2025-12-06 06:16:PM <br/> Tags: #KeyOrganizations #organization #Lobby #AmericanJewry ![[image-191.png|612x195]] # American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) - AIPAC is the primary American lobbying organization that works on behalf of Jews and Israel. - AIPAC is the most powerful lobby in Washington, D.C. - AIPAC is the centerpiece of the American Jewish lobby. *Many use AIPAC as an unintentional placeholder for the larger Jewish lobby that they might not know exists. This project covers the whole Jewish network.* - AIPAC is deeply involved in influencing congressional elections, executive and legislative policy lobbying, and enforcing the pro-Israel consensus within the American government. - AIPAC justifies is aggressive lobbying on behalf of Israel by framing issues in terms of American national interest. - *This page will contain more commentary in italics compared to other pages. This follows my assumption that many people just learning about the Jewish influence network will start on this page.* #### Founding - AZEC, AZC, and Kenen - AIPAC originated as an offshoot of the [[American Zionist Council (AZC)]]. - The American Zionist Council was formed in 1949 as the reconstitution of the American Zionist Emergency Council (AZEC), a WWII era Jewish lobbying organization. - Under mounting federal scrutiny, the AZC transferred all its activities to the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs (AZCPA) during the 1950s and early 1960s. - The federal government was investigating the AZC for millions of dollars it received in funding from the [[Jewish Agency]], an Israeli government institution. - The JFK administration was adamant about making the AZC register as a foreign agent. - During hearings led by Senator J. William Fulbright in 1962 it was revealed that almost all of AZC/AZCPA funding came from the Israeli government via the [[Jewish Agency]]. - In 1963, [[JFK Assassination|JFK was killed]] and the pressure on Israeli lobbying organizations waned. - The AZC ceased operations fully by 1966. - The American Zionist Committee for public affairs, founded by Israeli operative [[Isaiah L. Kenen]] in 1951, was renamed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in 1959. - The AZCPA's separation from the AZC began in 1954 after the 1953 Israeli [[Qibya Massacre]] caused increased scrutiny and criticism of the AZC. - #RedPill *In response to international outrage following the Israeli massacre of Palestinians at Qibya, Jewish Americans quickly organized a public defense campaign for Israel. They did not respond like the rest of the world, they responded like international Israeli propagandists. It is important to know that since the first Israeli atrocities, the Jewish network has had their back. This is of course because Jews look out for their collective interest, regardless of which country they happen to reside in. It is not in the interest of the United States for these self-interested Jews to hold power over us, it leaves us defending Israel's crimes because the American Jewish network demands it.* - In 1956, the AZCPA rapidly deployed a public defense and lobbying campaign on behalf of Israel during the [[1956 Suez War]]. - The Suez War was an offensive war launched by France, Britain, and Israel against Egypt. - The Suez War was ended by President Eisenhower when he used U.S. leverage to force Israel, France, and Britain to retreat. - *Once again, the Jewish network immediately took Israel's side against U.S. interest. The American Jewish lobby will always take Israel's side. They conveniently sell Israel's positions by claiming they are in U.S. interests.* - In 1969-1970 AIPAC coordinated the Jewish opposition to the [[Rogers Plan]]. - The Rogers Plan was presented by Secretary of State William Rogers as a comprehensive resolution to the Israeli-Egyptian war of attrition following the [[1967 Six Day War]]. - The Jewish network, led by AIPAC, lobbied against the plan, primarily because it would make Israel give the Sinai Peninsula back to Egypt in exchange for peace. - AIPAC organized a campaign of 1,400+ Jewish leaders lobbying Congress to reject the plan. - AIPAC was successful, leading to the widespread adoption of "swarm-lobbying," where all members of Congress are inundated with lobbyist pressure regarding specific pieces of legislation. --- - The AZCPA was an early member of the [[Conference of Presidents]] - The Conference of Presidents was founded around 1954 as the umbrella organization for the largest American Jewish organizations. - Kenen's lobbying strategy was one of quiet backdoor diplomacy, meeting behind the scenes with lawmakers to affect change. - Kenen's lobbying philosophy [has been described as](https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-pro-israel-and-pro-arab-lobbies#:~:text=We%20stand%20behind%20legislation%2C%20never%20in%20front%20of%20it): "We stand behind legislation, never in front of it." --- - Important early AZCPA/AIPAC figures include: - [[Isaiah L. Kenen]] - Founder - [[Louis Lipsky]] - AZC leader that hired Isaiah Kenen in the 50s - [[Abba Eban]] - Israeli Ambassador to the United States in the 1950s, Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs in the 60s/70s. - [[Abraham Feinberg]] - Jewish American financier. Feinberg secretly funded the [[Israel and the Nuclear Bomb|Israeli nuclear project]] in the 1950s and 60s while funding AIPAC to spread false information about the existence of Israel's nuclear project. Feinberg was a member of the [[Sonneborn Institute]]. - [[Dewey Stone]] - Jewish American donor and organizational leader. Stone was a member of the [[Sonneborn Institute]]. - [[Isaiah L. Kenen]] retired in 1974 and [[Morris Amitay]] became AIPAC's executive director. - Amitay transformed AIPAC into a much more public and aggressive organization. - From 1974-1980 under Amitay, AIPAC's budget more than tripled. - *Additional depth regarding the AZC and the founding of AIPAC can be found on the [[American Zionist Council (AZC)]] and [[Isaiah L. Kenen]] pages.* #### Lobbying Outcomes - Policy Influenced by AIPAC *In addition to everything listed below, AIPAC has achieved a long list of smaller victories. Sometimes these are congressional condemnations of anti-Israel groups/reports, sometimes it is a recognition and reaffirmation of things like the holocaust or Israel's "right to exist." I will not cover all of these instances because there are so many and they all serve the same purpose: to enforce the pro-Israel grip on the U.S. government.* - During the [[1967 Six Day War]] and [[1973 Yom Kippur War]], AIPAC increased its aggression and level of influence. - By 1973, AIPAC was in part responsible for Israel's U.S. military aid guarantees of over $1 billion annually. - In the 1970s AIPAC lobbied against the sale of F-15s to Saudi Arabia and F-5s to Egypt. - To complete the sale, the AIPAC secured concessions from the Carter administration to give more planes to Israel and restrict the capabilities of the planes going to Saudi Arabia and Egypt. - In 1975, after President Gerald Ford grew frustrated with Israeli negotiating after the [[1973 Yom Kippur War]], he ordered a reassessment of U.S. policy towards Israel. - Ford's reassessment involved changes to U.S. military and humanitarian aid to Israel. - AIPAC orchestrated a [letter signed by 76/100 Senators](https://www.gov.il/en/pages/84-letter-to-president-ford-by-76-members-of-the-us-senate-22-may-1975) calling for Ford to back off. - Ford relaxed the pressure on Israel following AIPAC's wielding of the Senate. - In 1982, AIPAC focused its efforts on unseating Republican Illinois Congressman Paul Findley for his critical stance on Israel. - AIPAC backed Democrat Dick Durbin in a successful bid to defeat Findley. - Dick Durban held Findley's seat until 1997 when he became a U.S. Senator from Illinois. - Durban has spent 43 years as a member of Congress. - In 1984, AIPAC took down Republican Illinois Senator Charles Percy for his moderate positions on U.S. policy in the Middle East. - Percy supported selling Saudi Arabia airborne early warning and control (AWAC) planes. - Israeli government policy opposed the sale of AWACs to Saudi Arabia. *Many Jews and Israel shills will explain U.S. support for Israel in the 20th century as the result of its strategic benefit as a Cold War proxy against the Soviets. Their argument falls apart when they adamantly opposed the sale of military equipment to Saudi Arabia in the 1980s. If we accept the Cold War premise used as a pretext to explain support for Israel, U.S. interest in the sale was classic Cold War alliance building and hedging against Moscow in a critical region. Unlike Israel, Saudi Arabia has access to the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Arabian Peninsula, etc. An alliance with Saudi Arabia would give the U.S. a credible foothold in vital waterways, trade routes, oil production, and the Arab world more broadly. AIPAC and the Jewish network's opposition to the sale is easy to understand; they support Israel. Not because Israel is a U.S. asset in the clash of great powers, but because Israel is Jewish and they are Jewish and therefore they support the Jewish state whether it is in the best interest of the United States or not. This condition is the entire purpose of this project.* - For his sins, AIPAC picked Democrat Paul Simon to challenge Percy. - Simon defeated Percy in a closely contested 1984 senatorial election. - Simon served as Illinois' Senator until retiring in 1997. Simon's successor was Dick Durbin, covered above. - AIPAC's congressional victories in the 1980s gave it a powerful public image as a dangerous organization to oppose. - In 1985, AIPAC lobbied for the Israel-United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA). - This was the first free trade agreement the United States made with any other country. - The signing ceremony was held at the annual AIPAC meeting. - The agreement eliminated almost all trade barriers, giving Israel a significant economic advantage at a time when its economy was faltering. - Until recently, the top U.S. import from Israel was diamonds. *Diamonds are now second to electronic equipment.* - AIPAC routinely lobbies for continued and increased foreign aid to Israel. - Initially this took the form of specific weapons packages and unique legislative actions. - In addition to singular presidential and congressional initiatives, Israel has, since 1998, received U.S. aid in the form of long contracts called a "memorandum of understanding (MOU)." - These memorandums are 10-year agreements that guarantee annual aid to Israel. - The current MOU covers 2019-2028; each year Israel gets $3.8 billion. - AIPAC and the Israelis are currently lobbying for a 20-year MOU. - The 20-year MOU will insulate Israel from possible political upheavals in the United States until 2048, by which time Israel will hope to shed itself of the need for U.S. aid. - Though the Israelis would rather not take foreign aid, as it confers leverage to the United States, they are not powerful enough to stand alone. - Part of the AIPAC/Israeli solution is the much longer 20-year MOU. - AIPAC worked in lock-step with Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] in opposition to the [[Iran Nuclear Deal]]. - During the 2016 election, the termination of the deal was a top priority of AIPAC. - Given that the deal was not an act of Congress, the U.S. president had sole discretion regarding U.S. involvement in the deal. - Donald Trump spoke at the 2016 AIPAC Policy Conference where he directly stated, "My number one priority is to dismantle the disastrous deal with Iran." - On May 8, 2018, [[Donald Trump]] withdrew the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), essentially ending the entire deal. *The other signatories of the deal remained but the United States obviously matters the most.* - Immediately Trump imposed economic sanctions on Iran as part of a maximum pressure campaign. - Trump has boasted about leaving the JCPOA and making Iran "broke" ever since. - Trump executed Iran's top military leader Qasem Soleimani on January 3, 2020, in Syria. - In 2025, Trump fulfilled 40 years of Israeli desire and 20+ years of Israeli sabotage and covert ops when he joined Israel's [[2025 12 Day Iran-Israel War]] and bombed Iran's nuclear sites. - In early 2026, Trump brought the U.S. into full scale aerial and naval [[2026 Iran War|war with Iran]]. - *Every anti-Iran measure undertaken by Trump were/are top AIPAC lobbying initiatives. AIPAC had more of a role in some than others, but all were on the checklist.* - AIPAC lobbied for the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995. - The Act recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital. - The Act set aside funding for the U.S. embassy in Israel to be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. - The Act was repeatedly postponed via 6-month waivers by the U.S. president until 2017. - In June of 2017, [[Donald Trump]] signed a 6-month waiver. - At that time, the U.S. Senate unanimously (90-0) passed a resolution commemorating Israel's annexation of Jerusalem during the [[1967 Six Day War]]. - The resolution called on the President to fulfil the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995 and move the embassy once and for all. - In December of 2017, Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and set about moving the embassy. - Trump signed one last 6-month waiver. - On May 8th, 2018, the U.S. embassy opened in Jerusalem. - In 1996, AIPAC was the primary force behind the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA). - The ILSA was passed in the House 415-0 and unanimously in the Senate as well. (Mearsheimer and Walt 2007, 289 p.1) - In 1995, AIPAC commissioned a report titled "Comprehensive U.S. Sanctions Against Iran: A Plan of Action." (Mearsheimer and Walt 2007, 288 p.2) - The chief proponent of the Iran and Libya sanctions Act (ILSA) was Senator Al D'Amato. *Around this same time, Senator D'Amato was the primary congressional force behind the Swiss banks saga, covered in the [[World Jewish Congress]] page.* - Senator D'Amato was a top AIPAC 'guy' in the U.S. Senate. - Unique insight into AIPAC's view of D'Amato is included in the [[David Steiner Leaked AIPAC Phone Call (1992)]]. - Since its passage in 1996, AIPAC has lobbied for amendments and renewals of the act. - AIPAC lobbied for the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. - The Golan Heights came under Israeli control during the [[1967 Six Day War]]. - Israel passed the "Golan Heights Law" in 1981, which served as a quasi-formal annexation of the territory. - In 2019, Donald Trump recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights. *For decades, the Golan Heights were considered the key to peace between Syria and Israel. AIPAC's campaign in support of Israeli annexation of the Golan Heights was once again contrary to U.S. interest. Pages 267-271 of The Israel Lobby by Mearsheimer and Walt cover this topic.* #### Methods of Influence - ##### Being everywhere all the time: - In the 1980s under director [[Tom Dine]] AIPAC opened a number of regional offices around the country. - AIPAC mobilized activists in every state to apply pressure on their local elected officials on behalf of Israeli interest. - AIPAC aims to have quick contact and access to every member of Congress. - Famously, every member of Congress has an "AIPAC guy." These AIPAC lobbyists are assigned to each member of Congress for constant pressure and access. - AIPAC wants every elected official to know they are watching, for reward or for punishment. - ##### Swarm-lobbying: - When AIPAC wishes to support or, more often, oppose a specific piece of legislation or a personnel nominee, it will descend on D.C. in a swarm like lobbying blitz. - AIPAC will send thousands of its members to lobby the entirety of Congress in a rapid maximum pressure campaign. - Similarly, AIPAC coordinates mass letter writing and call campaigns where thousands of its members will spam lawmakers with AIPAC messaging. - Importantly, this messaging pressure will not only come from ordinary AIPAC activists, but donors and well connected D.C. figures as well. - *Imagine an undecided lawmaker gets 50 calls and letters from AIPAC activists, and a handful of calls from personal associates and powerful donors. This kind of pressure is a routine part of AIPAC's activities.* - As a further level of pressure, AIPAC commonly works with legislators to draft open letters which garner hundreds of congressional signatures. - These letters are used to create an atmosphere of unanimity, and to indirectly warn lawmakers who might vote against AIPAC's interest. *Often these letters are directed at the president.* - ##### Filter: - AIPAC quietly monitors all congressional races in the country. - AIPAC meets with candidates to discuss and educate them on pro-Israel positions. - AIPAC thoroughly screens and filters candidates through extensive meetings. This process can take the form of negotiations, threats, pressure, cash incentives, etc. - This process is conducted by both AIPAC itself and its proxies (sympathetic supporters, usually donors). - In some cases, AIPAC gears up to oppose a candidate before entering back-door negotiations. - The candidate will cede ground on their Israel positions, and AIPAC will back off of negative advertising. - This happened in 2022 with Congressman Maxwell Frost (D-Fl), who negotiated with AIPAC to keep them from spending money against him. Frost softened his pro-Palestinian positions and voted for foreign aid to Israel in 2022. - ##### Information: - A Staple of AIPAC lobbying since the 1950s has been its *Near East Report*, a pro-Israel publication distributed to members of Congress, policy writers, and media outlets. - In the 1970s, well known Jewish CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer started his career working for AIPAC's *Near East Report*. - Much like the *Near East Report*, AIPAC arms inundates with with endless data and reports. - This AIPAC-supplied information is intended to equip lawmakers with pro-Israel policy positions and arguments. - In 1985, the [[Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP)]] was founded as a spin-off of AIPAC. - The think tank's founder [[Martin Indyk]], was an AIPAC deputy research director before founding WINEP. - Barbi Weinberg, who co-founded WINEP with Indyk, was the wife of former AIPAC president [[Larry Weinberg]]. - WINEP is a central organ of the Jewish D.C. power network. #### Structure, PACs, and AIPAC Programs - AIPAC is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit lobbying organization. - As a 501(c)(4), AIPAC can engage in unlimited political lobbying, but cannot donate directly to candidates. - AIPAC instead directs its members to independently contribute to AIPAC-ordained pro-Israel PACs and candidates. - AIPAC has 17 regional offices across the U.S. - AIPAC claims over 5 million members. - AIPAC is headquartered in Washington, D.C. - AIPAC's HQ is called the Mayer Mitchell Building- named after AIPAC's president from 1990-1992 and chairman from 1993-1996. - AIPAC's HQ is situated roughly equidistant from the U.S. Capitol (0.8 mi away) and the White House (1.2 mi) away. ![[image-193.png|610x353]] *Red - White House; Green - Capitol; Blue - AIPAC Headquarters building * - In 2022, AIPAC formed the AIPAC political action committee (PAC). - The formation of AIPAC PAC was a break from AIPAC's standard policy of not directly contributing to candidates. - The AIPAC PAC spent ~$17 million backing 365 candidates in 2022 midterm elections. - In 2024 the AIPAC Pac spent ~$57 million. - In 2022 AIPAC formed the United Democracy Project (UDP) super PAC. - The UDP spent ~$26 million in the 2022 elections. - The UDP spent ~$38 million in the 2024 elections. - The UDP's success rate by candidate was 50% in 2022 and 75% in 2024. - In 2024 the UDP's largest spending was against the progressive Democrats for their criticism of Israel's [[Gaza War]]. - The UDP (and AIPAC in general) focuses heavily on primary elections. From AIPAC's point of view, if both parties have a pro-Israel candidate, they can consider it a win and spend money elsewhere. - #### UDP and AIPAC PAC Comparison | | United Democracy Project (super PAC) | AIPAC PAC | | ------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Donations | Unlimited | Strict limits | | Can donate to candidates | No | Yes | | Can run attack ads | Yes | No | | can coordinate with candidates | No | Yes | | Spending type | Millions per race | Thousands per candidate | | Publicity | high-profile, prone to controversy | Low-profile, working quietly to cultivate candidates | | Purpose | Big money, hard power, huge spending on negative advertising | Work with candidates to form a reliable pro-Israel legislative relationship | - #### 2022-2024 UDP Major Donors | Individual | Organization | Total (2022 and 2024 combined) | | --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------ | | [[Jonathon Jacobson]] | HighSage Ventures and Hight Fields Capital Management | $5,575,000 | | [[Jan Koum]] | | $5,000,000 | | [[Bernard Marcus]] | [[Marcus Foundation]] | $4,000,000 | | [[Haim Saban]] | Saban Capital Group | $3,000,000 | | [[Paul Singer]] | Elliott Management | $3,000,000 | | [[Robert Kraft]] | Kraft Group | $2,000,000 | | [[David Zalik]] | Greensky | $2,000,000 | | [[Marc Rowan]] | [[Apollo Global Management]] | $1,300,000 | | Paul Levy | [[JLL Partners]] | $1,000,000 | | [[Martin Geller]] | Geller & Co. | $704,000 | | [[Betsy Korn]] | | $250,000 | | | [[Goldman Sachs]] | $135,000 | - In 1990, AIPAC launched is 501(c)(3) affiliate: American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF). - AIEF sends the US Congress on annual free "educational" trips to Israel. - AIEF congressional trips are a curated propaganda and lobbying experience for lawmakers. - AIEF sifts through U.S. high schools, bringing promising pro-Israel students to Washington, D.C. for "sophisticated Israel advocacy and political activism training." - Founding AIEF board members were [[Charles Schusterman]], Morton Friedman, Bernard White, and Harriet Zimmerman. - AIPAC's 2024 form 990 schedule R tax filing shows the AIEF has an office in the AIPAC headquarters building in D.C., and also an office in Jerusalem.[^1] #### AIPAC's Unique Funding Network - AIPAC's immense power is concealed through its informal network of donors, cultivated through personal relationships. - Until 2022, AIPAC did not directly give money to candidates, however they did all the heavy lifting of connecting pro-Israel donors to pro-Israel candidates. - A rare insight to this is the [[David Steiner Leaked AIPAC Phone Call (1992)]]. - AIPAC asserts that no fundraising activity occurs at its annual Policy Conference, which draws tens of thousands in attendance. - This is a verbal technicality, considering the [concealed fundraising](https://web.archive.org/web/20250430195801/https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/aipac-omar-israel-congress-anti-semitism/#:~:text=However%2C%20there%20are%20also%20the%20side%20rooms%2C%20nominally%20independent%20of%20the%20main%20event%20but%20just%20down%20the%20hall%2C%20where%20candidates%20and%20invited%20donors%20(only%20the%20really%20wealthy%20donors%20get%20the%20invites)%20meet%20and%20decide%20which%20candidate%20will%20get%20what.) at the Policy Conference is described by former AIPAC official M.J. Rosenberg, "However, there are also the side rooms, nominally independent of the main event but just down the hall, where candidates and invited donors (only the really wealthy donors get the invites) meet and decide which candidate will get what." - AIPAC cultivates donors and curates candidates, the whole process is 'AIPAC-sanitized.' - Additional major AIPAC donors (not listed in the table above). - [[Leonid Radvinsky]] - Massive $11 million donation in 2023. Radvinsky was the owner of the adult website OnlyFans. *With friends like these...* - [[Charles Schusterman]] - [[Jeffrey Yass]] - [[Paul Marciano]] - [[Jan Koum]] of WhatsApp - [[Miriam Adelson]] - [[Sheldon Adelson]] - [[Stephen A. Schwarzman]] of [[Blackstone]] - [[Josh Harris]] of [[Apollo Global Management]] - [[Lloyd Blankfein]] of [[Goldman Sachs]] - [[Tony Ressler]] of [[Ares Management]] - [[Mark Penn]] - [[Julie Platt]] of the [[Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)]] - [[Jonathan Gray]] - [[Shlomo Rechnitz]] - Judd Zebersky - Founder of Squishmallows - [[Les Wexner]] - *Wexner was an extremely close associate of [[Jeffrey Epstein]].* - Paul Burg - Large AIPAC donor and "holocaust survivor." As covered in an article in *Jacobin*, with was covering an article in *The Lever*, when Burg was asked to comment he stated, "I will give my life for Israel, and I never lived in Israel!" *Why would someone give their life for a place they've never been? Because he his Jewish. Any other answer is a purposeful misdirection or an admission of ignorance.* - [[Adam Milstein]] - In 2024, AIPAC's total revenue was ~$156 million, nearly double 2023's revenue of ~$79 million. #### AIPAC Conferences and Major Events ![[image-197.png]] *Well known photo from the 2013 AIPAC Policy Conference* - AIPAC's signature annual event is its Policy Conference in Washington, D.C. - The Policy Conference began in the 1960s under [[Isaiah L. Kenen]]. - The Policy Conference draws thousands and even tens of thousands of annual attendees. - The Policy Conference serves as both a large gathering with high profile speakers, and as a lobbying extravaganza with AIPAC-hosted briefings and Middle East consultations. - The Policy Conferences features politicians, diplomats, Jewish leaders, Israeli leaders, etc. as speakers. - Past Policy Conference speakers include: *These are just the major names, almost every member of Congress for many decades has attended AIPAC events.* - [[Donald Trump]] - President - Hillary Clinton - Secretary of State *(former)* - Barack Obama - 44th President - Mike Pompeo - Secretary of State *(former)* - Lindsey Graham - Senator - [[Michael Bloomberg]] - Financier and Mayor of New York *(former)* - [[Max Boot]] - Media/writer - [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] - Israeli PM - Joe Biden - 46th President - Kamala Harris - Vice President *(former)* - [[Michael Herzog]] - Israeli Ambassador to the United States 2021-2025 - Mitch McConnell - Senate Majority leader *(former)* - Hakeem Jeffries - House Democrat leader - Mike Johnson - House Republican leader - John Fetterman - Senator - Chuck Schumer - Senate Democrat leader - Mike Pence - Vice President *(former)* - [[Ron Dermer]] - Israeli Ambassador to the United States 2013-2021 - [[Joe Lieberman]] - Senator *(former)* - Steny Hoyer - House Majority Leader *(former)* - Meghan McCain - Media - [[Benny Gantz]] - Israeli politician - Paul Ryan - Speaker of the House *(former)* - Nancy Pelosi Speaker of the House *(former)* - [[Nikki Haley]] - U.N. Ambassador *(former)* - [[Ted Cruz]] - Senator - [[Ehud Barak]] - Israeli Prime Minister *(former)* - [[Shimon Peres]] - Israeli Prime Minister *(former)* - [[George W. Bush]] - 43rd President - [[Ted Deutch]] - Former Congressman, current head of the [[American Jewish Committee (AJC)]] - [[Ariel Sharon]] - Prime Minister of Israel *(former)* - [[Bill Clinton]] - 42nd President - [[John Hagee]] - Christian Zionist and head of [[Christians United For Israel (CUFI)]] - AIPAC canceled the Policy Conference in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid disruptions. - Since its return to full sized events in 2023, AIPAC has ran the "AIPAC Political Summit." #### David Steiner Leaked 1992 Donor Phone Call - In 1992, AIPAC president David Steiner was forced to resign after his phone call with a Jewish donor was secretly recorded and leaked. - Given its length, this section is held on its own page [[David Steiner Leaked AIPAC Phone Call (1992)]]. - *The page has full break down of the transcript. The way Jewish donors and the organizations they finance coordinate their activities is rarely seen. The Steiner phone call is a rare look behind the curtain.* #### United States V. Franklin - AIPAC Espionage Ring - In 2004-5, after years of FBI investigation, Defense Department analyst Lawrence Franklin was caught funneling classified information to AIPAC's policy director [[Steven Rosen]] and AIPAC Iran analyst Keith Weissman. - Franklin, a former attaché at the U.S. embassy in Israel, was working in the Pentagon under Under Secretary for Policy [[Douglas Feith]] and later under Deputy Secretary of Defense [[Paul Wolfowitz]]. - The information was related to U.S. Iran policy. - Rosen and Weissman received classified information from Franklin verbally. - They proceeded to pass the information to Israel. - In 2005, Franklin, Rosen, and Weissman were all indicted under the Espionage Act of 1917. - The charges on Rosen and Weissman were dropped in 2009. - Franklin plead guilty was sentenced to nearly 13 years in prison. His sentence soon reduced to 10 months of house arrest and 100 hours of community service. - In a later interview, Rosen blamed "the people who brought this case," for "the attitude they had about the Jews, Israel, AIPAC..." - Rosen proclaimed the innocence of himself, Franklin, Weissman, Israel, and AIPAC. - Rosen described his activities, "It was nothing special. It was normal. But these people were talking as if we were a nest of spies, that we were doing something against America." *No shame, no reflection, no remorse. Remarkable.* #### Donald Trump's 2016 AIPAC Speech - In March of 2016 [[Donald Trump]] delivered a campaign speech to a packed 20,000 seat arena during AIPAC's annual Policy Conference. - Trump's speech was essentially an Israeli fantasy; Trump hit all the right notes, and said all the right lines. - In 2018, it was revealed that Trump's speech was dictated by Israel's Ambassador to the United States [[Ron Dermer]] on a phone call with Trump's son-in-law [[Jared Kushner]]. - I will provide a breakdown of the speech given the relevance of its writers, claims, and promises. >[!info] The Speech > - Trump opened the speech proclaiming to be a "lifelong supporter and true friend of Israel. I am a newcomer to politics, but not to backing the Jewish state." > - Trump then boasted about loaning his plane to New York mayor Rudy Giuliani for his post 9/11 2001 trip to Israel. > - Giuliani was accompanied on his trip by billionaire Jew [[Michael Bloomberg]]. > - Trump explained that he loaned the plane because he "backed the mission for Israel 100%." > - Trump then declared he was not there to "pander to you about Israel," he continued, "that's what politicians do, all talk no action." > - *This statement has considerably more significance 10 years later, after Trump kept all his Israel-related promises made in the speech. This is covered below.* > - Trump then called Israel "Our strategic ally," "cultural brother," and "the only democracy in the Middle East." *All are untrue.* > - #### The Promises: > - Trump stated his "number one priority is too dismantle the [[Iran Nuclear Deal|disastrous deal with Iran]]." > - *Trump withdrew the United States from the [[Iran Nuclear Deal]] on May 8, 2018. Subsequently, Trump began a maximum pressure campaign on Iran.* > - Trump called Iran the "number one state sponsor of terror." > - Trump explained that Iran is arming and funding all of Israel's enemies in an effort to dominate the region. > - Trump claimed that "they've got terror cells everywhere, including in the Western Hemisphere very close to home." > - Trump then went after Iran's ballistic missile program by repeating the Israeli propaganda line that the missiles are "designed to intimidate, not only Israel, which is only 600 miles away, but also intended to frighten Europe, and someday, maybe, hit even the United States." *This line is a favorite of Bibi Netanyahu.* > - Trump then said he would reject any deal imposed by the UN to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. > - Trump said the "United States must oppose this resolution, and use the power of our veto, which I will use as president 100%" > - Notoriously, in late December of 2016 as a lame duck, President Obama abstained from voting on UN Security Council Resolution 2334. > - UNSCR 2334 passed unanimously 14-0, Obama did not use the veto. > - UNSCR 2334 declared Israel's settlement activity in the West Bank to be a violation of "international law." > - Donald Trump and the Israeli government pulled all the stops trying to thwart the resolution. > - The Israelis considered the resolution an "act of war." > - Trump has used UN Security Council vetoes to support Israel numerous times during his presidencies. *The United States [uses its veto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_vetoed_United_Nations_Security_Council_resolutions) on the UNSC almost exclusively to shield Israel and reject Palestinian advancement. This is true for all recent presidents.* > - Trump asserted that, "No one should be telling Israel that it, and really that it must abide, by some agreement made by others thousands of miles away that don't even really know what's happening to Israel. It's so preposterous. We're not going to let that happen." *Once you know this was written by the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, you can feel the [[Hasbara]] exuding from every word.* > - Trump then makes an absurd claim that "To make a deal, you need two willing participants. We know Israel is willing to deal. Israel has been trying. Israel has been trying to sit down at the negotiating table without preconditions for years." He continued, "When I become president, the days of treating Israel like a second class citizen will end on day one[standing ovation erupts]." > - Trump then states, "There is no moral equivalency. Israel does not name public squares after terrorists, Israel does not pay it's children to stab random Palestinians." > - *I blame [[Ron Dermer]] for writing such an easily refuted claim:* > - There are two streets in Ashkelon named after [[Meir Kahane]]. > - Kahane park in the West Bank settlement of Kiryat Arba is also named after Meir Kahane. > - A street in Jerusalem is named "Etzel" another word for the Jewish terror organization the [[Irgun and Lehi Zionist Paramilitary Organizations|Irgun]]. > - Trump then promised, "We will move the American Embassy to the eternal capital of the Jewish people, Jerusalem." > - On May 14, 2018, Donald Trump moved the embassy to Jerusalem. *May 14th is Israeli independence day.* > ---- > - Trump closed the speech by stating, "I love the people in this room. I love Israel. I love Israel. I've been with Israel so long in terms of... I've received some of my greatest honors from Israel. My father before me, incredible. My daughter Ivanka is about to have a beautiful Jewish baby." > > - ![[image-194.png]] > *[[Donald Trump]] speaks at the 2016 AIPAC Policy Conference* #### AIPAC And Organized Jewry - AIPAC's 2023 form 990 schedule I tax filing shows six grants to domestic organizations, one of which is the [[Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC)]] for $500,000. - The [[Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP)]] was founded under the direction of AIPAC to act as an 'independent' think tank that pushed AIPAC policy. - The [[Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)]] has considerable overlap with AIPAC's members/donors. - [[Tom Dine]], AIPAC's leader from 1980-1993 was a CFR member during his time at AIPAC and [still is today](https://www.cfr.org/membership/roster#:~:text=Jamie%20Dimon-,Tom%20Dine,-Robert%20C.%20Dinerstein). - AIPAC donors [[Stephen A. Schwarzman]], [[Josh Harris]], [[Lloyd Blankfein]], and [[Mark Penn]] are all CFR members. - AIPAC, the [[ADL]], the [[American Jewish Committee (AJC)]], the [[Conference of Presidents]], and the [[Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)]] are partnered in leading the [[10/7 Project]]. *These 5 are probably the most important American Jewish organizations.* - The 10/7 project is a joint initiative to 'educate' the public regarding Israel's [[Gaza War|War on Gaza]]. - Since the 1950s, AIPAC has closely worked with almost all of the major Jewish organizations: - [[Hadassah]] - [[ADL]] - [[Conference of Presidents]] - AIPAC was an early member of the Conference in the 50s. The Conference and AIPAC have an informal agreement: AIPAC lobbies Congress and the Conference lobbies the White House. - [[B'nai B'rith]] - [[American Jewish Committee (AJC)]] - [[Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC)]] - Can be considered the Republican affiliate organization of AIPAC - [[Democratic Majority for Israel]] - Can be considered the Democrat affiliate organization of AIPAC - [[Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA)]] - [[UJA-Federation of New York]] - [[Hillel International]] - Campus initiatives. - [[Orthodox Union]] - [Here](https://jewishaction.com/preidents-message/supporting-the-jewish-homeland/) is an article written by OU president Simcha Katz directly discussing the OU's embracement of AIPAC. The article encourages OU members to, "Become a member of AIPAC, become informed, and if possible, consider attending, at least once, AIPAC’s National Policy Conference in Washington, DC." - [[Rabbinical Assembly]] - The last paragraph of [this article](https://www.jta.org/2010/03/22/ideas/op-ed-israel-diaspora-relations-a-new-equation#:~:text=As%20more%20than%20100%20Conservative%20rabbis%2C%20over%20half%20of%20the%20total%20rabbis%20in%20attendance%2C%20prepared%20for%20the%20AIPAC%20Policy%20Conference%2C%20an%20annual%20highlight%20for%20supporters%20of%20Israel%20from%20across%20North%20America%2C) describes how the Rabbinical Assembly is involved in the AIPAC Policy Conference. - [[Rabbinical Council of America (RCA)]] - [This RCA announcement](https://rabbis.org/march-6-2019-2/#:~:text=%E2%80%A2%20AIPAC%20Conference%20is%20upcoming%20and%20we%20will%20have%20an%20RCA%20get%20together%20at%20the%20Conference.) explains how the RCA will be present at the AIPAC policy Conference - [[Union for Reform Judaism (URJ)]] The first sentence of [this URJ article](https://urj.org/press-room/reform-movement-response-news-donald-trump-will-speak-aipac-policy-conference#:~:text=The%20Reform%20Jewish%20Movement%20has%20always%20worked%20very%20closely%20with%20AIPAC.) says, "The Reform Jewish Movement has always worked very closely with AIPAC." - *The article is a response to AIPAC inviting Donald Trump to speak at the 2016 Policy Conference. The URJ was voicing its opposition to Trump's "bigotry, especially against Hispanics and Muslims." and his offenses to "women, people of color, and other groups." The URJ then openly states, "Mr. Trump's extreme anti-immigrant rhetoric reminds us that our own ancestors' access to American shores of freedom and promise were once blocked, with deadly consequences. When he speaks hatefully of Mexicans or Muslims, for example, we recall a time when anti-Semitism put Jews at deathly danger, even in the United States."* - [[Birthright Israel]] - This [2011 *JTA* article](https://www.jta.org/2011/02/02/united-states/birthright-rejects-j-street-partnership#:~:text=Birthright%20continues%20to%20partner%20with%20AIPAC%2C) states, "Birthright continues to partner with AIPAC." - [[World Jewish Congress]] - This [WJC press release](https://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/news/at-aipac-wjcs-jewish-communal-leaders-address-challenges-facing-jewish-communities-around-the-world-3-1-2019#:~:text=Leaders%20of%20the%20World%20Jewish%20Congress%E2%80%99%20affiliated%20communities%20convened%20at%20the%20American%20Israel%20Public%20Affairs%20Committee%20(AIPAC)%20policy%20conference%20on%20Monday) describes their involvement in the AIPAC Policy Conference, 2019. #### Leaders and Major Figures Executive Directors: - [[Isaiah L. Kenen]] - Founder and first executive director 1951-1974 - [[Morris Amitay]] - Executive director 1974-1980 - [[Tom Dine]] - Executive director 1980-1993 - [[Neal Sher]] - Executive director 1994-1996 - [[Howard Kohr]] - Executive director 1996-2024 *In 2024 Kohr was paid $1,307,898 in direct executive compensation.* - [[Elliot Brandt]] - Executive director since 2025 Other Figures: - [[Larry Weinberg]] - AIPAC president 1978-1982 - [[Steven Rosen]] - Highly influential AIPAC policy director from 1982-2005. Also an Israeli spy. - [[Betsy Korn]] - AIPAC president 2020-2023 - Chair of the AIPAC board 2023-2025. #### Recommended Reading - The Israel Lobby - John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt - Lobbying for Zionism on Both Sides of the Atlantic - Ilan Pappe #### References - “AZC, AZCPA and AIPAC Lobbying Act Disclosure Forms,” _Israel Lobby Archive_ (IRMEP), [https://www.israellobby.org/azcpa/](https://www.israellobby.org/azcpa/). - “American Zionist Council,” _Wikipedia_. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Zionist_Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Zionist_Council). - “Isaiah L. Kenen: Foreign Agent to Founder of AIPAC,” _Israel Lobby Archive_ (IRMEP), [https://www.israellobby.org/kenen/](https://www.israellobby.org/kenen/). - “DOJ orders the AZC to Register as a Foreign Agent,” _Israel Lobby Archive_ (IRMRP), [https://www.israellobby.org/azcdoj/](https://www.israellobby.org/azcdoj/). - Rossinow D. “The Edge of the Abyss”: The Origins of the Israel Lobby, 1949–1954. _Modern American History_. 2018;1(1):23-43. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/modern-american-history/article/edge-of-the-abyss-the-origins-of-the-israel-lobby-19491954/E1690BDB5CA87C66B2B65D12CA1D716A - Lazarowitz, Arlene. “A Southern Senator and Israel: Senator J. William Fulbright’s Accusations of Undue Influence over American Foreign Policy in the Middle East.” _Southern Jewish History_ 14 (2011): 115–40, p. 129, 130, 134. [https://www.jewishsouth.org/system/files/sjh_v._14_2011_lazarowitz.pdf](https://www.jewishsouth.org/system/files/sjh_v._14_2011_lazarowitz.pdf). - Smith, Grant. “Where Did AIPAC Come From?” _Antiwar.com_, October 9, 2007. [https://original.antiwar.com/smith-grant/2007/10/09/where-did-aipac-come-from/](https://original.antiwar.com/smith-grant/2007/10/09/where-did-aipac-come-from/). - “Paul Findley.” _Wikipedia._ [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Findley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Findley). - “US–Saudi Arabia AWACS Sale.” _Wikipedia. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US%E2%80%93Saudi_Arabia_AWACS_Sale](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US%E2%80%93Saudi_Arabia_AWACS_Sale). - Jewish Virtual Library. “_American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)._” _Jewish Virtual Library_. [https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/american-israel-public-affairs-committee-aipac](https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/american-israel-public-affairs-committee-aipac). - OpenSecrets. “United Democracy Project (C00799031): 2024 Summary.” _OpenSecrets.org_. [https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/united-democracy-project/C00799031/summary/2024](https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/united-democracy-project/C00799031/summary/2024). - OpenSecrets. “Outside Spending Detail: C00799031, 2024.” _OpenSecrets.org_. [https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/detail?cmte=C00799031&cycle=2024](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/detail?cmte=C00799031&cycle=2024). - OpenSecrets. “American Israel Public Affairs Cmte PAC (C00797670): 2022 Summary.” _OpenSecrets.org_. [https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/american-israel-public-affairs-cmte/C00797670/summary/2022](https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/american-israel-public-affairs-cmte/C00797670/summary/2022). - OpenSecrets. “Outside Spending Detail: United Democracy Project (C00799031), 2024 Donors.” _OpenSecrets.org_. [https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/detail/2024?cmte=C00799031&tab=donors](https://www.opensecrets.org/outside-spending/detail/2024?cmte=C00799031&tab=donors). - Track AIPAC. “Donors.” _TrackAIPAC.com_. [https://www.trackaipac.com/donors](https://www.trackaipac.com/donors). - Schusterman Family Foundation. “American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF).” November 18, 2011. Archived at Web Archive. [https://web.archive.org/web/20111118045515/http://www.schusterman.org/programs/israel/american-israel-education-foundation](https://web.archive.org/web/20111118045515/http://www.schusterman.org/programs/israel/american-israel-education-foundation). - Rosenberg, M.J. “This Is How AIPAC Really Works.” _The Nation_, February 14, 2019. Internet Archive, April 30, 2025. [https://web.archive.org/web/20250430195801/https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/aipac-omar-israel-congress-anti-semitism/](https://web.archive.org/web/20250430195801/https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/aipac-omar-israel-congress-anti-semitism/). - "Watch Donald Trump speak at AIPAC 2016." YouTube video, posted by *PBS NewsHour*, March 21, 2016. https://youtu.be/2ZGgMJ3QDAQ - Eli Leon. “Israeli envoy wrote Trump campaign speech to AIPAC, new book claims.” _JNS_, June 18, 2018. [https://www.jns.org/israeli-envoy-wrote-trump-campaign-speech-to-aipac-new-book-claims/](https://www.jns.org/israeli-envoy-wrote-trump-campaign-speech-to-aipac-new-book-claims/). - Ben-Ami, Yuval. “_Myth and Murder in Israeli Street Names._” _+972 Magazine_, June 26, 2011. [https://www.972mag.com/myth-and-murder-in-israeli-street-names/](https://www.972mag.com/myth-and-murder-in-israeli-street-names/). - Wikipedia. “Wolf Blitzer.” _Wikipedia_. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Blitzer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_Blitzer). - The Israel Lobby Archive. “_The American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF)._” _The Israel Lobby Archive_. [https://www.israellobby.org/aief/](https://www.israellobby.org/aief/). - “American Israel Public Affairs Committee.” _ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer_. [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/530217164](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/530217164). - Brownfeld, Allan C. “AIPAC, Dark Money, and the Assault on Democracy.” _Association for Middle East Understanding_, November 22, 2023. [https://www.ameu.org/2023/11/22/aipac-dark-money-and-the-assault-on-democracy/](https://www.ameu.org/2023/11/22/aipac-dark-money-and-the-assault-on-democracy/). - Seidman, Derek. “Top AIPAC Donors Tied to Prominent Cultural Institutions and Universities.” _LittleSis_, September 5, 2024. [https://www.littlesis.org/news/top-aipac-donors-tied-to-prominent-cultural-institutions-and-universities/](https://www.littlesis.org/news/top-aipac-donors-tied-to-prominent-cultural-institutions-and-universities/). - White House, “_FACT SHEET: Memorandum of Understanding Reached with Israel,_” _Obama White House Archives_, September 14, 2016. [https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/09/14/fact-sheet-memorandum-understanding-reached-israel](https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/09/14/fact-sheet-memorandum-understanding-reached-israel). - Ravid, Barak. “_Israel Seeks 20-Year Military Aid Deal With the U.S._” _Axios_, November 13, 2025. [https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/israel-military-aid-us-billions-20-years](https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/israel-military-aid-us-billions-20-years). - MacKinnon, Colin. “Administration in Hot Seat Thanks to AIPAC-Drafted Iran-Libya Sanctions Act.” _Washington Report on Middle East Affairs_, March 1998, 49–50. Posted March 30, 1998. [https://www.wrmea.org/1998-march/trade-and-finance-administration-in-hot-seat-thanks-to-aipac-drafted-iran-libya-sanctions-act.html](https://www.wrmea.org/1998-march/trade-and-finance-administration-in-hot-seat-thanks-to-aipac-drafted-iran-libya-sanctions-act.html). - Mearsheimer, John J., and Stephen M. Walt. _The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy_. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2007, 287-9. - Iran and Libya Sanctions Act. _Wikipedia_, last edited July 29, 2025. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_and_Libya_Sanctions_Act](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran_and_Libya_Sanctions_Act). - Shoup, Laurence H. “The Council on Foreign Relations, the Israel Lobby, and the War on Gaza.” _Monthly Review_ 76, no. 1 (May 1, 2024). [https://monthlyreview.org/articles/the-council-on-foreign-relations-the-israel-lobby-and-the-war-on-gaza/](https://monthlyreview.org/articles/the-council-on-foreign-relations-the-israel-lobby-and-the-war-on-gaza/). - “Membership Roster.” _Council on Foreign Relations_. [https://www.cfr.org/membership/roster](https://www.cfr.org/membership/roster). - Amos Barshad. “AIPAC’s War Chest Is Growing as the War on Gaza Rages.” *Jacobin*, February 1, 2024. [https://jacobin.com/2024/02/aipac-donations-israel-gaza-war](https://jacobin.com/2024/02/aipac-donations-israel-gaza-war). - “Who We Are.” _The 10/7 Project_. [https://www.the10-7project.com/#who-we-are](https://www.the10-7project.com/#who-we-are). - Dr. Simcha Katz. “Supporting the Jewish Homeland.” Jewish Action, Summer 2012. [https://jewishaction.com/preidents-message/supporting-the-jewish-homeland/](https://jewishaction.com/preidents-message/supporting-the-jewish-homeland/). - Kampeas, Ron. “Pro-Israel Donor Won’t Moderate AIPAC Panel after Critiquing Muslim Lawmakers.” _Times of Israel_, March 19, 2019. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/pro-israel-donor-wont-speak-at-aipac-after-attacking-muslim-lawmakers/](https://www.timesofisrael.com/pro-israel-donor-wont-speak-at-aipac-after-attacking-muslim-lawmakers/). *Source for Milstein's donations to AIPAC.* - Luke Goldstein. “AIPAC Talking Points Revealed.” The American Prospect, March 14, 2024. [https://prospect.org/2024/03/14/2024-03-14-aipac-talking-points-revealed/](https://prospect.org/2024/03/14/2024-03-14-aipac-talking-points-revealed/). *Includes names of conference speakers* - “AIPAC’s 2019 Policy Conference Opens in Washington.” _Times of Israel_, March 24, 2019. [https://www.timesofisrael.com/aipacs-2019-policy-conference-opens-in-washington/](https://www.timesofisrael.com/aipacs-2019-policy-conference-opens-in-washington/).*Includes names of conference speakers* - Obama, Barack. “Remarks by the President at the AIPAC Policy Conference.” White House, March 4, 2012. [https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2012/03/04/remarks-President-aipac-policy-conference-0](https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2012/03/04/remarks-President-aipac-policy-conference-0). *The speech mentions Ehud Barak and Shimon Peres at the Conference.* - Besser, James. “AIPAC Meets in Fortress Atmosphere.” _Jewish Telegraphic Agency_, April 26, 2002. [https://www.jta.org/2002/04/26/ny/aipac-meets-in-fortress-atmosphere](https://www.jta.org/2002/04/26/ny/aipac-meets-in-fortress-atmosphere). - Clinton, William J. “Remarks to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Policy Conference.” May 7, 1995. [https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-the-american-israel-public-affairs-committee-policy-conference-0](https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-the-american-israel-public-affairs-committee-policy-conference-0). - Lawrence Franklin espionage scandal. _Wikipedia_. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Franklin_espionage_scandal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Franklin_espionage_scandal). - Hagee draws AIPAC cheers. _Jewish Telegraphic Agency_, March 12, 2007. [https://www.jta.org/2007/03/12/default/hagee-draws-aipac-cheers](https://www.jta.org/2007/03/12/default/hagee-draws-aipac-cheers). - Auerbach, Stuart. “U.S., Israel Sign Trade Agreement.” _Washington Post_, April 22, 1985. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1985/04/23/us-israel-sign-trade-agreement/1fe7cf0b-6839-492b-bbba-9bc64831b432/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/business/1985/04/23/us-israel-sign-trade-agreement/1fe7cf0b-6839-492b-bbba-9bc64831b432/). [^1]: ProPublica, “American Israel Public Affairs Committee - Form 990, Schedule R (fiscal year ending September 2024),” [https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/530217164/202542169349301719/IRS990ScheduleR](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/530217164/202542169349301719/IRS990ScheduleR).