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
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

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

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Politico
  • 30 Oct 2024 18:34
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

Ex-AIPAC-funded lawmakers back bill to halt US weapons to 'Israel'

Half of Americans say 'Israel' has too much US influence: Poll

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

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025
A screengrab from the ad played on Fox News. (X Screengrab)

Fox airs ad warning Trump not to let Netanyahu 'play' him on Gaza

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

  • Palestine
  • 14 Sep 2025
UKLFI’s latest faux pas, like "Israel’s" recent failed attempt at regime change in Iran, is unambiguously indicative of a flailing entity on the verge of extinction. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Zeinab el-Hajj)

Zionist lawfare operation facing collapse?

  • Opinion
  • 13 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A Hezbollah supporter who lost his sight in a pager attack carried out by "Israel" on Sept. 17, 2024, covers his eyes with a red headband inscribed with the name "Hussein" during Ashoura, July 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'We Have Recovered': Lebanon marks 1st anniversary of Pager Attack

The Arab neighborhood of El Za'im, on the outskirts of east Occupied Al-Quds in the West Bank, near where Israeli government says housing units will be built as part of the E1 settlement project, Thursday, August 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)
Palestine

'Israel’s' deliberate policies drive West Bank economy toward collapse

Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Politics

Ben & Jerry’s co-founder resigns over parent company curbing activism

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll
US & Canada

Trump’s approval rating falls to new low in second term: Poll

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