for country building in the wake of great destruction.

“We think that there are lessons to be learnt that if people are determined, focused and it’s about their survival, there are not going to be limits of how far they can go to develop themselves.”

At this conference, President Kagame spoke on behalf of Rwanda as he reiterated that Rwanda is a friend of Israel; that despite the eminent threats on Israel, the country has a right to exist and thrive as a full member of the international community.

Pictures from the event can be found at the link below.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulkagame/albums/72157678459219024