The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, is an American pro-Israel lobby group based in Washington D.C. A self-described grassroots movement of Israel supporters, AIPAC aims to support Israel by ensuring America’s backing and works closely with Democrats and Republics in drafting measures and bills of support.
For over 50 years AIPAC has been working with members of Congress and the Senate to draft resolution in support of Israel and to ensure American support of Israel stays strong in the face of threats against the Jewish State.
In addition to lobbying for increased assistance for Israel, AIPAC also pursues policies on important issues such as the Iran nuclear threat and advancing peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Boasting a membership over 100,000 supporters, each year AIPAC organizes a policy conference that includes students and members of Congress, as well as leaders from Europe and Israel. Over the years AIPAC has been involved with over 100 legislative and political initiatives concerning Middle East policy or aiming to broaden U.S.- Israel relations.
AIPAC’s activities also aim to keep Israel strong in the face of what it calls growing existential threats. It promotes anti-terrorism cooperation between Israel and the U.S., as well as intelligence and homeland security cooperation, and is increasingly in favor of a strong line over Iran's efforts to acquire nuclear weapons.
The lobby also works closely with American political candidates to educate them on issues pertaining to Israel and the Middle East, and encourages them to take a proactive approach towards issues regarding Israel’s security needs, and promoting legislation that will help Israel continue its fight against terrorism.
In recent years, AIPAC has been accused of lobbying to the detriment of Israel on matters including the treatment of Palestinians and recent wars between Israel and armed militants. It has also been attacked by anti-Semitic and anti-Israel groups as a Zionist lobbying force that controls all U.S. policies regarding the Middle East and the Arab-Israeli conflict.
American politicians, AIPAC itself and most pro-Israel groups reject these claims, although there has been more moderate criticism that the lobby has adopted a right-wing line, which the new pro-Israel group JStreet says it is seeking counter with its own more centrist, pro-peace stance.
Just as Trump normalized the Proud Boys, Bibi is normalizing the neo-fascist Kahanists and their anti-Arab hate. But instead of outrage from AIPAC and U.S. Jewish groups, there's apologetics, or silence
Two years ago, AIPAC and AJC howled at Netanyahu’s alliance with neo-Kahanists. This time, though, no comment. American Jews ‘won’t be particularly shocked or outraged by anything he does at this point,’ says Israel Studies expert Dov Waxman
Democratic veterans Nita Lowey and Eliot Engel were favorites of AIPAC and staunch opponents of the Iran deal
Douglas Macgregor, one of several Trump loyalists recently installed at the Pentagon, says the pro-Israeli lobby in the United States is trying to drag America into war
In his new book, Obama, who had a famously tense relationship with Netanyahu, writes that the PM is a 'smart, canny, tough and a gifted communicator,' according to a copy obtained by Jewish Insider
It appears Trump’s attempts to portray himself as the most ‘pro-Israel’ president in U.S. history made little to no impression on the vast majority of American Jews
The polarization and division of the Trump era created two separate Jewish power structures that alternate when the administration changes hands
Two new documentaries, 'Kings of Capitol Hill' and 'Til Kingdom Come,' offer a fascinating snapshot of the past, present and future of pro-Israel lobby groups in Washington
How do you safeguard Israelis who want to visit sites located a stone’s throw from Iran? Can Israeli security personnel carry arms? And, of course, what about annexation?
The fears are understandable, but misplaced. Normalization with Gulf states hurts Iran, and strengthens Israel's defense far more than any plane
Alex Morse is hoping to unseat Rep. Richard Neal Tuesday and emulate recent progressive triumphs over long-standing Democratic lawmakers Eliot Engel and William Lacy Clay Jr.
The way things are going, the Israeli prime minister might prefer Biden over the current occupant of the White House
White House officials say Oman, Bahrain are next to normalize relations with Israel ■ Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden calls agreement 'brave and badly-needed' while warning Israel against annexation
The victories of Jamaal Bowman, Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush and Ilhan Omar are worrying for groups like AIPAC, the Democratic Majority for Israel and their allies
As a result of support from pro-Israel organizations, Antone Melton-Meaux has significantly out-raised Omar ahead of Tuesday’s primary vote
Former generals, intelligence chiefs salute efforts to support 'the kind of Israel we have fought for on the battlefield,' as annexation process remains stalled
'Apartheid' letter drafted by Ocasio-Cortez, warning of the consequences of Israel's plans to annex parts of the West Bank, was condemned by AIPAC
Organization lobbying Congress against letter calling for conditions to be placed on U.S. military aid to Israel if it unilaterally annexes parts of the West Bank
Having argued for decades in favor of a two-state solution and no unilateral moves, AIPAC, ADL and AJC are facing a potential Israeli move that could scupper both of those claims
Amid an uncertain Israeli annexation of the West Bank, 16-term, pro-Israel Representative Eliot Engel faces potential unseating by a progressive newcomer
An AIPAC spokesperson said that the letter 'fails to reaffirm America's full commitment to Israel's security assistance'
With an endorsement from Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Chuck Schumer still on the fence, Jamaal Bowman may oust 16-term Eliot Engel from New York’s 16th Congressional District, dealing AIPAC a serious blow
With Netanyahu's annexation deadline looming, AIPAC faces a thorny question: Does it support Israel’s leadership at all costs, or does it draw a line on actions it believes endangers the Jewish state’s future?
The pro-Israel lobby's last conference in March attracted 18,000 attendees, several of whom contracted the coronavirus
Annexing the West Bank punctures useful delusions about Israel and Zionism which have, until now, kept together otherwise fractious Diaspora Jewish communities – and their proudly 'big tent' organizations
Document calling for extending UN embargo on Iran draws support of the fierce critic of the pro-Israeli lobby, along with more than 390 other lawmakers
'The Democratic Party has officially become an anti-Israeli party,' right-wing pundit Caroline Glick writes on Twitter after former vice president accepts backing from leading left-wing Jewish group
'All of us in the pro-Israel, pro-peace community know that the path to a better future begins with defeating Donald Trump at the polls,' J Street president Jeremy Ben Ami says
Marie Newman - who was supported by Sanders, Warren and AOC - managed to oust incumbent Dan Lipinski and supports conditioning aid to Israel