The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and its affiliates are expected to spend $100 million in Democratic primaries to try to oust members of Congress who do not unequivocally support Israel.
by Jack McGrath, reposted from Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, June/July 2024 issue, p. 28.
Most Americans oppose Israel’s war on Gaza, with a Gallup poll finding that only 36 percent approved of Israel’s “military actions” in March, compared to 50 percent in November. Of the 55 percent who are opposed, 75 percent are Democrats, 60 percent are Independents, and 30 percent are Republicans.
If such a paradigm shift were reflected in Congress, the unconditional military, diplomatic and financial support that the United States provides to Israel would be jeopardized.
In the 2023-2024 congressional cycle, pro-Israel political action committees (PACs) and affiliated donors have spent more than $37 million to bolster elected allies and fund candidates challenging anti-war incumbents.
That sum comprises $24 million distributed to 356 members of the House of Representatives and $7.6 million to 40 senators, with $5.6 million donated to unelected candidates. Democrats are the foremost beneficiaries of pro-Israel funding: 214 Democratic candidates received $23.16 million, while $13.58 million was spent on 179 Republicans.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and its affiliates are expected to spend $100 million in Democratic primaries to try to oust members of Congress who do not unequivocally support Israel, particularly those in “The Squad.” Challenger Wesley Bell’s primary campaign against Representative Cori Bush (MO-1) is being bankrolled by the pro-Israel lobby, which has donated $827,094 since October. Representative Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) is fighting to retain his seat against challenger George Latimer, who has received $1,633,912 (more than any other candidate) from pro-Israel PACs since December.
The following pages list the donations made to congressional candidates by the pro-Israel lobby and its stealth PACs during the 2023-2024 election cycle and throughout their careers. Candidates are required to report donations to the Federal Election Commission, which released these figures on April 22, 2024.The FEC updates its reports once a month and finalizes its numbers after the election. The Website OpenSecrets compiles those FEC reports. Visit for the latest figures.
“Dark money” from nonprofits which are not obligated to report their donors and have no spending limits will also influence elections by running ads for or against candidates. Viewers don’t know the pro-Israel source of these ads, which rarely mention Israel. The sums spent on advertising are incalculable.
Jack McGrath is a staff writer for Washington Report and assistant director of Middle East Books and More bookstore.
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