"The Israeli health ministry’s new guideline does not specifically name the AIPAC conference as triggering the new policy, though it has circulated among AIPAC attendees, on whom its meaning is not lost. Members of Congress, making the connection between the confirmed cases in New York and the conference goers, have pressed AIPAC for more information, but the organization had said little until Wednesday afternoon."FROM:
THE INTERCEPT
Ryan Grim
March 4 2020, 5:54 p.m.
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WASHINGTON — The American Israel Public Affairs Committee told conference attendees, some of whom include lawmakers, that at least two conference-goers have tested positive for coronavirus.
The pro-Israel lobbying group said in an updated statement to attendees, speakers, administration and Capitol Hill offices on Friday that the two individuals affected traveled from New York to Washington, D.C. to attend the March 1-3 conference.
"We have continued to remain in constant communication with the Westchester County Health Department and the DC Health Department which is coordinating with the New York Health Department, and national health authorities," the AIPAC statement reads.
Attendees and speakers at the conference included Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., former 2020 Democratic candidate Mike Bloomberg, former candidate Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., and several other lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle.
The group's website says that more than about 18,000 people attend its conference from across the country, and that two-thirds of Congress participate.
AIPAC had previously alerted conference participants on Wednesday that a group of conference-goers may have had contact with a coronavirus patient before traveling to D.C. for the event, and that they would be under self-quarantine.
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Jeanine Santucci
USA TODAY
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