AIPAC Confusion Grows in Washington as Americans’ Positive View of Israel Hits Four-Decade Low

A report highlighted confusion in Washington among pro-occupation pressure groups as American political attitudes toward the war shifted after the Gaza War, with a Gallup poll showing Americans’ positive view of Israel fell to its lowest level in four decades. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) was described as the leading player, having worked for seven decades to strengthen bilateral ties while relying on massive donations from American citizens. The same account said AIPAC changed strategy since 2018, moving from political pressure to direct involvement in election outcomes, with spending rising to about $100 million in the latest election cycles. It also said a joint Economist-YouGov poll found that a majority of Americans believe Israel is the biggest beneficiary of the current escalation while Washington bears the burdens.

“By Mimi Kirk The opening ceremony of the United States Embassy in Jerusalem, in May 2018, was marked by the presence of a large number of regular speakers”

alencontre

A separate account of the United States Embassy in Jerusalem opening ceremony in May 2018 described remarks by U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman, president’s senior adviser Jared Kushner, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alongside evangelical pastors Robert Jeffress and John Hagee. Jeffress prayed, saying, "Lord, we are… grateful as we recall [the founding of the State of Israel in 1948], when you fulfilled the prophecies of the prophets from thousands of years ago and gathered your people on this promised land," while Hagee identified Jerusalem as the city "where the Messiah will come to establish a kingdom that will have no end." The article said White House Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah responded when asked about their inclusion with: "Honestly, I don’t know how that happened." It further stated that Palestinian Christian human rights lawyer Jonathan Kuttab said Trump’s decision to move the embassy was made to please his Christian Zionist base rather than AIPAC or Netanyahu.

Haaretz reported that in a fundraising email to donors on Tuesday, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee warned of a "coordinated, well-funded effort to _punish_[sic] anyone who stands with Israel," saying the effort was "gaining ground fast." The same Haaretz piece framed the message as part of AIPAC’s response to political pressure in the U.S., while the earlier report described AIPAC’s campaigns using complex financial tools and proxy groups under neutral-sounding names to avoid stirring social divisions. That account said the committee targeted candidates in pivotal states such as New Jersey and Illinois, where millions of dollars were pumped to defeat moderate voices calling for reevaluation of military support for the occupation. It also said political circles warned that the hardline approach could reinforce negative stereotypes and lead to a broader boycott of funding for AIPAC by Democratic Party leaders in the future.

“A recent report in The Economist highlighted the state of confusion in Washington among pro-occupation pressure groups, coinciding with deep shifts in American political attitudes toward the war”

Jarida al-Quds