According to recent reports, it has been suggested that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is currently in the process of organizing a substantial budget allocation, estimated to be approximately $100 million, with the intention of supporting primary challenges against certain lawmakers of the U.S. Congress who are collectively referred to as “The Squad.”
The Squad, a cohort of legislators who advocate for socialist progressive policies, comprises prominent individuals such as Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), among other famous members.
Based on available data, it has been indicated that AIPAC, a highly prominent pro-Israel lobbying organization in the United States, is making preparations to allocate substantial resources towards primary challenges targeting members of the Squad.
The aforementioned cohort of progressive lawmakers, recognized for their outspoken disapproval of Israel’s policies, specifically in relation to Gaza, has garnered the attention of AIPAC, which possesses considerable financial assets, subsequent to the Hamas onslaught on October 7th.
The action taken by AIPAC signifies a significant intensification in its endeavors to exert influence on the political landscape of the United States, specifically within the Democratic Party.
The decision to focus on The Squad, a group of lawmakers who have voiced criticism of Israeli actions and indicated support for the Palestinian cause, highlights an increasingly pronounced division within the Democratic Party and the broader Washington, D.C. political landscape about matters pertaining to the Middle East.
Tlaib, a prominent member of a political group with socialist leanings, faced censure recently following her expression of anti-Semitic remarks on X platform.
According to an article by Slate:
Close watchers now expect AIPAC to spend at least $100 million in Democratic primaries, largely trained on eliminating incumbent Squad members from their seats. It’s likely that even more money will be spent by affiliated super PACs, including the Democratic Majority for Israel PAC and the Mainstream Democrats PAC, too. (These PACs have already launched six-figure ad buys against Bowman, Lee, and Tlaib, a year away from the election—an exorbitant, hardly strategic commitment largely meant to prove that money will not be in short supply.)
Meanwhile, small-dollar fundraising numbers are way down across the board, making it even more difficult for those progressives to fund a defense.
The group known as the Squad, originally consisting of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Ayanna Pressley, has since broadened its membership to encompass other progressive individuals from diverse racial backgrounds. They have consistently advocated for policies such as Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, police reform, and student loan relief.
The prominent status of these individuals in Congress and their popularity among the youthful voting base of the Democratic Party can be attributed to their refusal to accept significant financial support and their emphasis on grassroots supporting.
The involvement of AIPAC in these key issues encompasses not only the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but also encompasses wider political strategies. The group, formerly known for its inclination towards bipartisan candidates, appears to be increasingly aligning itself with conservative principles and Republican objectives.
During the 2022 midterm elections, AIPAC emerged as the most prominent non-party organization in terms of financial contributions, specifically in Democratic primary races. AIPAC’s primary objective was to oppose progressive candidates, indicating a preference for Republican candidates in general.
The group’s alignment with the Republican Party’s position on Israel is apparent through its endorsement of 109 Republican members of Congress who voted to overturn the 2020 election, as well as its recruitment of personnel from conservative factions within Republican politics.
Nevertheless, a poll conducted by Data for Progress provides insights into the prevailing popular sentiment regarding the relationship between the United States and Israel.
The available data indicates that a significant proportion of individuals in the United States, encompassing Democrats, Independents, and Republicans, express support for a cessation of hostilities and the reduction of violence in the Gaza region.
However, the Squad will have very significant hurdles in light of the impending 2024 election cycle.
Earlier this month, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations expressed grave concern to President Joe Biden and his administration in response to a significant increase in anti-Semitic demonstrations within the United States subsequent to Israel’s declaration of war against Hamas one month ago, which was prompted by a sudden and lethal assault.
In a recent televised interview on CNN, Ambassador Gilad Erdan expressed his view that the current state of affairs is highly alarming. “I think that the situation right now is shocking. We are on the brink of a catastrophe even here in the United States.”
“We see now thousands of people chanting ‘Death to Israel,’ ‘Death to the Jews.’ We see Jewish students all across the United States on college campuses that are being threatened, not only by other students, by their professors. And presidents of universities cannot even condemn the terror attack,” Erdan added.
Sources: Slate, The Nation
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