Palestine

Biden, Democrats Face Pressure to Reject AIPAC Funds

MAR 12 2024·Updated MAR 13 2024

Story

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The Facts

The "Reject AIPAC" coalition, made up of a mix of politicians and organizations, has called on Pres. Joe Biden and Democratic Party officials to reject endorsements and donations from the pro-Israel American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and its affiliates.
English
The coalition, which includes left-wing political groups such as Justice Democrats and the Sunrise Movement, seeks to create an "electoral defense campaign" to support Democrats who have been criticized by AIPAC.
6abc Philadelphia
Launched Monday, the coalition intends to fight what it calls AIPAC's campaign to silence the "growing dissent in Congress" regarding Israel's war on Gaza. It also claims the AIPAC plans to deploy $100M to defeat calls for a cease-fire in Gaza.
Al Jazeera
AIPAC, which allegedly endorses both pro-Israel Republicans and Democrats, has reportedly donated tens of millions of dollars in the 2022 Democratic primaries and supported the campaign of Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) against Israel-critic Democratic Rep. Andy Levin.
ABC News
While Washington has shown overwhelming bipartisan support for Israel over many decades, several far-left lawmakers, including members of the progressive "Squad," have of late begun to voice their concerns against Israel's actions and influence on US politics.
Al Jazeera
The war in Gaza has reportedly caused a rift between the White House and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, as the two have publicly criticized each other over issues such as foreign aid and a potential cease-fire in Gaza.
BBC News

Sources Split

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RIGHT

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The Spin

Narrative A

After years of being bullied and excluded from the political table, individuals on the far-left are standing up for their right to speak freely. Funded by some of the world's wealthiest people, AIPAC and its affiliates have done everything possible to buy a pro-Israel consensus in Washington. However, the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza has caused a public uproar that can't be silenced by money. AIPAC plays both political parties but shuts the door on those who dare to question Israel's immoral actions — its stranglehold of the Democratic Party is coming to an end.

Intercept

Narrative B

Old-school Democrats like Biden are caught in the crosshairs of misled radicals in their party who have an irrational hatred of Israel. Anti-Zionism is gaining significant traction in the Democratic Party, and is emboldening antisemitic calls for the US to end its long-running support for Israel. Biden is caught between a rock and a hard place — the far-left has gone off the rails and its virulent anti-Israel message is causing division and fueling Hamas propaganda. The problem isn't with AIPAC or Israel; the problem is far-left, pro-Hamas Democrats.

Jewish News Syndicate (JNS)