Matthew Levitt is an American political scientist. He is an expert in Hamas .
92-726: He serves as the Fromer-Wexler Fellow and director of the Jeanette and Eli Reinhard Program on Counterterrorism and Intelligence at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and an adjunct professor in Georgetown University 's Center for Security Studies (CSS). From 2005 to early 2007 he was a deputy assistant secretary for intelligence and analysis at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. In that capacity, he served both as
184-665: A Super PAC , which can spend money on behalf of candidates. In a letter explaining the move, Betsy Berns Korn, AIPAC president, said: "The DC political environment has been undergoing profound change. Hyperpartisanship, high congressional turnover and the exponential growth in the cost of campaigns now dominate the landscape." Dov Waxman, director of the UCLA Y&;S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies, said: "Although for decades AIPAC has had informal ties with pro-Israel PACs, it has always refrained from forming its own PAC." He added: "I think its decision to establish its own PAC and super PAC
276-660: A Super PAC , which can spend money on behalf of candidates. Its critics have stated it acts as an agent of the Israeli government with a "stranglehold" on the United States Congress with its power and influence. AIPAC has been accused of being strongly allied with the Likud party of Israel, and the Republican Party in the U.S. An AIPAC spokesman has called this a "malicious mischaracterization". AIPAC describes itself as
368-466: A University of Chicago political science professor, and Stephen Walt , academic dean at Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University , describe it as "part of the core" of the pro-Israeli lobby in the United States . Discussing the group in their book, The Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy , Mearsheimer and Walt write: Although WINEP plays down its links to Israel and claims that it provides
460-503: A 'balanced and realistic' perspective on Middle East issues, this is not the case. In fact, WINEP is funded and run by individuals who are deeply committed to advancing Israel's agenda ... Many of its personnel are genuine scholars or experienced former officials, but they are hardly neutral observers on most Middle East issues and there is little diversity of views within WINEP's ranks." In 2011 WINEP Executive Director Robert Satloff criticized
552-701: A bipartisan organization, and the bills for which it lobbies in Congress are always jointly sponsored by both a Democrat and Republican. AIPAC states that it has over 3 million members, 17 regional offices, and "a vast pool of donors". AIPAC's supporters claim its bipartisan nature can be seen at its yearly policy conference, which in 2016 included both major parties' nominees: Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump . AIPAC has been criticized as being unrepresentative of American Jews who support Israel, and supportive only of right-wing Israeli policy and viewpoints. Journalist and lawyer Isaiah L. Kenen founded
644-596: A challenge from Jessica Cisneros , a 28-year-old immigration lawyer also endorsed by the Squad. After Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch released a report accusing Israel of imposing apartheid, Cuellar said "[t]hese inaccuracies incite antisemitic behavior" and decried what he called "dangerous effects of falsified name-calling." AIPAC veteran Darius Jones founded the "National Black Empowerment Fund" (NBEAF), which contributed money to defeat pro-Palestinian black candidates like Jamaal Bowman , and Cori Bush . NBEAF
736-427: A discerning knowledge of history." Recipients have included former U.S. President Bill Clinton , former British Prime Minister Tony Blair , former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice , and former CIA directors Michael Hayden and George Tenet . Despite its pro-Israel tilt, the institute hosted former senior military officials from the U.S., Turkey, Iraq, and Jordan in the 2010s. M.J. Rosenberg criticized
828-608: A fraught debate" in American politics over whether AIPAC has too much influence over American policy in the Middle East, while highlighting the deterioration of some relationships between progressive Democrats and pro-Israel organizations. On March 6, 2019, the Democratic leadership put forth a resolution on the House floor condemning anti-Semitism, which was broadened to condemn bigotry against
920-640: A joint session of Congress or a State of the Union address." The New York Times has described AIPAC as "a major force in shaping United States policy in the Middle East" that is able to push numerous bills through Congress. "Typically," these "pass by unanimous votes." A House of Representatives resolution condemning the UN Goldstone Report on human rights violations by Israel in Gaza, for example, passed 344–36 in 2009. In 1997, Fortune magazine named AIPAC
1012-499: A mission affiliated with a particular ideology, as opposed to an advocacy think tank , which is staffed by individuals with strong ideological leanings. Academic think tanks focus on producing extensive research reports and books, whereas advocacy think tanks focus on marketing their ideas with condensed materials. Think tanks of all types typically also organize conferences, provide briefings to legislative committee staff, and testify as policy experts. The Washington Institute accesses
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#17330846084201104-672: A new headquarters on K Street in Washington, D.C. AIPAC spent $ 3.5 million on lobbying in 2018, a relatively large sum in the realm of foreign policy (more than 10 times J Street 's lobbying expenditure), but less than many industry lobby groups, according to OpenSecrets , with the top 15 such groups in the US all spending over $ 15 million. It has also been noted that, simple dollar value comparisons aside, AIPAC has "a somewhat unique model" that often begins donating early in careers of politicians with "long-term promise". AIPAC also commits to spending on
1196-830: A powerful organization during its peak influence in the 1980s. In 2002, AIPAC expressed intent to lobby Congress to authorize use of force in Iraq , and in 2003, the Iraq War was defended at AIPAC events. In 2005, a Pentagon analyst pleaded guilty to espionage charges of passing U.S. government secrets to senior AIPAC officials, in what became known as the AIPAC espionage scandal . Until 2021, AIPAC did not raise funds for political candidates itself; its members raised money for candidates through political action committees unaffiliated with AIPAC and by other means. In late 2021, AIPAC formed its own political action committee. It also announced plans for
1288-594: A senior official within the department's terrorism and financial intelligence branch and as deputy chief of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis. From 2001 to 2005, Levitt served the Institute as founding director of its Terrorism Research Program (now renamed as above), which was established in the wake of the September 11 attacks . Previously, he provided tactical and strategic analytical support for counter-terrorism operations at
1380-534: A separate organization with separate finances. In 1959, AZCPA was renamed the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, reflecting a broader membership and mission. Kenen led the organization until his retirement in 1974, when he was succeeded by Morris J. Amitay . According to commentator M.J. Rosenberg , Kenen was "an old-fashioned liberal," who did not seek to win support by donating to campaigns or otherwise influencing elections, but
1472-551: A similar, mid-1970s timeframe for the rise of AIPAC power: "It [the Jimmy Carter presidency] also coincides with the militant emergence of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as a major force in shaping American policy toward the Middle East." In 1980, Thomas Dine became the executive director of AIPAC, and developed its grassroots campaign. By the late 1980s, AIPAC's board of directors
1564-402: A variety of "less formal means of influence-peddling", such as luxury flights and accommodation for congress members. In addition to lobbying, AIPAC has affiliated political action committees which spend millions of dollars on political campaigns. Thomas Dine developed a network to reach every member of congress. American Jews, the "vital core" of AIPAC membership, made up less than 3% of
1656-488: A wide variety of groups before it passed on March 7. In August 2024, AIPAC's headquarters in Washington, D.C. were vandalized by anti-Israel activists. AIPAC's stated purpose is to lobby the Congress of the United States on issues and legislation related to Israel. AIPAC regularly meets with members of Congress and holds events where it can share its views. As of early 2019, AIPAC had 17 regional and satellite offices and
1748-475: Is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization that conducts educational programs, including educational trips to Israel for members of the U.S. Congress and other American politicians. AIEF trips for members of Congress occur every two years, becoming "the top spender on congressional travel" in those years. In August 2019, the foundation sponsored week-long trips with 72 members of Congress: 41 Democrats and 31 Republicans. They traveled to Israel and
1840-533: Is a pro- Israel lobbying group that advocates its policies to the legislative and executive branches of the United States. One of several pro-Israel lobbying organizations in the country , it has been called one of its most powerful lobbying groups. AIPAC was founded in 1954 by Isaiah L. Kenen , a lobbyist for the Israeli government, partly to counter negative international reactions to Israel's Qibya massacre of Palestinian villagers that year. AIPAC only became
1932-613: Is a pro-Israel American think tank based in Washington, D.C. , focused on the foreign policy of the United States in the Near East . WINEP was established in 1985 with the support of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and the funding of many AIPAC donors, in order to provide higher quality research than AIPAC's own publications. John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt described WINEP as "part of
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#17330846084202024-559: Is also a frequent guest on the national and international media, and the author of several books and monographs. Levitt was an expert witness during eight trials against terrorism suspects between 2004 and 2008, including the 2005 trial of Mohammed Ali Hassan Al-Moayad , Sami Al-Arian , and the Holy Land Foundation . Washington Institute for Near East Policy The Washington Institute for Near East Policy ( WINEP ), also known simply as The Washington Institute ( TWI ),
2116-500: Is based on the recognition that campaign funding is a crucial means of exerting political influence in Congress, and that AIPAC now needs this tool in order to maintain its influence in Congress." Former AIPAC executive director Tom Dine and legislative director Douglas Bloomfield criticized the move, saying it could call the organization's neutrality into question. In March 2022, the PAC released its first endorsements of 130 candidates for
2208-461: Is known as the AIPAC espionage scandal . Rosen and Weissman were later fired by AIPAC. In 2009, charges against the former AIPAC employees were dropped. In February 2019, freshman U.S. representative Ilhan Omar (D- Minnesota ), one of the first two Muslim women (along with Rashida Tlaib ) to serve in Congress, tweeted that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy 's (R-California) support for Israel
2300-412: Is led by Richard St. Paul, a member of AIPAC's National Council. Some black organizations argue NBEAF advocates for Israel, not black people. J Street spokesperson Logan Bayroff, has called AIPAC "a Republican front organisation", a fact that he said they are obfuscating while "trying to persuade Democratic voters who they should support". He added: "The United Democracy Project sounds innocuous ... but
2392-475: Is that the primary incentive P5+1 negotiators can give Iran to stop its nuclear program is reduction in the sanctions that have harmed Iran's economy. By imposing even harsher sanctions on Iran, AIPAC takes this chip away. According to a "senior" Obama Administration official, the administration told AIPAC leadership that its tougher sanctions on Iran "would blow up the negotiations—the Iranians would walk away from
2484-548: The Congressional Research Service (CRS), these include providing aid "as all grant cash transfers, not designated for particular projects, and...transferred as a lump sum in the first month of the fiscal year, instead of in periodic increments. Israel is allowed to spend about one quarter of the military aid for the procurement in Israel of defense articles and services, including research and development, rather than in
2576-681: The FBI , focusing on fundraising and logistical support networks for Middle Eastern terrorist groups. During his FBI service, Levitt participated as a team member in a number of crisis situations, including the terrorist threat surrounding the turn of the millennium and the September 11 attacks. Levitt has also lectured on international terrorism on behalf of the Departments of State , Justice , Defense , and Homeland Security , consulted for various U.S. government agencies and private industry, and testified before
2668-556: The House Committee on Appropriations ' Foreign Operations subcommittee and requested that Israel receive $ 2.775 billion in military aid in fiscal year 2010, as called for in the 2007 Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and Israel that allocates $ 30 billion in aid for Israel over 10 years. Kohr stated that "American assistance to Israel serves vital U.S. national security interests and advances critical U.S. foreign policy goals." The military hardware Israel must purchase to face
2760-526: The Maimonides School . Levitt has written extensively on terrorism, countering violent extremism, illicit finance and sanctions, the Middle East, and Arab-Israeli peace negotiations, with articles appearing in peer-reviewed journals, policy magazines, and the press, including the Wall Street Journal , Washington Post , Foreign Affairs , Foreign Policy , and numerous other publications. He
2852-607: The Maryland Association for Concerned Citizens near Baltimore . The Washington Post states that "its Web site, which details how members of Congress voted on AIPAC's key issues, and the AIPAC Insider , a glossy periodical that handicaps close political races, are scrutinized by thousands of potential donors. Pro-Israel interests have contributed $ 56.8 million in individual, group, and soft money donations to federal candidates and party committees since 1990, according to
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2944-750: The National Security Council and assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs. Indyk is currently vice president and director of the Foreign Policy Program at the Brookings Institution . In addition to ongoing research, TWI has provided in-depth analysis at key inflection points in Middle East policy, such as during presidential election years. Beginning in 1988, the institute convened bipartisan Presidential Study Groups that have offered policy papers for incoming administrations of either party. The inaugural PSG document informed
3036-541: The New York Times ' identification of the organization as pro-Israel, saying the moniker "projects two false impressions—first, that the institute does not value American interests above special pleading for a foreign power and second, that the institute must be 'anti' others in the region (Palestinians, Arabs)." In a 2014 study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania 's Lauder Institute , of all think tanks worldwide,
3128-648: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a supporter of a deal to allow Saudi Arabia to buy sophisticated airborne early warning and control (AWAC) military planes was defeated by Democrat Paul Simon . Simon was asked by Robert Asher, an AIPAC board member in Chicago, to run against Percy. In 2005, Lawrence Franklin, a Pentagon analyst pleaded guilty to espionage charges of passing U.S. government secrets to AIPAC policy director Steve J. Rosen and AIPAC senior Iran analyst Keith Weissman, in what
3220-661: The United States government , its European allies, Russia, and China. In 2012, AIPAC called for "crippling" sanctions on Iran in a letter to every member of Congress. In line with this approach, AIPAC has lobbied to levy economic embargoes and increase sanctions on Iran (known as the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2013). However, according to The New York Times , its effort "stalled after stiff resistance from President Obama." On agriculture and agricultural trade AIPAC lobbies for greater cooperation between
3312-899: The West Bank and visited with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas . Other educational activities include regular seminars for congressional staff. Critics alleges that these trips are propaganda rather than education and do not tell the Palestinian "side of the story," and that they violate ethics rules prohibiting lobbying groups from gifting personal travel to congresspersons. Until 2021 AIPAC did not raise funds for political candidates itself, but its members raise money for candidates through political action committees unaffiliated with AIPAC and by other means. In late 2021, AIPAC formed its own political action committee. It also announced plans for
3404-535: The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), founded in 1959 and by the 1970s by far the most well-funded, visible, and effective pro-Israel lobbying organization. Indyk and his colleagues at WINEP worked hard to strengthen Israel's standing in Washington as the key U.S. ally in the Middle East and to ensure that U.S. policy in the region coincided with the policies and strategies of the Israeli government "The Israeli Lobby". Journal of Palestine Studies . 35 (3). University of California Press on behalf of
3496-629: The American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs (AZCPA) as a lobbying division of the American Zionist Council (AZC), and they split in 1954. Kenen, a lobbyist for the Israeli government, had at earlier times worked for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs . As a lobbyist, Kenen diverged from AZC's usual public relations efforts by trying to broaden support for Israel among traditionally non-Zionist groups. The founding of
3588-647: The Elephant in the Room: Robert Lieberman and the Israel Lobby" . Perspectives on Politics . 7 (2). [American Political Science Association, Cambridge University Press]: 262. doi : 10.1017/S1537592709090781 . JSTOR 40406929 . S2CID 7758818 . Archived from the original on 2022-08-13 . Retrieved 2022-08-13 . Similarly, when Martin Indyk - formerly deputy director of research at AIPAC and co-founder of
3680-716: The House of Representatives and the Senate. The list included 37 Congresspersons of the Sedition Caucus who had voted to overturn the 2020 election of Joe Biden. The endorsement drew criticism from a variety of sources. Former U.S. ambassador to Israel Daniel C. Kurtzer said it was "very disappointing that AIPAC has turned a blind eye to the damage that these people have done to our democracy. Their support of Israel cannot ever trump that damage." Conservative pro-Israel columnist Jennifer Rubin called it "truly horrifying". AIPAC's push into
3772-527: The Institute for Palestine Studies: 92. 2006-04-01. doi : 10.1525/jps.2006.35.3.83 . During the Clinton administration, Middle Eastern policy was largely shaped by officials with close ties to Israel or to prominent pro-Israel organizations; among them, Martin Indyk, the former deputy director of research at AIPAC and co-founder of the pro-Israel Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP) Mearsheimer, John J.; Walt, Stephen M. (2009). "The Blind Man and
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3864-508: The Iraq War, some in the pro-Israel community had seen the war as aligning the United States and Israel against Arab and Muslim radicalism. However, by the time of the 2007 AIPAC annual policy conference, continuing violence in Iraq had undermined that view, and at a conference session, the war was blamed for an increase in global terrorism. AIPAC's official position on Iran is to encourage a strong diplomatic and economic response coordinated among
3956-507: The Israeli government, officially had no position on the merits of going to war with Iraq, Bush administration officials were applauded at AIPAC events for defending the Iraq War . Jeffrey Goldberg reported in The New Yorker that AIPAC had lobbied Congress in favor of the war, but that Iraq was not one of its chief concerns. J. The Jewish News of Northern California explained that while AIPAC never explicitly supported or lobbied for
4048-427: The Middle East. While the institute frequently hosts off-the-record events with policymakers and scholars, its policy forums are public events featuring newsmakers and analysts that are attended by officials and journalists and are broadcast live on-line. The institute also holds an annual policy conference that convenes policymakers, journalists and diplomats in Washington, D.C., for in-depth discussion and debate on
4140-601: The Muslims", and describing it as the "most important Zionist propaganda tool in the United States." In response, Martin Kramer , the editor of the Middle East Quarterly and a visiting fellow at WINEP, defended the group, saying that it is "run by Americans, and accepts funds only from American sources," and that it was "outrageous" for Khalidi to denounce Arabs that visited WINEP as "blundering dupes." John Mearsheimer ,
4232-627: The Pennsylvania Democratic congressional primary race in Pennsylvania. Lee has supported setting conditions for US aid to Israel and accused the country of atrocities in Gaza, comparing Israeli actions to the treatment of young black men in the U.S. The UDP also spent $ 2m in a North Carolina senate primary to support the incumbent Valeria Foushee against Nida Allam , the first Muslim American woman to hold elected office in North Carolina and
4324-665: The Senate and House on matters relating to international terrorism. He is a term member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a member of the international advisory board for both the Institute for Counter-terrorism in Israel and the International Centre for Political Violence & Terrorism Research in Singapore, and a CTC fellow with the Combating Terrorism Center (CTC) at the U.S. Military Academy (West Point). He serves on
4416-666: The Trump presidency," according to The Economist . The magazine reported that Saudi authorities asked Khashoggi to stop writing after the institute appearance but the journalist chose to live in exile instead. He was assassinated in Istanbul in 2018 while visiting the Saudi consulate. The Washington Institute is considered an academic think tank (akin to the Brookings Institution and Public Policy Institute of California ), staffed largely by researchers holding doctorate degrees and generally not having
4508-698: The U.S. population and was concentrated in only nine states. Today, thousands of AIPAC supporters gather at AIPAC's annual Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. every year. Donors and VIPs are invited to the Leadership Reception on the final night of the conference, which hosts hundreds of members of Congress. AIPAC has created "caucuses" in every congressional district , with AIPAC staffers organizing every district's Jewish community, regardless of size. Campaign contributions were bundled and distributed to candidates in congressional districts and where they would do some good. According to journalist Connie Bruck, by
4600-808: The United States." In 2016, nearly 20,000 delegates attended the AIPAC Policy Conference; approximately 4,000 of those delegates were American students. For the first time in AIPAC's history, the general sessions of Policy Conference were held in Washington, D.C. 's Verizon Center in order to accommodate the large number of delegates. Keynote speakers included Vice President Joe Biden , former secretary of state Hillary Clinton , Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump , Governor John Kasich , Senator Ted Cruz , and Speaker Paul Ryan . Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu , who has spoken at AIPAC before in person, addressed Policy Conference via satellite on
4692-476: The Washington Institute for Near East Policy ( WINEP), founded in 1985, quickly achieved a much higher profile and much greater influence. Describing itself as "a public educational foundation dedicated to scholarly research and informed debate on U.S. interests in the Middle East,"9 WINEP emerged as the leading pro-Israel think tank in Washington. Its founding director, Martin Indyk, had previously worked at
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#17330846084204784-408: The Washington Institute was ranked 42nd on "Best Transdisciplinary Research Program at a Think Tank" and 42nd on "Think Tanks with Outstanding Policy-Oriented Public Programs". Several current and former members of WINEP have served in senior positions in the administrations of presidents George H. W. Bush , Bill Clinton , George W. Bush , Barack Obama and Donald Trump. As of October 2024,
4876-485: The Washington Institute's advisory board included: Previous board members Breger, Marshall (2002). Mittleman, Alan; Licht, Robert; Sarna, Jonathan D (eds.). Jews and the American Public Square: Debating Religion and Republic . G - Reference, Information and Interdisciplinary Subjects Series. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 164. ISBN 978-0-7425-2124-7 . Archived from
4968-710: The advisory board of Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Center on Sanctions and Illicit Finance (CSIF) and formerly served on the academic advisory board for the Emirati Center for Strategic Studies and Research (ECSSR). Levitt was a graduate research fellow at Harvard Law School's Program on Negotiation and previously taught at Johns Hopkins University 's Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences . Levitt received his B.A. from Yeshiva University and his M.A. and Ph.D. from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University . He attended high school at
5060-451: The core" of the Israel lobby in the United States . WINEP was founded in 1985 by Barbi Weinberg of Los Angeles, CA. Martin Indyk , an Australian-trained academic and former deputy director of research for AIPAC, was the first executive director. Indyk described the think tank as "friendly to Israel but doing credible research on the Middle East in a realistic and balanced way." The research
5152-617: The end of the 1980s, there were "dozens" of political action committees with no formal relation to AIPAC, but whose leader was often an AIPAC member. The Wall Street Journal reports that in 1987 at least 51 of 80 pro-Israel PACs were operated by AIPAC officials. Some committees that "operate independently" of AIPAC but "whose missions and membership align" with it include the Florida Congressional Committee, NORPAC in New Jersey , To Protect Our Heritage PAC near Chicago , and
5244-466: The final day of the conference. Senator Bernie Sanders chose not to attend the conference. Howard Kohr has been the CEO of AIPAC since 1996, nearly half of its existence, serving with most of its presidents. AIPAC has a wide base of supporters both in and outside of Congress. The American Israel Education Foundation is a sister organization of AIPAC, that handles educational work, rather than lobbying. It
5336-455: The floor to vote on a resolution they've never read, about a report they've never seen, in a place they've never been. ' " Baird worries that AIPAC members and supporters believe that they're "supporting Israel" when they are "actually backing policies" such as the killing of civilians in Gaza, "that are antithetical to its highest values and, ultimately, destructive for the country." A criticism of AIPAC's proposal for tougher sanctions on Iran
5428-724: The former Saudi intelligence chief, Prince Turki bin Faisal al Saud , alongside IDF Maj. Gen. (res.) Yaakov Amidror , a former national security adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , in a rare joint public appearance. Two years later, Dr. Mohammad Al-Issa, secretary-general of the Muslim World League , addressed the institute and advocated a more moderate and tolerant Islam. Dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi participated in an institute forum in November 2016 in which he stated that Saudi Arabia should be "rightfully nervous about
5520-581: The increased threat of terrorism and Islamist radicalism is increasingly expensive due to the recent spike in petroleum prices which have enabled countries such as Iran to augment their military budgets, according to Kohr. The day after George W. Bush addressed the United Nations General Assembly to call for action against Iraq , AIPAC said to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that "[i]f the president asks Congress to support action in Iraq, AIPAC would lobby members of Congress to support him." John Judis wrote in The New Republic that although AIPAC lobbying
5612-427: The key Middle East issues facing the United States. Institute scholars are public intellectuals who share their analysis frequently in major print and broadcast outlets. All institute output is available through its website in both English and Arabic. In addition to its permanent resident fellows—a group of experienced policymakers from government and academia—the institute also hosts visiting fellows from around
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#17330846084205704-518: The late 1980s. Whereas Kenen had come out of the Zionist movement , with early staff pulled from the longtime activists among the Jewish community, AIPAC had evolved into a prototypical Washington-based lobbying and consulting firm. Leaders and staffers were recruited from legislative staff and lobbyists with direct experience with the federal bureaucracy. Confronted with opposition from both houses of Congress, United States President Gerald Ford rescinded his ' reassessment .'" George Lenczowski notes
5796-417: The new organization was in part a response to the negative international reaction to the October 1953 Qibya massacre , in which Israeli troops under Ariel Sharon killed at least sixty-nine Palestinian villagers, two-thirds of them women and children. As the Eisenhower administration suspected the AZC of being funded by the government of Israel, it was decided that the lobbying efforts should be separated into
5888-534: The non-partisan OpenSecrets . Between the 2000 and the 2004 elections, the 50 members of AIPAC's board donated an average of $ 72,000 each to campaigns and political action committees." According to Dine, in the 1980s and 1990s contributions from AIPAC members often constituted "roughly 10 to 15% of a typical congressional campaign budget." AIPAC influences lawmakers in other ways by: AIPAC has supported loyal incumbents (such as Senator Lowell P. Weicker Jr. , R- Connecticut ) even when opposed by Jewish candidates, and
5980-443: The organization has worked to unseat pro-Palestinian incumbents (such as Representative Paul Findley ) or candidates perceived to be unsympathetic to Israel (Senator Charles H. Percy ). However, a Jewish member of Congress, Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois), who had maintained good relations with AIPAC and had been given campaign contributions by its members, was opposed by the group in her 2010 reelection campaign after she
6072-404: The organization on Al Jazeera for having strong ties to the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC and for being founded by a former AIPAC employee. In a December 2003 interview on Al Jazeera , Rashid Khalidi , a Palestinian-American professor and director of Columbia University 's Middle East Institute , sharply criticized WINEP, stating that it is "the fiercest of the enemies of the Arabs and
6164-563: The original on 2022-08-13 . Retrieved 2022-08-13 . For example, Martin Indyk who had worked for AIPAC and was the head of Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a think tank with close connections to Israel, played an important role in formulating US policy toward the Middle East in the 1990s 38°54′13″N 77°02′35″W / 38.9037°N 77.043°W / 38.9037; -77.043 American Israel Public Affairs Committee The American Israel Public Affairs Committee ( AIPAC , / ˈ eɪ p æ k / AY -pak )
6256-495: The original on 2023-12-06 . Retrieved 2022-08-12 . Dennis Ross, from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP), a pro-Israel think tank closely aligned with AIPAC Lockman, Zachary (2005). "Critique from the Right: The Neo-conservative Assault on Middle East Studies". CR: The New Centennial Review . 5 (1). Michigan State University Press: 81–82. doi : 10.1353/ncr.2005.0034 . ISSN 1539-6630 . JSTOR 41949468 . S2CID 145071422 . By contrast,
6348-423: The original on 2023-12-06 . Retrieved 2022-08-12 . as the then newly founded Washington Institute for Near East Policy. This organization, a pro-Israel think tank, was itself a spin-off of AIPAC Marrar, K. (2008). The Arab Lobby and US Foreign Policy: The Two-State Solution . Routledge Research in American Politics and Governance. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-135-97071-0 . Archived from
6440-653: The original on 2023-12-06 . Retrieved 2022-08-13 . founded in 1985 as a pro-Israel but not specifically Jewish think tank. "Israel Captures 2 Palestinians Suspected in Deadly Ax Attack" . The New York Times . 2022-05-08. Archived from the original on 2022-08-11 . Retrieved 2022-08-12 . Ehud Yaari, an Israel-based analyst for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, a pro-Israel think tank. Weiss, T.G.; Crahan, M.E.; Goering, J.; Goering, J.M.; Robinson, M. (2004). Wars on Terrorism and Iraq: Human Rights, Unilateralism, and U.S. Foreign Policy . Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-70062-7 . Archived from
6532-540: The other way: a four-hundred-thousand-dollar swing." AIPAC-directed campaign contributions—as with many interest groups—came with considerable "tactical input". AIPAC staffers told Baird and other lawmakers, "No, we don't say it that way, we say it this way." Baird complained, "There's a whole complex semantic code you learn. ... After a while, you find yourself saying and repeating it as if it were fact." AIPAC strongly supports substantial U.S. aid to Israel . In March 2009, AIPAC executive director Howard Kohr appeared before
6624-563: The policy of the George H. W. Bush administration toward the Middle East peace process. The institute has earned a reputation for solid scholarship, is committed to the peace process , and is a "staunch supporter of Israel" — a relationship with which it believes advances U.S. security interests. It has bipartisan support in the US, though it is closer ideologically to the Democratic Party and generally opposes neoconservative policy. After
6716-510: The policy process from many angles: the written word, the spoken word, and personal contact. Institute experts research the region and brief officials in all branches of the U.S. government, both civilian and military. In addition to producing printed long-form monographs, the institute issues time-sensitive policy briefs which are distributed electronically by e-mail and social media. A Chicago Tribune editorial declared that institute-sponsored polls bring to light trends in popular thinking across
6808-460: The political campaign support comes amid the erosion of bipartisan support for Israel in the US, with opinion polls showing growing criticism for the state among younger Democrats, including American Jews, the breaking of the taboo on comparisons between Israel's treatment of Palestinians and apartheid South Africa, and rising support for the Boycott, Sanctions and Divest (BDS) movement. In May 2022, it
6900-400: The political director for the 2016 presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders . Both candidates are endorsed by the squad. UDP spent an estimated $ 280,000 to support incumbent Ohio's 11th Congressional District incumbent Shontel Brown over her primary challenger, progressive Nina Turner . The UDP spent a further $ 1.2m to help the Democratic congressman for Texas, Henry Cuellar , face off
6992-559: The pro-Israel Washington Institute of Near East Policy - is appointed one of Bill Clinton's key Middle East advisors, it strains credulity to exclude him from the "loose coalition" that "actively works" to promote the "special relationship." Rynhold, Jonathan (2010). "Is the Pro-Israel Lobby a Block on Reaching a Comprehensive Peace Settlement in the Middle East?" . Israel Studies Forum . 25 (1). Berghahn Books: 31. ISSN 1557-2455 . JSTOR 41805052 . Archived from
7084-454: The process of Washington policymaking. The institute also supports a program for research assistants and interns that provides foreign policy experience for undergraduates and recent college graduates. Several institute alumni now hold positions in the government, military, and academia internationally. The institute's Scholar-Statesman Award honors individuals "whose public service and professional achievements exemplify sound scholarship and
7176-771: The reason that they’re aligning with certain candidates is because they are more aligned with their more hawkish positions on Israel". In mid-March 2024, with reports of AIPAC and UDP planning to spend $ 100M to primary incumbent progressive House Democrats, opponents formed the Reject AIPAC coalition "to protect democracy & Palestinian rights". Founding members include: Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) , Gen-Z for Change , IfNotNow , Justice Democrats , National Iranian American Council , Our Revolution , Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), RootsAction , Sunrise Movement , Working Families Party . One critic, former congressman Brian Baird , who "had admired Israel since I
7268-728: The rise of Islamic politics." It was during the Gulf War that the institute gained public recognition as a source for commentary and analysis. By 1992, it had a staff of 12–15 in-house research fellows, in addition to visiting scholars and support staff. Under Indyk's leadership, the institute gained notability as a center for the study and discussion of Middle East policy, and attracted Arab intellectuals to its events. Indyk would go on to serve in several U.S. diplomatic posts including U.S. ambassador to Israel, special envoy for Israeli–Palestinian negotiations, special assistant to President Clinton and senior director for Near East and South Asian affairs at
7360-462: The scenes since its founding in 1953, AIPAC only became a powerful organization in the 15 years after the Yom Kippur War in 1973. By the mid-70s, AIPAC had achieved the financial and political clout necessary to sway congressional opinion, according to historian Michael Oren . During this period, AIPAC's budget soared from $ 300,000 in 1973 to over $ 7 million during its peak years of influence in
7452-636: The second-most powerful influence group in Washington, D.C. AIPAC advises members of Congress about the issues that face today's Middle East, including the dangers of extremism and terrorism. It was an early supporter of the Counter-Terrorism Act of 1995, which resulted in increased FBI resources being committed to fight terrorism. AIPAC also lobbies for financial aid from the United States to Israel, helping to procure up to $ 3 billion in aid yearly, making Israel "the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign assistance since World War II." According to
7544-532: The takeover of areas of Iraq by the Sunni militant group Daesh (ISIL) in 2014, The New York Times reported that Institute Lafer Fellow Michael Knights had alerted the U.S. National Security Council as early as 2012 to the rising level of insurgency among Iraq's Sunni minority. White House officials questioned his statistics and did not take action. The institute has been a forum for the discussion of key issues in U.S. policy toward Saudi Arabia. In May 2016, it hosted
7636-431: The two countries. AIPAC considers agriculture to be a key economic sector for economic cooperation between them. AIPAC has been compared to firearms, banking, defense, and energy lobbies as "long" being "a feature of politics in Washington." Its promotional literature notes that the Leadership Reception during its annual Policy Conference "will be attended by more members of Congress than almost any other event, except for
7728-454: The world. Visiting fellows include both young people beginning their foreign policy careers and veterans who take advantage of a year in Washington, D.C., to study the Middle East from an American vantage point. In cooperation with the Army, Navy, Air Force, and State Department, WINEP offers one-year fellowships that enable rising officers to immerse themselves in the geopolitics of the Middle East and
7820-524: Was "all about the Benjamins " (i.e. about money]]). The next day, she clarified that she meant AIPAC. Omar later apologized but also made another statement attacking "political influence in this country that says it is okay to push for allegiance to a foreign country.” The statements aroused anger among AIPAC supporters, but also vocal support among the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and "revived
7912-683: Was "dominated" by four successful businessmen—Mayer (Bubba) Mitchell, Edward Levy, Robert Asher, and Larry Weinberg . AIPAC scored two major victories in the early 1980s that established its image among political candidates as an organization "not to be trifled with" and set the pace for "a staunchly pro-Israel" Congress over the next three decades. In 1982, activists affiliated with AIPAC in Skokie, Illinois , backed Richard J. Durbin to oust U.S. representative Paul Findley ( R - Illinois ), who had shown enthusiasm for PLO leader Yasir Arafat . In 1984, Senator Charles H. Percy (R-Illinois), then-chairman of
8004-478: Was a kid," but became alienated from AIPAC, argued that "When key votes are cast, 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? ' " He cited a 2009 House resolution he opposed condemning the Goldstone Report on civilian deaths. "When we had the vote, I said, 'We have member after member coming to
8096-518: Was also revealed that AIPAC has been spending millions, channeled through surrogate group, the United Democracy Project (UDP), which makes no mention of its creation by AIPAC, to defeat progressive Democrats and particularly female candidates who might potentially align with " the Squad " of progressive Congress members made up of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib . The UDP spent $ 2.3m in opposition to Summer Lee in
8188-454: Was endorsed by the advocacy group J Street . According to former representative Brian Baird (D- Washington ), "Any member of Congress knows that AIPAC is associated indirectly with significant amounts of campaign spending if you're with them, and significant amounts against you if you're not with them." "AIPAC-connected money" amounted to about $ 200,000 in each of his campaigns for office—"and that's two hundred thousand going your way, versus
8280-467: Was not widely reported to prevent Arab states from connecting Bush's war plans to Israel, executive director Kohr called " 'quietly' lobbying Congress to approve the use of force in Iraq " one of AIPAC's successes at a January 2003 AIPAC meeting. AIPAC spokesman Josh Block told The New Republic that AIPAC did no lobbying and that Kohr was misquoted. In articles for The Washington Post , both Dana Milbank and Glenn Frankel noted that while AIPAC, like
8372-523: Was thus designed to be more independent and academic-quality. At the time it was founded, the institute's research focused on Arab–Israeli relations, political and security issues, and overall U.S. Middle East policy. In the 1990s, prompted by the collapse of the Soviet Union , the Persian Gulf War , and changes in regional strategy, the institute expanded its research agenda to "focus on Turkey and
8464-680: Was willing to "play with the hand that is dealt to us." By the 1970s, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and AIPAC had assumed overall responsibility for Israel-related lobbying within the Jewish communal landscape . The Conference of Presidents was responsible for speaking to the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, while AIPAC dealt mainly with the Legislative Branch . Although it had worked effectively behind
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