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
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

AIPAC on a quest to oust progressives due to Gaza stance: WaPo

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Washington Post
  • 26 Mar 2024 19:04
  • 6 Shares
6 Min Read

Columnist Perry Bacon Jr. writes how AIPAC is taking a more aggressive approach to congressional funding, attempting to reduce the number currently in office.

  • x
  • Washpo: Progressives could lose their seats due to Gaza
    From left, Rep. Cori Bush, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, Rep. Barbara Lee, and other Democrats pose for a photo with a sign calling for a ceasefire in Gaza outside the Capitol in Washington, D.C. in November 2023. (AP)

Some of the best members of Congress may be removed this year, The Washington Post reported. They are facing massive spending campaigns as punishment for holding viewpoints that differ from those of the affluent and powerful, most notably their vehement opposition to the Israeli war on Gaza.

Perry Bacon Jr. details in the Post  that these 18 members had repeatedly asked for a ceasefire when they realized the Israeli response in Gaza to events of October 7 would be "full-scale destruction of Gaza."

This group includes Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (New York), Jamaal Bowman, Ilhan Omar, Cori Bush, and Barbara Lee. 

With Biden and most other leaders in both parties mainly backing "Israel", the members stood firm in their rejection, which is essentially why the highly pro-"Israel" AIPAC wants them removed from parliament. AIPAC has recruited more moderate Democrats to run against these progressives in primaries, and those rivals will allegedly get tens of millions of dollars.

Significant campaigns are underway against Bowman of New York, Omar of Minnesota, Bush, and Lee. Bacon believes these members have a genuine risk of losing since there will be no well-funded PAC on their side to save them. 

In reality, challengers typically lose because incumbents can raise and spend far more on their campaigns. However, these progressive incumbents will most certainly have significantly less money for TV advertising and other campaign activity in their districts than their opponents (AIPAC and the real politicians they are running against).

Read more: AIPAC pushing lies that forced starvation in Gaza 'false'

He notes that although AIPAC's main motive is to oust them for their Gaza stance, the committee recognizes that most Democratic voters are not staunch supporters of "Israel" and the vast majority want a ceasefire in Gaza. 

Bush's opponent, Wesley Bell, is slamming her for voting against the Biden-backed infrastructure plan enacted two and a half years ago. He is attempting to portray Bush as not just antagonistic to the President but also opposed to the widely shared goal of fixing America's roads and bridges.

Another issue for members like Bush and Lee is that they receive little or no support from Democratic Party leaders, strategists, and other establishment figures in their districts and throughout the country.

AIPAC running the show

Two years ago, AIPAC and numerous moderate Democratic groups spent extensively in Democratic primaries to prevent the election of more AOC-aligned lawmakers.

Related News

Cholera devastates Darfur region amid conflict, US aid cuts

US uses tariffs to strongarm India on Russia ties

This year, AIPAC is taking a more aggressive approach, attempting not just to prevent new progressives from being elected to Congress but also to reduce the number currently in office.

Recently, a group of over 100 liberal Jewish activists said in a joint letter published last week that they "strongly oppose AIPAC’s attempts to dominate Democratic primary elections" as they urged candidates "to not accept AIPAC network funding."

Bacon believes that incumbent Democrats in extremely blue areas understand they have a choice: remain mute on how "Israel" treats Palestinians and risk few primary challenges or speak out and face well-funded, heated criticism from fellow Democrats.

Despite Biden's persistent defense of "Israel's" conduct and Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer's (D-N.Y.) suggestion that criticism is motivated by antisemitism, these lawmakers have stood firm. 

Democratic voters, the media, and even Biden and Schumer are increasingly sounding like progressives months ago, criticizing "Israel" for failing to respect the lives of Palestinian civilians.

Bacon concludes by declaring that strong stances that prove to be correct should be praised, not penalized, adding that AIPAC is expected to unseat at least one of these lawmakers this year, if not more, rendering the situation in the country much worse than it already is.

AIPAC has US govt in 'chokehold': Ex-congressional staffer

According to Rodney Martin, a former US legislative staffer, the strong "American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)" and other pro-"Israel" lobby groups in the United States have successfully choked the US government.

Martin, who is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, made the statements in an exclusive interview for PressTV on Wednesday, while remarking on Washington's stance of sending weaponry to "Israel" in its murderous campaign against Gaza.

Martin detailed how the US "flooding" the occupation with weapons was far from new, noting that AIPAC and other Zionist groups have "successfully placed a chokehold on the United States’ government, primarily historically on the Congress."

He noted the growing dissent within the Democratic Party regarding the war on Gaza and called it a "very positive development."

Martin detailed that the Republican Party was “dominated by rabid, racist Zionists" and expressed his belief that Donald Trump may "put an end" to the current predicament in some way, noting that he has not been happy with the Israeli Prime Minister recently. 

Martin called the coalition a new phenomenon since AIPAC has "dominated the US Congress on both sides of the political spectrum," adding that its "stranglehold" has been shaken off due to its aggression and "overreaction in Gaza," which they used as an excuse to ethnically cleanse the strip.

He noted, however, that until the coalition broadens and extends beyond a few outspoken Congress members, the occupation will continue to have a "blank check" and support from US politicians.

According to him, an even bigger positive development is the fact that the antisemitism excuse can no longer be used as used to be the case. Additionally, many Jewish groups in the US have joined in condemning Israeli actions in Gaza.

He reiterated that the movement would need "significant electoral success" in the Senate and House before any real change could be observed since Israeli lobbies “all work in unison in different facets."

  • Congress
  • war on Gaza
  • US elections 2024
  • United States
  • Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
  • Ilhan Omar
  • Rachida Tlaib
  • Democratic Party
  • Democrats
  • US President Joe Biden
  • Joe Biden
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

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