Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iranian media: Iran summons Swiss envoy in Tehran, as representative of US interests, to protest Trump's 'provocative remarks'
Iranian media: Iran summons German ambassador to protest German Chancellor's 'offensive remarks'
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The UN Secretary-General called for a cessation of fighting as a prelude to a ceasefire
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Iran has requested an urgent and emergency meeting of the UN Security Council
France plans European 'initiative' to end Iran-'Israel' conflict: presidency
IRGC: The skies over the occupied territories are open to Iranian missiles and drones
IRGC to settlers: You have to choose between "a slow death" in a hellish life inside shelters or fleeing from 'Israel'
Israeli media outlet quoting a security source: The Iranian missile launched this time at Gush Dan is unusual in its type, weight, and explosives capacity
Iran's IRGC: In the 12th wave, long-range super-heavy Sejjil missiles were launched
Iran's IRGC: At the beginning of the 12th two-layered wave of Operation True Promise 3, heavy, long-range missiles were deployed

AIPAC heavily influences US lawmakers' 'Israel' perspectives: Politico

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Politico
  • 30 Oct 2024 17:34
4 Min Read

A Politico piece sheds lights on the impact of AIPAC’s lobbying efforts, which critics argue contribute to a one-sided US approach to Middle Eastern policy.

Listen
  • x
  • AP photo
    Secretary of State Antony Blinken shakes hands with AIPAC President Michael Tuchin before delivering remarks at the 2023 AIPAC Summit, on Monday, June 5, 2023, at the Grand Hyatt in Washington. (AP)

An investigative piece, published by Politico on Wednesday, detailed the powerful influence of the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in shaping the perspectives of US lawmakers on "Israel". 

Conducted in partnership with the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland, the report reveals the extent to which AIPAC-sponsored trips to "Israel" have dominated privately funded international travel for members of Congress. 

Since 2012, more than a quarter of all privately sponsored foreign trips reported by House members and their staff have been to "Israel", funded primarily by AIPAC's nonprofit arm, the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF).

Through these trips, AIPAC has sought to bolster support for "Israel" by offering lawmakers a heavily pro-"Israel" itinerary, often aligned with the policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

The investigation shows that these visits are carefully curated, featuring meetings with high-profile Israeli officials and presentations on "Israel's" security needs but offering limited engagement with Palestinian voices or perspectives on the broader occupation of Palestine.

Unbalanced views

Politico's report sheds light on the impact of AIPAC's lobbying efforts, which critics argue contribute to a one-sided US approach to Middle Eastern policy. 

Former Rep. Andy Levin, a critic of AIPAC's strategy, notes that these trips can lead to an unbalanced view of US- "Israel" relations and the occupation, particularly given AIPAC's alignment with conservative Israeli policies. 

AIPAC's influence extends beyond travel, with the organization's super PAC spending millions on campaigns, including $6 million to support Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-Md.) in his 2022 election.

Critics also raise concerns that the heavy focus on "Israel" sidelines attention to other crucial global regions, a perspective echoed by former lawmakers like Rep. Brian Baird, who highlighted the lack of attention to the western hemisphere and Asia. 

Related News

US House to vote on bill criminalizing boycott of 'Israel'

Pro-Israeli WINEP exposed as 'dark money' op. fueling US wars

Read more: AIPAC's massive spending in US elections exposed in new report

While alternative organizations like J Street and Rebuilding Alliance offer congressional trips with more focus on Palestinian issues, they have a smaller presence and influence compared to AIPAC.

AIPAC, in a written statement, defended its travel program as educational, promoting bipartisan understanding of the US-"Israel" relationship. 

The trips, AIPAC said, offer lawmakers "a unique perspective on challenges facing the US and our ally Israel." 

However, Politico's report raises questions about the effects of this single-narrative exposure, especially as the US continues to debate its support for "Israel" amid ongoing provocations.

Debating support for 'Israel'?

While the report notes that the US is considering limiting its support for "Israel" amid heightened regional tensions, there are clear indications that it may be deliberately leaning toward an escalated stance against Iran.

Since the Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, the US has provided "Israel" with an estimated $17.9 billion in military aid—marking the largest single-year allocation of support.

This aid has included financial assistance, expedited arms shipments, and resources from US stockpiles in "Israel," such as artillery shells, precision-guided munitions, and bunker-buster bombs.

Additionally, around $4 billion was allocated to bolster "Israel's" missile defense systems, including the Iron Dome and David's Sling, alongside smaller items like rifles and jet fuel.

The US continues to supply "Israel" with arms despite the reported civilian death toll exceeding 40,000 in Gaza.

Beyond arms and financial support, the US has deployed military assets across the region to protect "Israel".

Read more: US boosts military personnel in Middle East by 17%

  • AIPAC
  • Politico
  • Israel
  • US politics
  • Israeli lobby
  • US-Israeli relations

Most Read

Iranian missiles impact Israeli sites in Tel Aviv in 2nd wave

Iran's missiles impact 'strategic' Israeli site in Tel Aviv

  • Politics
  • 14 Jun 2025
Bin Salman: Islamic world backs Iran in call to Pezeshkian

MBS says Islamic world backs Iran in call with Pezeshkian

  • MENA
  • 15 Jun 2025
Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Smoke rises after an Iranian ballistic missile directly struck Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

Op. True Promise 3: Iran's ballistic missiles strike Tel Aviv

  • MENA
  • 13 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A Turkish Air Force pilot gestures from the cockpit of an F-16 military fighter jet before an Air Policing exercise at the Baza 86 military air base, outside Fetesti, Romania, Wednesday, March 6, 2024 (AP)
Politics

Israeli aircraft violate Turkish airspace, fighter jets scrambled

An Israeli occupation forces armored personnel carrier maneuvers in the Gaza Strip, southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, June 11, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian Resistance downs Israeli drone in Gaza amid extensive ops

An Israeli Hermes 450 UAV drone flies over Beirut, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
Politics

Iran reports shooting down 28 types of hostile aircraft in 24 hours

Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze after a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran retaliatory strikes target greater Tel Aviv as injuries reported

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS