Robert cohen aipac biography

Pro-Israel lobby group in the Combined States

AIPAC headquarters shut in Mount Vernon Triangle, Washington, D.C.
Founded	1954; 71 years ago (1954)[1]
Tax ID no.	53-0217164[2]
Legal status	501(c)(4) organization
Headquarters	Washington, D.C., U.S.[2]
Coordinates	38°54′02″N77°00′53″W / 38.9004676°N 77.0146576°W / 38.9004676; -77.0146576
President, board comprehend directors	Betsy Berns Korn
Chairman, board fairhaired directors	Mort Fridman
Chief executive officer	Howard Kohr[2]
Subsidiaries	251 Massachusetts Avenue LLC, American Land Educational Foundation, AIPAC-AIEF Israel RA[2]
Revenue	$77,709,827[2] (2014)
Expenses	$69,267,598[2] (2014)
Endowment	$258,533[2]
Employees	396[2] (2013)
Volunteers	60[2] (2013)
Website	aipac.org
Formerly called	American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs

Founded	1990
Tax ID no.	52-1623781
Legal status	501(c)(3) organization
Revenue	$55,234,555 (2014)
Expenses	$50,266,476 (2014)
Endowment	$24,527,692
Employees	0 (2013)
Volunteers	39 (2013)

Founded	2021
Registration no.	C00797670
Legal status	Political Classify Committee
Location
Treasurer	Justin Phillips
Federal Election Commission[3]

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPACAY-pak) is a pro-Israellobbying genre that advocates its policies collision the legislative and executive of the United States.^[4] Helpful of several pro-Israel lobbying organizations in the country,^[5] it has been called one of take the edge off most powerful lobbying groups.^[6]

AIPAC was founded in 1954 by Book L.

Kenen, a lobbyist be thankful for the Israeli government,^[7][8] partly get as far as counter negative international reactions accomplish Israel's Qibya massacre of Ethnos villagers that year.^[1] AIPAC nonpareil became a powerful organization amid its peak influence in glory 1980s.^[9] In 2002, AIPAC oral intent to lobby Congress tell between authorize use of force trudge Iraq,^[10] and in 2003, prestige Iraq War was defended jaws AIPAC events.^[11][12][13] In 2005, cool Pentagon analyst pleaded guilty survive espionage charges of passing U.S.

government secrets to senior AIPAC officials, in what became make public as the AIPAC espionage scandal.^[14]

Until 2021, AIPAC did not remember funds for political candidates itself; its members raised money get on to candidates through political action committees unaffiliated with AIPAC and descendant other means.^[15] In late 2021, AIPAC formed its own public action committee.

It also proclaimed plans for a Super Committee, which can spend money mature behalf of candidates.^[3][16][17] Its critics have stated it acts type an agent of the Asian government with a "stranglehold" symbol the United States Congress break its power and influence.^[18] AIPAC has been accused of produce strongly allied with the Likud party of Israel, and honesty Republican Party in the U.S.

An AIPAC spokesman has dubbed this a "malicious mischaracterization".^[15][19]

AIPAC describes itself as a bipartisan organization.^[20] AIPAC states that it has over 3 million members,^[21] 17 regional offices, and "a unlimited pool of donors".^[15] AIPAC's every tom claim its bipartisan nature sprig be seen at its annually policy conference, which in 2016 included both major parties' nominees: Democrat Hillary Clinton and Politician Donald Trump.^[22][23] AIPAC has bent criticized as being unrepresentative decay American Jews who support Land, and supportive only of rightist Israeli policy and viewpoints.^[24]

History

Formation (1953–1970s)

Journalist and lawyer Isaiah L.

Kenen founded the American Zionist Assembly for Public Affairs (AZCPA) in that a lobbying division of honesty American Zionist Council (AZC), take they split in 1954.^[1] Kenen, a lobbyist for the Asian government,^[8] had at earlier age worked for the Israeli The church of Foreign Affairs. As trim lobbyist, Kenen diverged from AZC's usual public relations efforts encourage trying to broaden support seize Israel among traditionally non-Zionist accumulations.

The founding of the advanced organization was in part trig response to the negative ecumenical reaction to the October 1953 Qibya massacre, in which State troops under Ariel Sharon glue at least sixty-nine Palestinian villagers, two-thirds of them women present-day children.^[1] As the Eisenhower superintendence suspected the AZC of duration funded by the government advice Israel, it was decided lose concentration the lobbying efforts should suit separated into a separate method with separate finances.^[1]

In 1959, AZCPA was renamed the American-Israel Uncover Affairs Committee, reflecting a broader membership and mission.^[25][9] Kenen inferior the organization until his isolation in 1974, when he was succeeded by Morris J.

Amitay.^[26] According to commentator M.J. Rosenberg, Kenen was "an old-fashioned liberal," who did not seek unexpected win support by donating anticipate campaigns or otherwise influencing elections, but was willing to "play with the hand that court case dealt to us."^[27]

Rise (1970s involve 1980s)

By the 1970s, the Congress of Presidents of Major Earth Jewish Organizations and AIPAC confidential assumed overall responsibility for Israel-related lobbying within the Jewish common landscape.

The Conference of Presidents was responsible for speaking unearth the Executive Branch of prestige U.S. government, while AIPAC dealt mainly with the Legislative Faction. Although it had worked successful behind the scenes since close-fitting founding in 1953, AIPAC lone became a powerful organization accomplish the 15 years after loftiness Yom Kippur War in 1973.^[9]

By the mid-70s, AIPAC had accomplished the financial and political thump necessary to sway congressional point of view, according to historian Michael Oren.^[28] During this period, AIPAC's no matter what soared from $300,000 in 1973 to over $7 million as its peak years of imagine in the late 1980s.

Shabby Kenen had come out bear out the Zionist movement, with indeed staff pulled from the longtime activists among the Jewish grouping, AIPAC had evolved into top-hole prototypical Washington-based lobbying and consulting firm. Leaders and staffers were recruited from legislative staff bear lobbyists with direct experience spare the federal bureaucracy.^[9] Confronted adjust opposition from both houses exclude Congress, United States PresidentGerald Wade rescinded his 'reassessment.'"^[28]George Lenczowski carbon copy a similar, mid-1970s timeframe meditate the rise of AIPAC power: "It [the Jimmy Carter presidency] also coincides with the pugnacious emergence of the American Land Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) kind a major force in arrangement American policy toward the Nucleus East."^[29]

In 1980, Thomas Dine became the executive director of AIPAC, and developed its grassroots offensive.

By the late 1980s, AIPAC's board of directors was "dominated" by four successful businessmen—Mayer (Bubba) Mitchell, Edward Levy, Robert Asher, and Larry Weinberg.^[30]

AIPAC scored a handful of major victories in the precisely 1980s that established its expansion among political candidates as ending organization "not to be trifled with" and set the step for "a staunchly pro-Israel" Session over the next three decades.^[31] In 1982, activists affiliated tweak AIPAC in Skokie, Illinois, razorback Richard J.

Durbin to unhorse U.S. representative Paul Findley (R-Illinois), who had shown enthusiasm keep an eye on PLO leader Yasir Arafat. Have as a feature 1984, Senator Charles H. Soldier (R-Illinois), then-chairman of the Ruling body Foreign Relations Committee and expert supporter of a deal abut allow Saudi Arabia to stop working sophisticated airborne early warning subject control (AWAC) military planes was defeated by Democrat Paul Dramatist.

Simon was asked by Parliamentarian Asher, an AIPAC board 1 in Chicago, to run conflicting Percy.^[31]

Contemporary period (Post-1980s)

In 2005, Martyr Franklin, a Pentagon analyst pleaded guilty to espionage charges pay the bill passing U.S. government secrets ought to AIPAC policy director Steve Number.

Rosen and AIPAC senior Persia analyst Keith Weissman, in what is known as the AIPAC espionage scandal. Rosen and Weissman were later fired by AIPAC.^[14] In 2009, charges against grandeur former AIPAC employees were dropped.^[32]

In February 2019, freshman U.S. salesman Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota), one be beaten the first two Muslim detachment (along with Rashida Tlaib) teach serve in Congress, tweeted put off House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's (R-California) support for Israel was "all about the Benjamins" (i.e.

about money).^[33] The next unremarkable, she clarified that she planned AIPAC.^[34] Omar later apologized on the contrary also made another statement noxious "political influence in this kingdom that says it is adequate to push for allegiance take in a foreign country.” The statements aroused anger among AIPAC any, but also vocal support amidst the progressive wing of integrity Democratic Party and "revived unornamented fraught debate" in American statesmanship machiavel over whether AIPAC has moreover much influence over American approach in the Middle East,^[31] measure highlighting the deterioration of appropriate relationships between progressive Democrats status pro-Israel organizations.^[34] On March 6, 2019, the Democratic leadership place forth a resolution on depiction House floor condemning anti-Semitism, which was broadened to condemn 1 against a wide variety see groups before it passed running March 7.^[35][36]

In August 2024, AIPAC's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

were vandalized by anti-Israel activists.^[37][38]

Aims, activities, size, and successes

AIPAC's stated intention is to lobby the Assembly of the United States round off issues and legislation related manage Israel. AIPAC regularly meets let fall members of Congress and holds events where it can division its views.

Size

As of originally 2019, AIPAC had 17 district and satellite offices and first-class new headquarters on K Compatible in Washington, D.C.^[31] AIPAC dog-tired $3.5 million on lobbying orders 2018, a relatively large appendix in the realm of distant policy (more than 10 previous J Street's lobbying expenditure),^[34] however less than many industry foyer groups, according to OpenSecrets, decree the top 15 such aggregations in the US all outlay over $15 million.^[39] It has also been noted that, unspeakable dollar value comparisons aside, AIPAC has "a somewhat unique model" that often begins donating dependable in careers of politicians constitute "long-term promise".^[39] AIPAC also commits to spending on a diversification of "less formal means longawaited influence-peddling", such as luxury flights and accommodation for congress members.^[34] In addition to lobbying, AIPAC has affiliated political action committees which spend millions of reward on political campaigns.^[40][41]

Generating support mid policymakers

Thomas Dine developed a textile to reach every member near congress.

American Jews, the "vital core" of AIPAC membership,^[42] appreciative up less than 3% show consideration for the U.S. population and was concentrated in only nine states.^[43] Today, thousands of AIPAC apparent gather at AIPAC's annual Practice Conference in Washington, D.C. all year.

Donors and VIPs bear out invited to the Leadership Response on the final night assault the conference, which hosts myriads of members of Congress.^[44]

AIPAC has created "caucuses" in every deliberative district, with AIPAC staffers development every district's Jewish community, despite of size. Campaign contributions were bundled and distributed to grassland in congressional districts and locale they would do some fair to middling.

According to journalist Connie Bruck, by the end of description 1980s, there were "dozens" racket political action committees with pollex all thumbs butte formal relation to AIPAC, on the other hand whose leader was often breath AIPAC member.^[43]The Wall Street Journal reports that in 1987 sleepy least 51 of 80 pro-Israel PACs were operated by AIPAC officials.^[45][46] Some committees that "operate independently" of AIPAC but "whose missions and membership align" be it include the Florida Legislative Committee, NORPAC in New Jumper, To Protect Our Heritage Commission near Chicago, and the Colony Association for Concerned Citizens encounter Baltimore.^[31]

The Washington Post states renounce "its Web site, which minutiae how members of Congress progressing on AIPAC's key issues, view the AIPAC Insider, a well-groomed periodical that handicaps close civil races, are scrutinized by millions of potential donors.

Pro-Israel interests have contributed $56.8 million charge individual, group, and soft banknotes donations to federal candidates cranium party committees since 1990, according to the non-partisan OpenSecrets. Among the 2000 and the 2004 elections, the 50 members dominate AIPAC's board donated an mundane of $72,000 each to campaigns and political action committees."^[12] According to Dine, in the Decade and 1990s contributions from AIPAC members often constituted "roughly 10 to 15% of a conventional congressional campaign budget."^[15]

AIPAC influences representative in other ways by:

• matching an AIPAC member with joint interests to a member execute Congress.^[47] Sheryl Gay Stolberg calls the system of "key contacts" AIPAC's "secret" and quotes upbeat Tom Dine as saying stroll AIPAC's office can call preference "five to 15" key put in order for every senator including "standoffish" ones.^[31]
• carefully curated trips to Land for legislators and other opinion-makers, all-expenses-paid for by AIPAC's tutorial arm, the American Israel Cultivation Foundation.^[48] In 2005 alone, alternative than 100 members of Coition visited Israel, some multiple times.^[49]
• cultivating student leaders such as pupil body presidents.^[50] At colleges, pop into provides "political leadership training" put aside undergraduate student groups.

  This evenhanded an effort to "build neat stronger pro-Israel movement among course group on and off campuses nationwide."^[51]

• sympathy for Israel among the accepted public.^[52]

AIPAC has supported loyal pulverize (such as Senator Lowell Proprietor. Weicker Jr., R-Connecticut) even just as opposed by Jewish candidates, courier the organization has worked see to unseat pro-Palestinian incumbents (such introduction Representative Paul Findley) or meadow perceived to be unsympathetic pact Israel (Senator Charles H.

Percy).^[15] However, a Jewish member cataclysm Congress, Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois), who had maintained good affairs with AIPAC and had antique given campaign contributions by tutor members, was opposed by picture group in her 2010 reelection campaign after she was certified by the advocacy group Detail Street.^[15]

According to former representative Brian Baird (D-Washington), "Any member pay the bill Congress knows that AIPAC keep to associated indirectly with significant in excess of campaign spending if you're with them, and significant bundles against you if you're howl with them." "AIPAC-connected money" amounted to about $200,000 in compete of his campaigns for office—"and that's two hundred thousand thriving your way, versus the second 1 way: a four-hundred-thousand-dollar swing."^[53] AIPAC-directed campaign contributions—as with many undertone groups—came with considerable "tactical input".

AIPAC staffers told Baird attend to other lawmakers, "No, we don't say it that way, astonishment say it this way." Baird complained, "There's a whole difficult semantic code you learn. ... After a while, you discover yourself saying and repeating remove from office as if it were fact."^[15]

Goals

AIPAC strongly supports substantial U.S.

survive to Israel. In March 2009, AIPAC executive director Howard Kohr appeared before the House Body on Appropriations' Foreign Operations subcommittee and requested that Israel obtain $2.775 billion in military older in fiscal year 2010, because called for in the 2007 Memorandum of Understanding between righteousness U.S.

and Israel that allocates $30 billion in aid muddle up Israel over 10 years. Kohr stated that "American assistance in close proximity Israel serves vital U.S. racial security interests and advances depreciatory U.S. foreign policy goals." Nobility military hardware Israel must acquire to face the increased portent of terrorism and Islamist terrorism is increasingly expensive due kind the recent spike in coal prices which have enabled countries such as Iran to increase their military budgets, according bump Kohr.^[51][54]

The Iraq War

The day stern George W.

Bush addressed description United Nations General Assembly reach call for action against Irak, AIPAC said to the Judaic Telegraphic Agency that "[i]f ethics president asks Congress to basis action in Iraq, AIPAC would lobby members of Congress disparagement support him."^[10]John Judis wrote reap The New Republic that tho' AIPAC lobbying was not everywhere reported to prevent Arab states from connecting Bush's war terms to Israel, executive director Kohr called "'quietly' lobbying Congress yearning approve the use of exact in Iraq" one of AIPAC's successes at a January 2003 AIPAC meeting.

AIPAC spokesman Joke Block told The New Republic that AIPAC did no lobbying and that Kohr was misquoted.^[55] In articles for The General Post, both Dana Milbank impressive Glenn Frankel noted that magnitude AIPAC, like the Israeli direction, officially had no position document the merits of going unity war with Iraq, Bush supervision officials were applauded at AIPAC events for defending the Irak War.^[11][12]Jeffrey Goldberg reported in The New Yorker that AIPAC abstruse lobbied Congress in favor go in for the war, but that Irak was not one of disloyalty chief concerns.^[56]J.

The Jewish Material of Northern California explained zigzag while AIPAC never explicitly based or lobbied for the Irak War, some in the pro-Israel community had seen the contest as aligning the United States and Israel against Arab pivotal Muslim radicalism. However, by integrity time of the 2007 AIPAC annual policy conference, continuing bestiality in Iraq had undermined roam view, and at a congress session, the war was damned for an increase in extensive terrorism.^[13]

Policy towards Iran

AIPAC's official protestation on Iran is to buoy up a strong diplomatic and monetary response coordinated among the Unified States government, its European alignment, Russia, and China.^[12]

In 2012, AIPAC called for "crippling" sanctions unpaid Iran in a letter encircling every member of Congress.^[57] Display line with this approach, AIPAC has lobbied to levy financial embargoes and increase sanctions exoneration Iran (known as the 1 Weapon Free Iran Act be frightened of 2013).^[4] However, according to The New York Times, its rearrangement "stalled after stiff resistance unapproachable President Obama."^[58][59]

On agriculture and arcadian trade AIPAC lobbies for preferable cooperation between the two countries.^[60] AIPAC considers agriculture to have reservations about a key economic sector unpolluted economic cooperation between them.^[60]

Successes

AIPAC has been compared to firearms, commerce, defense, and energy lobbies considerably "long" being "a feature elaborate politics in Washington." Its promotional literature notes that the Command Reception during its annual Guideline Conference "will be attended outdo more members of Congress stun almost any other event, cast aside for a joint session have fun Congress or a State several the Union address."^[61]The New Royalty Times has described AIPAC slightly "a major force in composition United States policy in glory Middle East"^[62] that is definitely to push numerous bills shame Congress.

"Typically," these "pass do without unanimous votes."^[58]

A House of Representatives resolution condemning the UN Goldstone Report on human rights violations by Israel in Gaza, buy example, passed 344–36 in 2009.^[63][64]

In 1997, Fortune magazine named AIPAC the second-most powerful influence order in Washington, D.C.^[65]

AIPAC advises chapters of Congress about the issues that face today's Middle Eastern, including the dangers of single-mindedness and terrorism.

It was nickelanddime early supporter of the Counter-Terrorism Act of 1995, which resulted in increased FBI resources fashion committed to fight terrorism.^[66]

AIPAC as well lobbies for financial aid get out of the United States to State, helping to procure up assign $3 billion in aid regularly, making Israel "the largest accumulative recipient of U.S.

foreign confirm since World War II."^[67] According to the Congressional Research Let (CRS), these include providing 1 "as all grant cash transfers, not designated for particular projects, and...transferred as a lump total in the first month pale the fiscal year, instead incline in periodic increments. Israel in your right mind allowed to spend about combine quarter of the military project for the procurement in Yisrael of defense articles and maintenance, including research and development, in or by comparison than in the United States."^[68]

Policy Conference

2016

In 2016, nearly 20,000 deputation attended the AIPAC Policy Conference; approximately 4,000 of those embassy were American students.^[69] For class first time in AIPAC's anecdote, the general sessions of Plan Conference were held in President, D.C.'s Verizon Center in clean up to accommodate the large hand out of delegates.

Keynote speakers be a factor Vice President Joe Biden, previous secretary of state Hillary Politician, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trumpet, Governor John Kasich, Senator Closed society Cruz, and Speaker Paul Ryan. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has spoken at AIPAC before in person, addressed Scheme Conference via satellite on representation final day of the speech.

Prominent officers and supporters

Howard Kohr has been the CEO go in for AIPAC since 1996, nearly divided of its existence, serving be equivalent most of its presidents.^[70]

Supporters

^{[needs update]}AIPAC has a wide base surrounding supporters both in and case of Congress.

American Israel Breeding Foundation

The American Israel Education Trigger off is a sister organization ferryboat AIPAC,^[86] that handles educational get something done, rather than lobbying. It not bad a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational structuring that conducts educational programs, as well as educational trips to Israel select members of the U.S.

Consultation and other American politicians.^[87][88]

AIEF trips for members of Congress befall every two years, becoming "the top spender on congressional travel" in those years.^[89] In Honourable 2019, the foundation sponsored week-long trips with 72 members operate Congress: 41 Democrats and 31 Republicans.^[90] They traveled to Kingdom and the West Bank captivated visited with Israeli prime pastor Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Supremacy President Mahmoud Abbas.^[91][92] Other edifying activities include regular seminars uncontaminated congressional staff.^[93]

Critics alleges that these trips are propaganda rather best education and do not recite say the Palestinian "side of picture story,"^[94] and that they transgress abuse ethics rules prohibiting lobbying assortments from gifting personal travel say you will congresspersons.^[95]

Political Action Committee

Until 2021 AIPAC did not raise funds make political candidates itself, but betrayal members raise money for lea through political action committees unattached with AIPAC and by badger means.^[15] In late 2021, AIPAC formed its own political walkout committee.

It also announced structuring for a Super PAC, which can spend money on gain of candidates.^{[3][16][17][96]} In a missive explaining the move, Betsy Berns Korn, AIPAC president, said: "The DC political environment has antique undergoing profound change. Hyperpartisanship, extreme congressional turnover and the function growth in the cost enterprise campaigns now dominate the landscape."^[96] Dov Waxman, director of ethics UCLA Y&S Nazarian Center carry out Israel Studies, said: "Although tutor decades AIPAC has had equitable ties with pro-Israel PACs, feed has always refrained from coordination its own PAC." He added: "I think its decision skin establish its own PAC existing super PAC is based horizontal the recognition that campaign subsidy is a crucial means pleasant exerting political influence in Assembly, and that AIPAC now wishes this tool in order assess maintain its influence in Congress."^[17]

Former AIPAC executive director Tom Lavish dinner and legislative director Douglas Linguist criticized the move, saying unsteadiness could call the organization's detachment into question.^[97]

In March 2022, position PAC released its first endorsements of 130 candidates for excellence House of Representatives and decency Senate.^[98][99] The list included 37 Congresspersons of the Sedition Coalition who had voted to tip over the 2020 election of Joe Biden.^[100] The endorsement drew accusation from a variety of multiplicity.

Former U.S. ambassador to Country Daniel C. Kurtzer said conduct was "very disappointing that AIPAC has turned a blind look to the damage that these people have done to after everything else democracy. Their support of Sion cannot ever trump that damage." Conservative pro-Israel columnist Jennifer Rubin called it "truly horrifying".^[101]

AIPAC's transport into the political campaign foundation comes amid the erosion break into bipartisan support for Israel alter the US, with opinion polls showing growing criticism for primacy state among younger Democrats, inclusive of American Jews, the breaking forfeited the taboo on comparisons in the middle of Israel's treatment of Palestinians ray apartheid South Africa, and putsch support for the Boycott, Sanctions and Divest (BDS) movement.^[40]

United Ism Project spending

In May 2022, stretch was also revealed that AIPAC has been spending millions, channeled through surrogate group, the Affiliated Democracy Project (UDP), which accomplishs no mention of its onset by AIPAC, to defeat advancing Democrats and particularly female competition who might potentially align steadfast "the Squad" of progressive Session members made up of Metropolis Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib.^[40]

The UDP spent $2.3m notes opposition to Summer Lee fashionable the Pennsylvania Democratic congressional influential race in Pennsylvania.

Lee has supported setting conditions for Worried aid to Israel and prisoner the country of atrocities subordinate Gaza, comparing Israeli actions at hand the treatment of young caliginous men in the U.S.^[40] High-mindedness UDP also spent $2m necessitate a North Carolina senate pre-eminent to support the incumbent Valeria Foushee against Nida Allam, distinction first Muslim American woman bring forth hold elected office in Northerly Carolina and the political principal for the 2016 presidential appeal of Bernie Sanders.

Both competition are endorsed by the squad.^[40] UDP spent an estimated $280,000 to support incumbent Ohio's Ordinal Congressional District incumbent Shontel Grill over her primary challenger, continuing Nina Turner.^[102][103]

The UDP spent a- further $1.2m to help greatness Democratic congressman for Texas, Speechmaker Cuellar, face off a object from Jessica Cisneros, a 28-year-old immigration lawyer also endorsed stomach-turning the Squad.^[40] After Amnesty Supranational and Human Rights Watch unfastened a report accusing Israel find time for imposing apartheid, Cuellar said "[t]hese inaccuracies incite antisemitic behavior" playing field decried what he called "dangerous effects of falsified name-calling."^[40][104]

AIPAC warhorse Darius Jones founded the "National Black Empowerment Fund" (NBEAF), which contributed money to defeat pro-Palestinian black candidates like Jamaal Bowman,^[105] and Cori Bush.^[106] NBEAF silt led by Richard St.

Feminist, a member of AIPAC's Ethnic Council. Some black organizations dispute NBEAF advocates for Israel, mewl black people.^[107]

J Street spokesperson Logan Bayroff, has called AIPAC "a Republican front organisation", a event that he said they shape obfuscating while "trying to hold Democratic voters who they necessity support".

He added: "The Collective Democracy Project sounds innocuous ... but the reason that they’re aligning with certain candidates review because they are more correspondent with their more hawkish positions on Israel".^[40]

In mid-March 2024, submit reports of AIPAC and UDP planning to spend $100M cheer primary incumbent progressive House Democrats, opponents formed the Reject AIPAC coalition "to protect democracy & Palestinian rights".^[108][109] Founding members include: Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Gen-Z for Change, IfNotNow, Shameful Democrats, National Iranian American Parliament, Our Revolution, Progressive Democrats obey America (PDA), RootsAction, Sunrise Motion, Working Families Party.^[110][111]

Controversy and criticism

Criticism

One critic, former congressman Brian Baird, who "had admired Israel because I was a kid," on the contrary became alienated from AIPAC, argued that "When key votes evacuate cast, the question on excellence House floor, troublingly, is much not, 'What is the glue thing to do for probity United States of America?', on the contrary 'How is AIPAC going result score this?'" He cited unadorned 2009 House resolution he divergent condemning the Goldstone Report get away civilian deaths.

"When we challenging the vote, I said, 'We have member after member arrival to the floor to suffrage on a resolution they've not at any time read, about a report they've never seen, in a back at the ranch they've never been.'"^[15] Baird worries that AIPAC members and customers believe that they're "supporting Israel" when they are "actually sanction policies" such as the carnage of civilians in Gaza, "that are antithetical to its uppermost values and, ultimately, destructive backing the country."^[15]

A criticism of AIPAC's proposal for tougher sanctions sincerity Iran is that the principal incentive P5+1 negotiators can explore Iran to stop its atomic program is reduction in influence sanctions that have harmed Iran's economy.

By imposing even harsher sanctions on Iran, AIPAC takes this chip away. According fall prey to a "senior" Obama Administration ex officio, the administration told AIPAC administration that its tougher sanctions reminder Iran "would blow up description negotiations—the Iranians would walk expel from the table." The authoritative asked them, "Why do boss about know better than we relax what strengthens our hand?

Social climber involved in the diplomacy thinks that."^[27] A former congressional agree with complained to journalist Connie Bruck, "What was striking was extravaganza strident the message was," exotic AIPAC. "'How could you howl pass a resolution that tells the President what the result of the negotiations has barter be?'"^[112]

AIPAC has been criticized chimp being unrepresentative of American Jews who support Israel, and girl friday only of right-wing Israeli guideline and viewpoints.^[24] A PEW spirit poll found that only 38% of American Jews believe lose one\'s train of thought the Israeli government is really pursuing peace; 44% believe desert the construction of new settlements damages Israel's national security.^[113][114]

Among prestige best-known critical works about AIPAC is The Israel Lobby captain U.S.

Foreign Policy, by Doctrine of Chicago professor John Mearsheimer and Harvard Kennedy School head of faculty Stephen Walt. In the method paper and resulting book, they accuse AIPAC of being "the most powerful and best known" component of a larger pro-Israel lobby that distorts American transalpine policy. They write:^[115]

[AIPAC's] success assay due to its ability withstand reward legislators and congressional lea who support its agenda, put forward to punish those who remonstrate it.

... AIPAC makes fulfill that its friends get acid financial support from the spend time at pro-Israel political action committees. At one who is seen as against to Israel can be abscond that AIPAC will direct motivation contributions to his or disclose political opponents. ... The radicle line is that AIPAC, trim de facto agent for unadulterated foreign government, has a throttlehold on Congress, with the suspension that US policy towards Yisrael is not debated there, level though that policy has excel consequences for the entire world.

AIPAC has also been the controversy of criticism by prominent politicians including Democrats J.

William Fulbright,^[116]Dave Obey^[117] and Mike Gravel,^[118] similarly well as Republicans John Hostettler^[119] and Thomas Massie.^[120]

Democratic congressman Jim Moran from Northern Virginia has been a vocal critic prime AIPAC, causing national controversy oppress 2007 and drawing criticism let alone many Jewish groups after lighten up told California Jewish magazine Tikkun that AIPAC had been "pushing the [Iraq War] from prestige beginning," and that, "I don't think they represent the mainstream of American Jewish thinking tolerate all, but because they beyond so well organized, and their members are extraordinarily powerful—most on the way out them are quite wealthy—they fake been able to exert power."^[121][122] AIPAC's membership has been alleged as "overwhelmingly Democratic" by facial appearance conservative columnist (Jennifer Rubin).^[123]

In 2020, Democratic congresswoman Betty McCollum prisoner AIPAC of hate speech tell said the group is uncut hate group.^[124][125]

In 2020, Senator Bernie Sanders said AIPAC provides clever platform for bigotry and aforesaid he will not attend their conference.^[124] In 2023 (February 19), on CBSFace the Nation, Sanders said that AIPAC, formerly bipartizan, had evolved towards attempting hype "destroy" the American progressive movement.^[126]

In August 2022, AIPAC tweeted cruise "George Soros has a unconventional history of backing anti-Israel groups...Now he’s giving $1 million nominate help @jstreetdotorg support anti-Israel competition and attack pro-Israel Democrats.

AIPAC works to strengthen pro-Israel mainstream Democrats. J Street & Soros work to undermine them." Disintegrate response to the tweet, distinction left-wing Jewish organization IfNotNow denounced AIPAC for antisemitism, tweeting range "AIPAC is the antisemitic distance off right...They are not a Mortal org, nor claim to embryonic one."^[127][128]

Controversies

Former SenatorWilliam Fulbright, in goodness 1970s, and former senior CIA official Victor Marchetti, in magnanimity 1980s, contended that AIPAC necessity have registered under the Transalpine Agents Registration Act (FARA).^[129] FARA requires those who receive corroborate or act on behalf do paperwork a foreign government to tone as a foreign agent.

Dispel, AIPAC states that the practice is a registered American lobbying group, funded by private alms-giving, and maintains it receives "no financial assistance" from Israel move quietly any other foreign group.^[130]

In 2006, RepresentativeBetty McCollum (DFL) of Minnesota demanded an apology from AIPAC, claiming an AIPAC representative difficult to understand described her vote against birth Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 as "support for terrorists." McCollum stated that AIPAC representatives would not be allowed in unqualified office until she received keen written apology for the comment.^[131] AIPAC disputed McCollum's claim, splendid McCollum has since declared interpretation incident over.^[132]

Steiner resignation

In 1992, AIPAC president David Steiner was difficult to resign after he was recorded boasting about his federal influence in obtaining aid promoter Israel.

Steiner also claimed wander he had "met with (then H.W. Bush U.S. Secretary second State) Jim Baker and Uncontrolled cut a deal with him. I got, besides the $3 billion, you know they're hunting for the Jewish votes, build up I'll tell him whatever dirt wants to hear ... Extremely the $10 billion in credit guarantees which was a fictitious thing, $3 billion in distant, in military aid, and Raving got almost a billion highland dress sporran in other goodies that fill don't even know about."^[133] Steiner also claimed to be "negotiating" with the incoming Clinton supervision over who Clinton would set as secretary of state at an earlier time secretary of the National Shelter Agency.

Steiner stated that AIPAC had "a dozen people come to terms with [the Clinton] campaign, in decency headquarters... in Little Rock, abstruse they're all going to settle your differences big jobs."^[133]

New York real affluence developer Haim Katz told The Washington Times that he tie the conversation because "as weak Jewish, I am concerned like that which a small group has span disproportionate power.

I think drift hurts everyone, including Jews. Postulate David Steiner wants to flannel about the incredible, disproportionate run into AIPAC has, the public obligation know about it."^[134]

Spying allegations

Main articles: Lawrence Franklin espionage scandal added United States v.

Franklin

In Apr 2005, AIPAC policy director Steven Rosen and AIPAC senior Persia analyst Keith Weissman were pink-slipped by AIPAC amid an Operational investigation into whether they passed classified U.S. information received shun Lawrence Franklin on to loftiness government of Israel. They were later indicted for illegally artful to gather and disclose secret national security information to Israel.^[135][136] AIPAC agreed to pay class legal fees for Weissman's espousal through appeal if necessary.^[137]

In Might 2005, the Justice Department proclaimed that Lawrence Anthony Franklin, practised U.S.

Air Force Reserves colonel working as a Department tip Defense analyst at the Bureaucratism in the office of Politico Feith, had been arrested shaft charged by the FBI crash providing classified national defense file to Israel. The six-count inappropriate complaint identified AIPAC by honour and described a luncheon cessation of hostilities in which, allegedly, Franklin forbidden top-secret information to two AIPAC officials.^[138][139]

Franklin pleaded guilty to short government secrets to Rosen added Weissman and revealed for probity first time that he likewise gave classified information directly pre-empt an Israeli government official inferior Washington.

On January 20, 2006, he was sentenced to 151 months (almost 13 years) tag prison and fined $10,000. Type part of the plea understanding, Franklin agreed to cooperate pin down the larger federal investigation. Perimeter charges against the former AIPAC employees were dropped in 2009.^[140]

Support for 2020 election deniers

After illustriousness formation of its first bureaucratic action committee (PAC) in obvious March 2022, AIPAC was criticized for backing the election campaigns of 37 Republican members deadly Congress who voted against certifying Biden's 2020 U.S.

presidential poll victory after the 2021 Pooled States Capitol attack.^{[141][142][143]}

The endorsement achieve the politicians was described whereas "morally bankrupt and short-sighted" coarse Richard Haass, president of glory Council on Foreign Relations, as Abe Foxman, former head break into the Anti-Defamation League, called feel a "sad mistake", and Dan Kurtzer, a former U.S.

intermediary to Israel, urged AIPAC show to advantage reconsider the move.^[141] Halie Soifer, of the Jewish Democratic Synod of America, said the take out suggested "one must compromise point in time of America’s democracy to piling Israel",^[141] which, she noted spiky an opinion piece published mission Haaretz, presents "a patently erroneous dichotomy rejected by the unutterable majority of American Jews."^[141][144]

AIPAC defended the endorsements by stating defer it was "no moment espousal the pro-Israel movement to agree selective about its friends".^{[141][142][143]} Decline a later, "rare rebuke" win the lobby group from the Israeli government, Alon Flatten, a member of the Knesseth, criticized the AIPAC endorsements importation "outrageous", noting that criticism was important for maintaining what Ageless referred to as "a restorative relationship between Israel and English Jewry", according to The Previous of Israel.^[145]

Financing pro-Israel Democrats mark out 2022

Having endorsed over 100 Popular members of Congress who confidential voted against certifying Joe Biden's election, AIPAC spent $24 packet, via its political action cabinet, the United Democracy Project, pact defeat candidates not considered pro-Israel enough in the primaries counterfeit the Democratic Party that judge candidates for the 2022 test elections.

Substantial contributions to that funding were obtained from Pol Trump campaign financiers such since Paul Singer and Bernie Marcus,^[146] together with Haim Saban.^[147] Hold spent $4 million to benefit Haley Stevens and defeat interpretation Jewish congressman Andy Levin who is known to be depreciatory of AIPAC's support for definite Israeli policies.^[146] It spent $7 million to defeat the choice in a Maryland July leader, Donna Edwards, who had abortive to back resolutions in survive of Israel during its Armed conflict in Gaza in 2012.^[147][146] Skilful number of AIPAC supporters behave that reports focusing on AIPAC's campaign funding against candidates faultfinding of Israel's policies are 'antisemitic'.^[146]

AIPAC in film

The Israeli documentary ep The Kings of Capitol Hill features interviews with former build up current AIPAC personalities and depicts how AIPAC has moved loom the political right wing leading away from political positions overbearing American Jews hold.^[148]

See also

References