AIPAC Shifts Strategy, Ending Direct Candidate Endorsements
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
The pro-Israel lobby AIPAC announced it will cease directly endorsing and funding specific candidates for U.S. Congress, a shift occurring just weeks before the midterm elections. While direct member donations will continue, the lobby's website will no longer list endorsements. This change is seen as a response to the political climate, where such support can be a liability, particularly amid accusations of "Jewish money" influencing elections.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- AIPAC will stop directly endorsing and funding specific candidates for U.S. Congress.
- The lobby's website will remove endorsements, and politicians won't need to declare AIPAC funding.
- Direct financial contributions from AIPAC members to candidates will increase, totaling over $90 million.
- The shift is a response to direct pro-Israel support becoming a political liability.
- Progressive groups have reportedly used anti-Semitic tropes about "Jewish money" influencing elections.
- Haley Stevens, who received $30 million from AIPAC, lost a Michigan primary to Abdul al-Sayed.
The influential pro-Israel lobby AIPAC will no longer directly endorse or fund specific candidates for U.S. Congress, according to a recent announcement. This change comes less than two weeks before the midterm elections.
AIPAC spokesperson Daren Suss stated that while the organization's mission to support U.S.-Israel relations remains unchanged, direct financial contributions from its members to candidates will continue and increase. "Our members have directly donated over $90 million to candidates," Suss noted, implying this direct member support will be amplified.
The lobby's website will also remove endorsements of specific candidates, and politicians will no longer be required to disclose receiving funds from AIPAC. This policy shift appears to be a response to the evolving U.S. political landscape, where direct support from pro-Israel groups can be perceived as a liability.
Progressive factions and proponents of Palestinian rights have reportedly revived anti-Semitic tropes concerning "Jewish money" and election influence. A recent example cited is the Democratic primary in Michigan, where Haley Stevens, who had received $30 million from AIPAC, lost to Abdul al-Sayed, a socialist Muslim who campaigned on opposing "Zionist support." Following this, Republican candidate Mike Rogers reportedly asked the lobby not to endorse him.
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