The surprising topic AIPAC isn’t focusing on in campaign ads: Israel

[pppolitics]

The most prominent pro-Israel group in American politics has promised to pour tens of millions of dollars into this year’s elections. But it’s mostly not talking about Israel.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee has entered several congressional races so far, attacking some candidates and boosting their own. But the topic of Israel has come up only minimally, in a handful of Republican races. And the group hasn’t talked about Israel in Democratic primaries at all.

On Thursday, the group’s super PAC, United Democracy Project, released its first ads in one of the most competitive Democratic primaries this year — and one the Israel-Hamas war has been hovering over. And once again, it focused on other topics.

“Jamaal Bowman has his own agenda and refuses to compromise — even with President Biden,” says the first television ad from the super PAC, knocking him for voting against the bipartisan infrastructure bill and debt limit deal.

Bowman, a member of the progressive “Squad” and a staunch supporter of Palestinians, is facing a primary challenge in New York from AIPAC-backed Westchester County Executive George Latimer next month. Another UDP ad released on Thursday touts Latimer as someone who “will take on MAGA extremists” and “work with President Biden to keep delivering progressive results” on infrastructure, gun violence prevention and abortion rights.

[...]

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/17/aipac-campaign-ads-israel-00158567

[pppolitics]

That tells you right there how popular (or rather, unpopular) Israel is.

[SInNYC]

This is very true. Starting a couple of days back, we here are being bombarded with TV ads that basically say 'Latimer is the progressive, Bowman voted against Biden'.

And of course, I doubt most watchers know that UDP is actually AIPAC.

[Crumpets]

I don't think they're from AIPAC, but I have been getting occasional pro-Israel ads. They're pretty inoffensive and generally focus more on anti-Semitic hate crimes or "what you don't know about Hamas."

[MyLifeIsYours]

Not much has change from 1988 when his segment was presented on 60 Minutes.

 https://twitter.com/SomeBitchIIKnow/status/1788934737991475495

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

That tells you right there how popular (or rather, unpopular) Israel is.

Not really.  It just tells you there are, unsurprisingly, far more effective lines of attack against a doofus like Jamaal Bowman or Cori Bush.

[dead0man]

is this like David Duke complaining that the NAACP isn't focusing on Africa?

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

That tells you right there how popular (or rather, unpopular) Israel is.

Not really.  It just tells you there are, unsurprisingly, far more effective lines of attack against a doofus like Jamaal Bowman or Cori Bush.

Yeah, Bowman in particular has given Latimer so many openings. Why try to relitigate the minutae of a complicated war half a world away when you can hit your opponent for being an antisemitic, radical conspiracy theorist who isn't even working for the best interests of his party?

[wnwnwn]

They are funding Latimer, who runs his campaing in the way he sees conveninent.

That tells you right there how popular (or rather, unpopular) Israel is.

Not really.  It just tells you there are, unsurprisingly, far more effective lines of attack against a doofus like Jamaal Bowman or Cori Bush.

Latimer has already the jewish and the moderate vote with him, he iss now trying to appeal the "sensible progressive" crowd.

[Anti Democrat Democrat Club]

Not a surprise. AIPAC never really focused on Israel - just mainstream Dem issues and support for the Dem line. If I wanted to win a Democratic primary, I would simply not talk about voting third party.

There are ways to counter this line of attack (see: Summer Lee, Rashida Tlaib), so it is not as crippling of a disadvantage as it is. If I wanted to win a Democratic primary, I would simply not donate to Republicans. I would also build roots in my local community.

[pppolitics]

Not much has change from 1988 when his segment was presented on 60 Minutes.

 https://twitter.com/SomeBitchIIKnow/status/1788934737991475495

Isaiah L. Kenen, the founder of AIPAC (and AZC), was registered as a foreign agent of Israel under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA).

Kenen was also the chief information officer for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The American Zionist Council (AZC), the predecessor of AIPAC, was forced under Kennedy to registered as a foreign agent.

After Kennedy died, the issue dropped of the political radar and AZC reorganized itself as AIPAC.

AIPAC has managed to evade being registered as a foreign agent ever since.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

Not much has change from 1988 when his segment was presented on 60 Minutes.

 https://twitter.com/SomeBitchIIKnow/status/1788934737991475495

Isaiah L. Kenen, the founder of AIPAC (and AZC), was registered as a foreign agent of Israel under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA).

Kenen was also the chief information officer for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The American Zionist Council (AZC), the predecessor of AIPAC, was forced under Kennedy to registered as a foreign agent.

After Kennedy died, the issue dropped of the political radar and AZC reorganized itself as AIPAC.

AIPAC has managed to evade being registered as a foreign agent ever since.

So what you're saying is that the predecessor of AIPAC was run by Israelis, and was as such registered as a foreign agent.

Meanwhile, AIPAC is run by Americans advocating for our alliance with Israel.

The "AIPAC is a foreign agent" talking point comes from the far-right.

[pppolitics]

Not much has change from 1988 when his segment was presented on 60 Minutes.

 https://twitter.com/SomeBitchIIKnow/status/1788934737991475495

Isaiah L. Kenen, the founder of AIPAC (and AZC), was registered as a foreign agent of Israel under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA).

Kenen was also the chief information officer for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The American Zionist Council (AZC), the predecessor of AIPAC, was forced under Kennedy to registered as a foreign agent.

After Kennedy died, the issue dropped of the political radar and AZC reorganized itself as AIPAC.

AIPAC has managed to evade being registered as a foreign agent ever since.

So what you're saying is that the predecessor of AIPAC was run by Israelis, and was as such registered as a foreign agent.

Meanwhile, AIPAC is run by Americans advocating for our alliance with Israel.

The "AIPAC is a foreign agent" talking point comes from the far-right.

I am saying that AIPAC should be registered as a foreign agent under FARA.

[Horus]

Not much has change from 1988 when his segment was presented on 60 Minutes.

 https://twitter.com/SomeBitchIIKnow/status/1788934737991475495

Isaiah L. Kenen, the founder of AIPAC (and AZC), was registered as a foreign agent of Israel under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA).

Kenen was also the chief information officer for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The American Zionist Council (AZC), the predecessor of AIPAC, was forced under Kennedy to registered as a foreign agent.

After Kennedy died, the issue dropped of the political radar and AZC reorganized itself as AIPAC.

AIPAC has managed to evade being registered as a foreign agent ever since.

So what you're saying is that the predecessor of AIPAC was run by Israelis, and was as such registered as a foreign agent.

Meanwhile, AIPAC is run by Americans advocating for our alliance with Israel.

The "AIPAC is a foreign agent" talking point comes from the far-right.

The origin of a talking point does not confirm nor deny the accuracy of said talking point.

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

Not much has change from 1988 when his segment was presented on 60 Minutes.

 https://twitter.com/SomeBitchIIKnow/status/1788934737991475495

Isaiah L. Kenen, the founder of AIPAC (and AZC), was registered as a foreign agent of Israel under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA).

Kenen was also the chief information officer for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The American Zionist Council (AZC), the predecessor of AIPAC, was forced under Kennedy to registered as a foreign agent.

After Kennedy died, the issue dropped of the political radar and AZC reorganized itself as AIPAC.

AIPAC has managed to evade being registered as a foreign agent ever since.

So what you're saying is that the predecessor of AIPAC was run by Israelis, and was as such registered as a foreign agent.

Meanwhile, AIPAC is run by Americans advocating for our alliance with Israel.

The "AIPAC is a foreign agent" talking point comes from the far-right.

I am saying that AIPAC should be registered as a foreign agent under FARA.

Then you are agreeing with the far right that American Jews who support Israel are foreign agents, and that's a patently obvious antisemitic stereotype based around the dual loyalty myth.

[Horus]

Not much has change from 1988 when his segment was presented on 60 Minutes.

 https://twitter.com/SomeBitchIIKnow/status/1788934737991475495

Isaiah L. Kenen, the founder of AIPAC (and AZC), was registered as a foreign agent of Israel under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA).

Kenen was also the chief information officer for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The American Zionist Council (AZC), the predecessor of AIPAC, was forced under Kennedy to registered as a foreign agent.

After Kennedy died, the issue dropped of the political radar and AZC reorganized itself as AIPAC.

AIPAC has managed to evade being registered as a foreign agent ever since.

So what you're saying is that the predecessor of AIPAC was run by Israelis, and was as such registered as a foreign agent.

Meanwhile, AIPAC is run by Americans advocating for our alliance with Israel.

The "AIPAC is a foreign agent" talking point comes from the far-right.

I am saying that AIPAC should be registered as a foreign agent under FARA.

Then you are agreeing with the far right that American Jews who support Israel are foreign agents, and that's a patently obvious antisemitic stereotype based around the dual loyalty myth.

AIPAC members care about Israel more than America. Unequivocally. Same for CUFI. Of course, the vast majority of American Jews are not AIPAC members. JStreet would never pull crap like this.

[Indy Texas]

This really isn't all that shocking or unprecedented.

When interest groups that want to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits, abolish the inheritance tax and make it easier to dump coal ash and fracking fluid in public waterways try to prevent people who oppose those things from getting elected, they don't say, "State Senator Smith's problem is that he wants you to have healthcare in retirement and have water that's safe to drink." They say, "State Senator Smith is a radical liberal elitist who wants to take away your guns, abort babies, and stand with those who kneel during the national anthem."

Israel/Palestine simply isn't a priority one way or another for the overwhelming majority of people, and the people for whom it is are not persuadable. So you focus on getting the politicians who agree with you on that issue elected or defeated via other means.

[wnwnwn]

Not much has change from 1988 when his segment was presented on 60 Minutes.

 https://twitter.com/SomeBitchIIKnow/status/1788934737991475495

Isaiah L. Kenen, the founder of AIPAC (and AZC), was registered as a foreign agent of Israel under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA).

Kenen was also the chief information officer for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The American Zionist Council (AZC), the predecessor of AIPAC, was forced under Kennedy to registered as a foreign agent.

After Kennedy died, the issue dropped of the political radar and AZC reorganized itself as AIPAC.

AIPAC has managed to evade being registered as a foreign agent ever since.

So what you're saying is that the predecessor of AIPAC was run by Israelis, and was as such registered as a foreign agent.

Meanwhile, AIPAC is run by Americans advocating for our alliance with Israel.

The "AIPAC is a foreign agent" talking point comes from the far-right.

I am saying that AIPAC should be registered as a foreign agent under FARA.

Then you are agreeing with the far right that American Jews who support Israel are foreign agents, and that's a patently obvious antisemitic stereotype based around the dual loyalty myth.

AIPAC members care about Israel more than America. Unequivocally. Same for CUFI. Of course, the vast majority of American Jews are not AIPAC members. JStreet would never pull crap like this.

AIPAC staffers? Surely

AIPAC backed Congressmembers? Nah, they just suppoet Israel when the AIPAC demand it. The reat of the time they focus on other issues.
Look at Latimer: an experiences politician who can be considered a generic D, who can campaing as "pragmatic progressive" while still being clearly to the roght of Bowman. He needs the zionist vote, but he won't be "the new Torres" or anything like that.

On the case of Torres, he is either being WELL played, a sincere Zionist (the ones that are one staters in their heart) or a careerist that is looking to the next Senate election.

[Crumpets]

I don't think they're from AIPAC, but I have been getting occasional pro-Israel ads. They're pretty inoffensive and generally focus more on anti-Semitic hate crimes or "what you don't know about Hamas."

Just got one of these again and noticed the link is to the website for this place: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Fellowship_of_Christians_and_Jews

[lfromnj]

That tells you right there how popular (or rather, unpopular) Israel is.

Not really.  It just tells you there are, unsurprisingly, far more effective lines of attack against a doofus like Jamaal Bowman or Cori Bush.

Yup in the end Israel isn’t really a deciding vote for anyone in Cori Bush’s seat and in Bowman’s case it’s already well know so those voters are decided . However a lot of swing voters may not like other stuff they did .

[Stand With Israel. Crush Hamas]

Not much has change from 1988 when his segment was presented on 60 Minutes.

 https://twitter.com/SomeBitchIIKnow/status/1788934737991475495

Isaiah L. Kenen, the founder of AIPAC (and AZC), was registered as a foreign agent of Israel under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA).

Kenen was also the chief information officer for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The American Zionist Council (AZC), the predecessor of AIPAC, was forced under Kennedy to registered as a foreign agent.

After Kennedy died, the issue dropped of the political radar and AZC reorganized itself as AIPAC.

AIPAC has managed to evade being registered as a foreign agent ever since.

So what you're saying is that the predecessor of AIPAC was run by Israelis, and was as such registered as a foreign agent.

Meanwhile, AIPAC is run by Americans advocating for our alliance with Israel.

The "AIPAC is a foreign agent" talking point comes from the far-right.

I am saying that AIPAC should be registered as a foreign agent under FARA.

Then you are agreeing with the far right that American Jews who support Israel are foreign agents, and that's a patently obvious antisemitic stereotype based around the dual loyalty myth.

AIPAC members care about Israel more than America. Unequivocally. Same for CUFI. Of course, the vast majority of American Jews are not AIPAC members. JStreet would never pull crap like this.

AIPAC staffers? Surely

AIPAC backed Congressmembers? Nah, they just suppoet Israel when the AIPAC demand it. The reat of the time they focus on other issues.
Look at Latimer: an experiences politician who can be considered a generic D, who can campaing as "pragmatic progressive" while still being clearly to the roght of Bowman. He needs the zionist vote, but he won't be "the new Torres" or anything like that.

On the case of Torres, he is either being WELL played, a sincere Zionist (the ones that are one staters in their heart) or a careerist that is looking to the next Senate election.

It's likely a combo of the last two, plus being a pissed-off gay black man who was singled out for special abuse by these activists. I think it's personal for him now, in kind of the opposite way it is for McCollum after she was offended by AIPAC years back.

[It’s so Joever]

is this like David Duke complaining that the NAACP isn't focusing on Africa?

Except AIPAC is explicitly focused on Israel, the NAACP is explicitly focused on African AMERICANS.

[dead0man]

is this like David Duke complaining that the NAACP isn't focusing on Africa?

Except AIPAC is explicitly focused on Israel, the NAACP is explicitly focused on African AMERICANS.

yeah, I realized the easy come back when I typed it, still, it was too good to pass up (and I couldn't come up with a better one)

[Schiff for Senate]

Not much has change from 1988 when his segment was presented on 60 Minutes.

 https://twitter.com/SomeBitchIIKnow/status/1788934737991475495

Isaiah L. Kenen, the founder of AIPAC (and AZC), was registered as a foreign agent of Israel under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA).

Kenen was also the chief information officer for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The American Zionist Council (AZC), the predecessor of AIPAC, was forced under Kennedy to registered as a foreign agent.

After Kennedy died, the issue dropped of the political radar and AZC reorganized itself as AIPAC.

AIPAC has managed to evade being registered as a foreign agent ever since.

So what you're saying is that the predecessor of AIPAC was run by Israelis, and was as such registered as a foreign agent.

Meanwhile, AIPAC is run by Americans advocating for our alliance with Israel.

The "AIPAC is a foreign agent" talking point comes from the far-right.

I am saying that AIPAC should be registered as a foreign agent under FARA.

Then you are agreeing with the far right that American Jews who support Israel are foreign agents, and that's a patently obvious antisemitic stereotype based around the dual loyalty myth.

Not all American Jews are supporters of AIPAC.

What's outrageous is not the point the OP made, but rather, your equivalence between being a Jew in America and supporting the goals of AIPAC. There are plenty of Jews who don't.

[Badger]

is this like David Duke complaining that the NAACP isn't focusing on Africa?

No, because aipac has from the get-go been an advocacy voice for stronger American Israeli relations, whereas the NAACP of course has been a preeminent voice for opposing depression of African-Americans in this country. But I suspect you already knew that and were playing the edge Lord card again.