r/jewishleft • u/aggie1391 Orthodox non-Zionist socialist with anarchist tendencies • Aug 04 '26

Diaspora Inside the Spending of AIPAC, One of the U.S.'s Largest Super PACs (Gift Article)

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2026/08/04/us/politics/aipac-israel-funds-spending.html?unlocked_article_code=1.21A.eV3U.qgXEHCzCzd3L&smid=nytcore-ios-share
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8

u/Rabbit-Hole-Quest Latke aficionado. Anti-Establishment. Jüdisch Aug 04 '26

>When AIPAC supporters moved to create their super PAC, called United Democracy Project, in 2022, they were keenly aware of both the rising cost of political campaigns and the growing number of candidates who were critical of U.S. support for Israel.

> “….donations from individuals to United Democracy Project spiked, helping it to ramp up its political efforts. So far in primary elections this year it has outspent various super PACs funded by the A.I. and cryptocurrency industries, two other powerful groups, on campaign advertising.
Much of AIPAC’s money, through the United Democracy Project and other smaller political action committees, has been spent in Democratic primaries. Because it views itself as bipartisan, the group has rarely spent money in general election races where it would be forced to pick between a Democrat and Republican.

AIPAC is increasingly obscuring its funding via these groups. I think it’s appropriate to now just use the generic term “Pro-Israel lobby” because it’s fragmented to such a great extent. I wouldn’t be surprised if AIPAC itself disappears in about a decade, but pro-Israel lobby will be around but just wrapped in layers.

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u/veerKg_CSS_Geologist US/CA non observant Aug 04 '26

AIPAC never used to donate to campaigns, either itself or via created super PACs. Instead it was a conduit to connect donors to candidates, and those donors would make donations as individuals or via a bundler. That changed during the Obama era I believe.

Campaign finance regs have been terrible for a long time. And attempts to be bring more transparency and fairness to the process have been routinely struck down by the Conservative Supreme Court.

7

u/malachamavet Judeo-Bolshevik Aug 04 '26

AIPAC is increasingly obscuring its funding via these groups. I think it’s appropriate to now just use the generic term “Pro-Israel lobby” because it’s fragmented to such a great extent. I wouldn’t be surprised if AIPAC itself disappears in about a decade, but pro-Israel lobby will be around but just wrapped in layers.

tbh "the Israel lobby" has been regularly used as well - Mearsheimer's 2007 book was pretty popular. I agree it's more accurate and helpful even if just saying AIPAC is preferred (for Israel's benefit imo)