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

Israeli Media: AIPAC to begin officially fundraising for politicians

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 17 Dec 2021 16:11
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

AIPAC establishes official political action groups in order to fundraise for bipartisan candidates to further increase its involvement in US politics.

  • x
  • Former US President Donald Trump speaking at the 2016 AIPAC Policy Conference
    Former US President Donald Trump speaking at the 2016 AIPAC Policy Conference

The American "Israel" Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) launched on Thursday a political action committee (PAC), which will funnel maximum donations of $5,000 to designated candidates per race, and a super PAC, which can raise unlimited money for a candidate. The regular PAC will be named AIPAC PAC, while the super PAC has not yet been named, according to The Times of "Israel".

The PAC in AIPAC doesn't stand for political action committee but for Public Affairs Committee. 

The establishment of these two PACs will offer AIPAC an opportunity to further strengthen the involvement of the Israeli lobby in US politics, according to its spokesperson Marshall Wittmann, who added that “the PACs will work in a bipartisan way.”

Change

One function of the PACs could be born from AIPAC's need to counter an impression that it is biased to Republicans, doing so by favoring Democrats close to the lobby, or launching bipartisan initiative.

This means change for the lobby that ever since its establishment has cultivated an image of being above domestic political issues. Its involvement will signal a more active role in US politics, albeit still geared toward anything perceived as damaging to Israeli interests.

Related News

Israeli media: Netanyahu gets 'cold shower' in Washington

'Israel' will confront Turkey militarily if necessary: Israeli media

This notwithstanding, AIPAC has become more combative on the domestic front in recent years, as progressive Democrats have grown more vocal in their criticism against the Israeli occupation. Two presidential candidates, Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, boycotted AIPAC’s annual policy conference in 2020.

AIPAC has also targeted critics of "Israel" in their online advertising, such as Representatives Ilhan Omar and Betty McCollum of Minnesota, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, not to mention Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, a Republican who consistently takes stances against assistance to the Israeli occupation.

AIPAC in a polarized environment

Announcing the new PACs, AIPAC made it clear that it could no longer maintain its façade of politesse in the polarized environment of the US political landscape, meaning that it will also grow more aggressive in its approach.

“The DC political environment has been undergoing profound change,” the statement said. “Hyperpartisanship, high congressional turnover and the exponential growth in the cost of campaigns now dominate the landscape.”

AIPAC's importance is not restricted to its role as one of the US' most powerful lobbying groups. There have been several incidents linking AIPAC's great influence to aid given to the Israeli occupation. AIPAC's former President David Steiner had boasted about his influence over the Clinton and Bush administration, going so far as to say that he was negotiating with then-President Clinton over who to appoint as Secretary of State, or securing $3 billion in aid for "Israel" during the Bush administration.

Some AIPAC members have previously been indicted for passing on classified information from the US to "Israel".

Understanding AIPAC's influence

As one former Congressman, Brian Baird, explained, when things were being voted on in Congress, "the question on the House floor, troublingly, is often not, 'What is the right thing to do for the United States of America?', but 'How is AIPAC going to score this?'"

According to an article from the New Yorker, dating back to 2014: "AIPAC has more than a hundred thousand members, a network of seventeen regional offices, and a vast pool of donors. The lobby does not raise funds directly. Its members do, and the amount of money they channel to political candidates is difficult to track. But everybody in Congress recognizes its influence in elections, and the effect is evident."

A shining example of AIPAC's influence could be seen in a unique event in 2011, when the Palestinians announced that they would petition the UN for statehood, AIPAC helped persuade four hundred and forty-six members of Congress to co-sponsor resolutions opposing the idea.

  • United States
  • Israeli Media
  • AIPAC
  • Israeli lobby

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