Malcolm Rivera
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is a powerful pro-Israel lobbying group in the United States that has been accused of contributing to political campaigns and influencing elections. AIPAC's spending on elections has been described as a very bad sign for democracy, with some observers arguing that it is a desperate attempt to maintain support for Israel's actions in Gaza, which many Democratic voters view as genocide. While AIPAC itself does not contribute directly to federal candidates, its affiliated political action committees (PACs) and individuals associated with the organization have spent millions of dollars supporting candidates and influencing elections. AIPAC's spending has been linked to the defeat of progressive candidates and the promotion of pro-Israel agendas, raising concerns about the group's influence on US politics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| AIPAC's spending on 2024 elections | Over $100 million |
| AIPAC's spending on 2022 midterm elections | $24 million |
| AIPAC's spending on 2018 election cycle | $21,350 |
| AIPAC's spending on lobbying in 2018 | $3.5 million |
| AIPAC's spending on direct support in 2024 | $53 million |
| Number of pro-Israel candidates supported by AIPAC in 2024 | 361 |
| Number of legislators who received less than $10,000 in backing | 132 |
| Number of legislators who received $0 | 33 |
| Average amount received by Congress members who were more supportive of Israel at the start of the Gaza war | $100,000 more |
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What You'll Learn
- AIPAC's political action committee spent $44.8 million on donations to political campaigns and party organizations
- AIPAC's super PAC, the United Democracy Project, spent $55.4 million
- AIPAC spent $24 million to defeat candidates not considered pro-Israel enough
- AIPAC spent $7 million to defeat Donna Edwards, who failed to back resolutions in support of Israel during the 2012 War in Gaza
- AIPAC spent $4 million to support Haley Stevens and defeat Andy Levin
AIPAC's political action committee spent $44.8 million on donations to political campaigns and party organizations
AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, is a powerful lobbying group that has been called the "biggest source of Republican money flowing into competitive Democratic primaries". AIPAC's political action committee spent $44.8 million on donations to political campaigns and party organizations. This spending is in addition to the $55.4 million spent by the United Democracy Project (UDP), AIPAC's super PAC, bringing AIPAC's total spending in the 2024 election cycle to over $100 million.
AIPAC's spending has been described as a "'very bad sign for democracy'" by some observers, who note the group's aggressive spending in the face of growing public opposition to Israel's actions in Gaza. AIPAC has been accused of being an agent of the Israeli government, with a "stranglehold" on the United States Congress. The group has been particularly active in defeating progressive opponents of Israel's policies, such as Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush, who were critical of Israel's assault on Gaza.
AIPAC's political action committee provides direct support to pro-Israel Democratic and Republican candidates. In 2024, AIPAC supported 361 such candidates with more than $53 million in direct support. AIPAC's supporters claim that the group is bipartisan, pointing to its support for both major parties' nominees in the 2016 election. However, critics argue that AIPAC is strongly allied with the Likud party of Israel and the Republican Party in the US.
AIPAC's influence extends beyond its financial contributions. The group has been known to offer luxury flights and accommodation to congress members and has a large number of members and donors. AIPAC's website and publications are also scrutinized by thousands of potential donors. The group has been accused of derailing peace processes and opposing Palestinian statehood. AIPAC's spending on lobbying has also increased, with $3.5 million spent in 2018, a significant sum in the realm of foreign policy.
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AIPAC's super PAC, the United Democracy Project, spent $55.4 million
AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, is the largest pro-Israel PAC in America. It has been accused of acting as an agent of the Israeli government and having a "stranglehold" on the United States Congress. AIPAC's supporters, however, claim that it is a bipartisan organization.
AIPAC's super PAC, the United Democracy Project (UDP), spent $55.4 million during the 2024 election cycle as of September 2024. This brought AIPAC's total spending for the cycle to over $100 million, surpassing its reported spending target for 2024 races. The UDP is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that cannot donate to candidates directly but can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money expressly advocating for or against federal candidates.
The UDP spent money to defeat progressive Democrats, particularly those who were female and might align with "the Squad" of progressive Congress members, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib. The UDP spent $2.3 million in opposition to Summer Lee in the Pennsylvania Democratic congressional primary race, $2 million in a North Carolina senate primary to support the incumbent Valeria Foushee, and $5.2 million against Democratic Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri, who has been a vocal critic of the Israeli government. The UDP also spent money in support of Wesley Bell, who defeated Bush in the primary for her 1st Congressional District seat.
The UDP's spending has been criticized by some as a sign of desperation in the face of growing public opposition to Israel's actions in Gaza. A majority of Democratic voters view Israel's war on Gaza as genocide, according to one survey. However, AIPAC's spending has also been defended as necessary to counter rising anti-Israel sentiment in Congress.
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AIPAC spent $24 million to defeat candidates not considered pro-Israel enough
AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, is the largest pro-Israel PAC (Political Action Committee) in the US. Its stated purpose is to lobby the US Congress on issues and legislation related to Israel. AIPAC regularly meets with members of Congress and holds events to share its views.
AIPAC's involvement in political campaigns comes at a time when bipartisan support for Israel in the US is eroding, with growing criticism from younger Democrats, including American Jews, and rising support for the Boycott, Sanctions and Divest (BDS) movement.
In 2024, AIPAC supported 361 pro-Israel Democratic and Republican candidates with more than $53 million in direct support. However, AIPAC's critics have accused it of being an agent of the Israeli government, with a "stranglehold" on Congress. They argue that AIPAC acts as an ally of the Likud party in Israel and the Republican Party in the US. AIPAC has denied these claims, describing itself as a bipartisan organization.
AIPAC has been accused of spending millions of dollars, channelled through surrogate groups like the United Democracy Project (UDP), to defeat progressive Democrats, particularly female candidates who might align with "the Squad" of progressive Congress members, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib. For example, the UDP spent $2.3 million in opposition to Summer Lee in the Pennsylvania Democratic congressional primary race.
In addition to direct campaign contributions, AIPAC also commits to spending on other influence-peddling methods, such as providing luxury flights and accommodation for Congress members. AIPAC's vast spending power has been noted to instill fear in Congress, with some consultants advising candidates to take pro-Israel positions to secure financial backing.
While AIPAC is the most prominent pro-Israel PAC, other groups like J Street and DMFI also play a significant role in supporting pro-Israel candidates and influencing US policy towards Israel.
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AIPAC spent $7 million to defeat Donna Edwards, who failed to back resolutions in support of Israel during the 2012 War in Gaza
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is a pro-Israel lobby group that has been known to contribute financially to political campaigns. In 2022, AIPAC spent $7 million to defeat Donna Edwards, a former US Representative and progressive Democrat who was running for Congress in Maryland's 4th Congressional District.
Edwards was the favourite to win the primary for a safe seat in Maryland. However, she had angered pro-Israel groups during her previous stint in Congress by failing to back resolutions in support of Israel during the 2012 War in Gaza. She also supported the Obama administration's nuclear deal with Iran, which was strongly opposed by the Israeli government. As a result, AIPAC and its allies spent nearly $7 million through political action committees to block Edwards' election.
The United Democracy Project (UDP), a super PAC launched by AIPAC, spent $6 million of that amount. The UDP was created to legally allow AIPAC to funnel unlimited sums of money to directly influence elections and counter criticism of Israeli apartheid from within the Democratic Party. While Edwards was endorsed by high-ranking Democrats, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the UDP-funded television ads criticizing her made no mention of Israel. Instead, they attacked her as an ineffective politician.
AIPAC's involvement in the race was part of a broader trend of the organization targeting Democratic candidates who are not sufficiently pro-Israel. AIPAC has been accused of trying to intimidate candidates into feeling that they cannot criticize Israeli policies or vocally support Palestinian rights. By contributing financially to political campaigns, AIPAC exerts influence over the Democratic Party's stance on Israel and foreign policy.
AIPAC's spending in political campaigns has raised concerns about the impact of "dark money" in elections. "Dark money" refers to spending by outside groups, such as UDP, that allows for unlimited and undisclosed contributions to influence elections. This type of spending can distort Democratic primaries and embolden right-wing entryism within the party.
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AIPAC spent $4 million to support Haley Stevens and defeat Andy Levin
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is a pro-Israel lobbying group that has been called one of the most powerful lobbying groups in the United States. It was founded in 1954 by Isaiah L. Kenen, a lobbyist for the Israeli government, and its mission is to advocate for pro-Israel policies in the legislative and executive branches of the US government. AIPAC has been accused of having a ""disproportionate power" and a "stranglehold" on the United States Congress, with some claiming that it acts as an agent of the Israeli government.
In 2022, AIPAC played a significant role in the Democratic primary race in Michigan's 11th district between incumbent Rep. Haley Stevens and Rep. Andy Levin. AIPAC spent over $4 million in support of Stevens and to defeat Levin, making it a major player in the contest. The group donated $4.2 million to boost Stevens in the weeks leading up to the election, with 92% of the total amount aimed at supporting her campaign. AIPAC's support for Stevens was largely due to her pro-Israel stance, while Levin had displeased the group by introducing a bill that restricted Israel from using US taxpayer dollars for settlements in the occupied West Bank and defending Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, who have been accused of antisemitism.
Levin, who is Jewish, was backed by the liberal Zionist group J Street, which spent around $700,000 on ads, and the progressive Jewish organization IfNotNow. Despite being outspent, Levin's campaign remained competitive, and he received donations of over $300,000 directly from supporters. The race between Stevens and Levin was also influenced by recent redistricting in Michigan, which changed the demographic makeup of the 11th district.
Ultimately, Stevens prevailed over Levin by a significant margin, winning 60% of the vote to Levin's 40%. AIPAC celebrated Levin's defeat, sending out a press release stating that the result sent a "unambiguous message" that being pro-Israel is "sound policy and smart politics." The group's involvement in the race sparked scrutiny from progressives, who questioned the influence of pro-Israel money in politics and the impact on US-Israel relations.
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Frequently asked questions
AIPAC does not contribute directly to candidates. However, it has affiliated political action committees that spend millions of dollars on political campaigns.
AIPAC spent over $100 million in the 2024 election cycle.
AIPAC supported 361 pro-Israel Democratic and Republican candidates in 2024 with more than $53 million in direct support.
AIPAC's mission is to strengthen the US-Israel relationship.
AIPAC influences politics through lobbying and political action committees. It also creates "caucuses" in every congressional district and distributes campaign contributions to candidates in those districts.
