‘Reject AIPAC’ launches to counter pro-Israel spending in 2024
Activists protest outside AIPAC headquarters in New York City on Feb. 22, 2024. Courtesy of Jewish Voice for Peace
By Jacob Kornbluh March 11, 2024
A coalition of left-leaning groups launched “Reject AIPAC” Monday, an effort to counter the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s influence in Congress, and its spending to weaken critics of Israel in Democratic primaries.
The two dozen groups have all been critical of Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, and organized and joined protest votes against President Joe Biden in the Democratic presidential primaries.
The coalition includes Justice Democrats, the Working Families Party, the Democratic Socialists of America, the Bernie Sanders-affiliated Our Revolution group and left-leaning Jewish groups opposed to Israel’s occupation of the West Bank.
“Now is the time for the whole of the Democratic Party to Reject AIPAC once and for all,” reads the group’s statement. “The fight against AIPAC is one of the fights for the soul of our democracy.”
AIPAC supports pro-Israel candidates through a federal political action committee and its super PAC, the United Democracy Project. The group is expected to invest about $100 million this year to defeat progressive Democrats critical of Israel.
“Reject AIPAC” aims to raise millions of dollars, it said in its statement, to support incumbents targeted by AIPAC. At least two members of the Squad are facing competitive primaries — Rep. Jammal Bowman of New York and Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota is also competing in a Democratic primary.
The countereffort will include paid advertising and grassroots organizing and lobbying against AIPAC on Capitol Hill.
IfNotNow launched the “Reject AIPAC” campaign last year to pressure members of Congress residing in states with large Jewish populations to refuse endorsements and financial contributions from AIPAC, but Monday’s announcement described a “first-of-its-kind” coalition behind the campaign.
AIPAC spokesperson Marshall Wittman said it “will not be deterred in our efforts by an extremist anti-Israel fringe.”
He said AIPAC’s PAC is the largest independent contributor to Democratic candidates, including nearly half of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Black Caucus and Hispanic Caucus.
“In addition, our affiliated super PAC supported Democratic progressive candidates, who defeated anti-Israel candidates in their primary, won their general election, and are currently serving in Congress,” he said.
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