Biden Under Growing Pressure To Turn Down Pro-Israel Lobby Money Amid Gaza Crisis

Amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East and internal political challenges, a coalition of progressive organizations is taking a stand against the influence of the pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC in U.S. politics.

What Happened: A coalition of progressive organizations is pressuring President Joe Biden and other Democrats to refuse support from the pro-Israel group AIPAC and its super PACs, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

The “Reject AIPAC” coalition, which includes the Justice Democrats and the Democratic Socialists of America, is challenging the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s influence in the 2024 election cycle. AIPAC and its affiliated groups have already invested millions into the elections.

This movement within the Democratic Party is a response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the U.S.’s support for Israel, which has been a contentious issue affecting Biden’s standing in recent primaries. The coalition has been organizing for months to unite organizations against AIPAC’s perceived harmful impact, as stated by Ashik Siddique, co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America.

Furthermore, the coalition accuses AIPAC of taking funds from donors with Republican ties. Notably, top donors to the United Democracy Project, AIPAC’s super PAC, include entities like the Marcus Foundation and Elliott Investment Management, which have supported Republican interests, although they also have donors contributing to Democratic causes.

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President Biden, with a long history of support from the pro-Israel lobby, has received significant backing over his political career. AIPAC and the United Democracy Project have raised substantial amounts in the past year, with the latter spending heavily against certain Democratic candidates in recent primaries.

Why It Matters: The pressure on President Biden to distance himself from AIPAC comes at a critical time. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s potential invasion of Rafah in the Gaza Strip. Israel could cross Biden’s stated “red line” and further escalate Middle East tensions. Netanyahu’s stance has been met with international concern and could lead to significant Palestinian casualties.

An intelligence report suggests Netanyahu’s leadership may be in jeopardy. With growing distrust in Netanyahu’s ability to govern effectively, there is a possibility of widespread protests and calls for new elections in Israel.

Moreover, the U.S. military’s efforts to build a temporary pier in the Gaza Strip for humanitarian relief. This initiative aligns with President Biden’s commitment during his State of the Union speech to address the dire needs of Gaza’s residents.

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Photo by Adam Schultz