AIPAC Cuts Donations to Democrats Supporting Military Aid Cuts to Israel

The pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC has stopped donating to Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives who voted in favor of ending all military aid to Israel, according to a New York Times report. The amendment, proposed by Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky as part of a State Department bill, was rejected in a vote of 314 to 104 last Wednesday. However, nearly half of the Democrats supported the measure, highlighting a growing divide between the party and Israel.

Among the 103 Democrats who voted for the amendment were 15 previously backed by AIPAC for their upcoming re-election campaigns in November. These 15 Democrats can no longer receive campaign contributions through AIPAC's website. One affected member is Democratic Congresswoman Katherine Clark, a House minority leader, who stated before the vote that she supported the amendment because she believes Washington "should not provide a blank check for military aid to any country that does not act in accordance with U.S. law, interests, and values."

An AIPAC spokesperson told the newspaper that the organization deeply values its members who stand by their principles and expressed disappointment in those who do not. This move signals AIPAC's firm stance against lawmakers who support cutting military aid to Israel and reflects tensions within the Democratic Party regarding U.S. support for Israel.