AIPAC Becomes 56% Unfavorable Wedge in New York Primaries as Challengers Target Israel Ties
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 18
AIPAC Becomes 56% Unfavorable Wedge in New York Primaries as Challengers Target Israel Ties
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 18
Summary
Days before New York’s Democratic primaries, AIPAC has become a central line of attack even without confirmed spending in the city’s competitive races.
Brad Lander has made Rep. Dan Goldman’s AIPAC ties a focal point in the 10th District, pledging never to take its money and arguing the group is distorting Democratic politics over Israel and Gaza.
Goldman has acknowledged AIPAC’s endorsement could hurt him, returned some donations and criticized both Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, but says Lander is using misleading anti-AIPAC rhetoric that risks harming Jewish communities.
The same fight has spread to other primaries, with challengers targeting Antonio Reynoso, Adriano Espaillat and allied super PACs over alleged AIPAC links, often without clear evidence.
A recent Justice Democrats poll found 56% of likely Democratic voters in Espaillat’s district viewed AIPAC unfavorably, underscoring how Israel politics now shape progressive primary battles far beyond direct AIPAC spending.
As lobbying escalates, how will the U.S.-Israel defense pact change to avoid public scrutiny?
Where is the line between criticizing a foreign government's advocates and fueling antisemitic prejudice?
From -32 Favorability to "Pariah": AIPAC’s Struggle Amid Democratic Party’s Pro-Palestine Turn and Campaign Finance Backlash
Overview
AIPAC, once a powerful pro-Israel lobbying group, is now facing major challenges within the Democratic Party. Recent polling shows its favorability is sharply declining, especially as Democratic voters increasingly sympathize with Palestinians. This shift is creating a clear disconnect between AIPAC’s agenda and the party’s evolving base. New data from New York’s 17th district highlights this change, with AIPAC receiving a strong negative rating. These trends signal a significant transformation in Democratic attitudes, suggesting that AIPAC’s influence is weakening as the party’s voters move in a new direction.