AIPAC defends endorsement of Republicans who questioned 2020 election
The pro-Israeli lobby faced criticism for its first roster of political candidates that included those skeptical of the 2020 elections.
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Former Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to AIPAC via video in 2019 (AP)
In response to criticism of its initial list of candidates of political action committee (PAC) endorsements, the American "Israel" Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) told its activists that it would proceed to include politicians of all stripes, including those who questioned the most recent presidential election on the basis of false claims, citing what it calls "Israel"s deadly threats.
In a message sent by AIPAC, the pro-Israeli lobby stated that "We have friends who are pro-choice and pro-life, those who are liberal on immigration and those who want to tighten our borders, and yes, those who disagree strongly on issues surrounding the 2020 presidential election."
Betsy Berns Korn, AIPAC's president, and Howard Kohr, AIPAC's CEO, also signed the letter.
AIPAC established its own PAC in December and announced its first 120 supporters earlier this month, including 37 Republicans who refused to ratify Joe Biden's election on January 6, 2021, which lead to the deadly Capitol hill insurrection. Their placement on the AIPAC endorsement list sparked outrage among "pro-Israel" Democrats.
Friday's letter declared that "This is no moment for the pro-Israel movement to become selective about its friends," adding that in the "Israel" faces "nuclear threats from Iran's rulers and terror tunnels built by Hezbollah and Hamas. An international movement seeking to isolate and demonize the Jewish state continues to make inroads, especially here in the United States.”
The endorsement list also included 27 Democrats who voted "yes" to approve the Iran nuclear deal in 2015.
The letter attempted to compare Ukraine to "Israel," by referring to Zelensky's plea to the US Congress. “His nation faces a war of extinction — a war which will determine whether his nation exists in the coming months.”
The letter was criticized by American Democrats including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), who Tweeted that AIPAC believes it is more acceptable to dismantle US democracy than it is to "question if US tax dollars should fund detention & abuse of Palestinian kids."
So…AIPAC is now endorsing & donating to Republicans who voted to overturn the US election on Jan 6th because, according to their statement, it’s more OK to dismantle US democracy than it is to question if US tax dollars should fund detention & abuse of Palestinian kids.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 18, 2022
Got it. https://t.co/5SY5JY9Vd9
AOC added that she wondered what her colleagues who supported the support felt about the position.
According to Dylan Williams, Vice President of the AIPAC-rival J Street lobby, "This letter seems to suggest that there’s no line the American pro-Israel community shouldn’t cross, even if that means selling out America’s democratic future and supporting those who threaten minorities here at home."
It’s absolutely appalling to see AIPAC doubling down in support of extremists who sided with insurrectionists on January 6. Some thoughts from J Street 🧵
— Dylan Williams (@dylanotes) March 18, 2022
1/8https://t.co/5HFNfUoN1W
