The PAC’s biggest donor is Stacy Schusterman, who has donated $1 million this election cycle and is also a national council member of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The second largest donor is Gary Mark Lauder, who also has links to AIPAC. His uncle is president of the World Jewish Congress. After spending $1.4 million on ads opposing Bernie Sanders, the PAC is now focusing on Congressional races…
As voters go to the polls in 14 states, the Democratic establishment, often heavily influenced by Israel partisans, is trying to block a Sanders’ nomination that could potentially be ‘catastrophic’ for Israel… Klobuchar, Buttigieg, O’Rourke etc have endorsed Biden… but Bloomberg still hopes to win a brokered election after his half a billion dollars worth of advertising…
For many, taking aim at the pro-Israel lobby this week embodies what the Democratic front-runner stands for – and highlights why Israel partisans are worried about him. Israel’s UN ambassador, speaking to the AIPAC convention on March 1st, called Sanders an ‘ignorant fool’ and said: “We don’t want him in Israel.”
Mike Bloomberg once again exhibited his ignorant preconceptions of the Arab world, Palestine, and Islam during South Carolina’s fiery Democratic debate. As Bernie Sanders said, we need to start being a little more honest about American foreign policy…
One supports Palestinian human rights. One says he’d keep the $10 million per day flowing to Israel no matter what it does. Which is which? Spoiler alert: 18 pro-Israel billionaires have donated to Buttigieg (see list)
Mike Bloomberg is courting pro-Israel, Jewish voters with conservative-type promises to keep Israel great, and progressive positions on everything else. The Democratic Majority for Israel PAC (DMFI) supports similarly PEP (Progressive Except Palestine) candidates. Both have it out for Bernie Sanders.
“As high-profile endorsements rolled in for Bernie Sanders, one group of Democrats bristled. Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI), a lobby group filled with Washington insiders, struck back at the outsider who’s been rattling the Democratic establishment…
J Street asked several democratic candidates for president to comment on aid to Israel. Their responses reflect the growing movement in the US to condition aid on treatment of Palestinians – but don’t get too excited.
Overall, Bernie Sanders has taken the boldest stand for Palestinian human rights, but has pulled back to “safe” positions more than once; Elizabeth Warren has a history of support for Israel despite its long, systemic record of human rights abuses, but seems willing to respond to pressure from voters. Neither has advocated for full Palestinian rights and justice. See a detailed report on Sanders’ and Warrens’ position on Palestine…
On the critical issue of Israel/Palestine, Democratic presidential hopefuls reveal a strong pro-Israel leaning that does not match the sentiments of a huge swath of Democratic voters.