Article Summary –
Several progressive organizations have formed a coalition, named Reject Aipac, to counter the spending of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac), which has invested heavily in primary campaigns against progressive Democrats. The coalition, comprising groups such as Justice Democrats, Jewish Voice for Peace, and the Sunrise Movement, was formed in response to continued congressional support for Israel’s campaign in Gaza and Aipac’s increased involvement in election campaigns. The coalition aims to disrupt Aipac’s foreign policy influence in Congress and highlight its alliance with far-right factions.
Progressive Coalition Counters Aipac’s Influence in Democratic Primaries
A group of progressive organizations, including Justice Democrats and the Sunrise Movement climate organization, have launched a fundraiser to counter the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac) influence in primary campaigns against progressive Democrats. This effort, known as Reject Aipac, was formed as a response to the ongoing congressional support for Israel’s campaign in Gaza, which has claimed over 30,000 Palestinian lives since 7 October.
“We have observed Aipac’s calculated efforts to stifle growing congressional dissent against Netanyahu’s assault on Gaza,” said the coalition in a statement, “despite the fact that Democratic voters overwhelmingly support a ceasefire and oppose further unconditional aid to the Israeli military.”
Aipac, founded in the 1950s, used to refrain from election campaigns, focusing on reinforcing bipartisan support for Israel in Congress – particularly through military spending. However, in recent years, Aipac has formed a political action committee of its own and has been increasing campaign funding through its Super Pac, the United Democracy Project (UDP). The organization has particularly targeted progressive Democratic candidates who advocate for Palestinian rights.
In the 2022 election cycle, Aipac spent $2.3m in the Democratic Pennsylvania primary contest between Summer Lee and Steve Irwin. While Lee, a progressive Democrat, won the race, it was one of the closest in the nation. Aipac also invested millions in a primary campaign against progressive Democrat and self-described Zionist, Andy Levin who lost to Haley Stevens, a strong supporter of US military aid for Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
The organization is expected to spend $100m in the 2024 election cycle targeting candidates it deems insufficiently pro-Israel. A 2024 analysis found that members of Congress who were most supportive of Israel’s campaign in Gaza also benefited from donations from pro-Israel groups such as Aipac.
The Reject Aipac coalition plans to launch a “seven-figure electoral defense campaign” to disrupt Aipac’s influence on foreign policy in Congress. The coalition is also an attempt to expose Aipac’s affiliation with the far-right in recent years. Aipac’s top funders include Republican mega donors and Donald Trump supporters, and it has endorsed dozens of Republicans who attempted to overturn Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.
Beth Miller, the political director of JVP Action and a member of the Reject Aipac coalition, declared, “No Democratic candidate should accept Aipac money or an endorsement. This is a far-right group – they’re endorsing insurrectionists, they’re supporting extremist, far-right candidates. It should be an embarrassment for any Democratic member of Congress to accept money or an endorsement from Aipac.”
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