Progressive groups are urging Democratic leadership to reject endorsements and outside spending from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a pro-Israel lobbying group that has recently targeted members of the left-leaning “Squad” in primary races. The groups argue that AIPAC’s reliance on donations from right-wing donors and attacks on progressive policies undermines the party’s ability to win elections and defend popular agendas like Medicare for All and a Green New Deal. They are calling on the party to stand up to GOP-backed PACs and corporate lobbies that seek to influence Democratic politics.
AIPAC and its affiliated super PAC spent over $25 million in efforts to defeat Reps. Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush, both members of the Squad, in their recent primaries. This has sparked criticism from allies who believe that Democratic leadership did not do enough to protect progressive incumbents from AIPAC’s influence. The letter demanding rejection of AIPAC’s support comes just days before the 2024 Democratic National Convention, where the party aims to present a unified front in support of Vice President Kamala Harris as she accepts the nomination for president. The ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has claimed numerous civilian lives, has heightened tensions within the party over U.S. support for Israel.
Reject AIPAC, a coalition of progressive groups including Justice Democrats, the Movement for Black Lives, and the Sunrise Movement, was formed to counter AIPAC’s influence and spending power. While AIPAC claims to base its candidate support solely on their stance on Israel, critics argue that the group often targets progressive lawmakers who also advocate for policies like wealth taxes and healthcare for all. The left wing of the party has expressed frustration with AIPAC’s ability to influence primary races and is working to mobilize support against the lobbying group’s involvement in Democratic politics.
Despite longstanding criticisms of AIPAC, few party members have previously called for rejecting support from the organization. Rep. Cori Bush was one of the first to openly reject AIPAC’s contributions, and others, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, have since joined in rejecting the group’s endorsements and financial support. While the party cannot prevent AIPAC from spending in primary contests, it can discourage candidates recruited by the organization from entering races, support incumbents against AIPAC-funded challengers, and work to counter the group’s legislative influence within the party.
Reject AIPAC argues that the party’s long-term success relies on resisting AIPAC’s interference in primaries and standing up for progressive values that energize key voting demographics. The letter emphasizes the importance of aligning the party’s actions with its principles, particularly on issues like reproductive rights, democracy, and peace, rather than accepting support from a right-wing organization that undermines those principles. The coalition of progressive groups is calling on Democratic leadership to take a stand against AIPAC and other outside interests that seek to influence the party’s direction and priorities.
