Musing about AIPAC, Israel and the “Campaigns” Against Them

I recently passed the second anniversary of my becoming what I term “AIPAC Emeritus!” also known as a “former AIPAC employee.” I marked that passage at the time of my departure, with my first The Times of Israel blog piece “”Saying Goodby to AIPAC…But Not to ‘The Cause.’ “

These days, rarely a day goes by without AIPAC being attacked, denounced or denigrated by some Congressman or Senator, Congressional candidates, various “activists” and social medial warriors. Clearly the image of Israel and AIPAC in the eyes of Americans have sadly declined in recent years – at least in part because of Israel or AIPAC’s own, often-necessary actions; in part because of a very-successful campaign against them. In the past two  or three years especially – but the issue has been increasing for several further years: Hatred of Israel and AIPAC and the perceived toxicity of AIPAC – and its supporters – have continued to grow.

Meanwhile the supposed “exposés” of AIPAC continue.  Most recently: Eli Clifton and Ian Lustick’s new book “Israel’s Lobby: America in the Grip of a Foreign Power” And forthcoming from Medhi Hasan’s Zeto News “Night Flower – Inside AIPAC’s Fight For Influence” (premiering next month in Chicago.)

As AIPAC’s “toxicity” has increased; having worked at AIPAC seems to have become a little less of an asset and a little more of “burden” – certainly outside the organized American Jewish community and some “conservative” think tanks or Congressional offices.

I posted on Facebook and LinkedIn a  few days ago about some of my former no-longer AIPAC colleagues (whom I did not name). The post elicited a considerable number of (positive) replies from my former AIPAC colleagues.

“I find it deeply-“unfortunate” and sad to see that some of my former colleagues with whom I once worked with at AIPAC and who have themselves moved on from the organization, don’t list on – or have removed from – their LinkedIn profiles their past AIPAC association. Sign of the times? Reminds me of the future potential “downsides” about having previously worked for AIPAC that were something to consider, when I first joined the organization 40 years ago.”

I’m not going to “out” people who have chosen to go down that path. Each to their own. Presumably they made their decision for career – or possibly safety – reasons. But if one looks carefully; one can find for oneself! Personally I never attempted to hide my AIPAC past – and in fact, I state it clearly. I felt that would preclude  any “Gotcha” responses to my posts. (I of course still get those responses along with those dramatic “I’m blocking you” declarations! (I’ve noticed some haters don’t like it when you respond and refute their posts!) Some of these haters behave as though I still work at AIPAC. I thus get all the opprobrium and none of the rewards!  (Of course this “hiding” of one’s past is not of course restricted to just some former AIPAC employees; it’s true for many “Detractors” as well.)

I decided early in my own AIPAC career that if I attended any event, or sent anyone on my behalf, I would not deny my AIPAC affiliation, even if that at time might prove unpleasant.  I similarly made it a general rule that when I sent around material about any group or individual to provide unedited quotes, absent editorializing, and let the reader decide for themselves what to think about the comments.

I won’t repeat what I said in my “Goodbye AIPAC” piece – or in my various subsequent  Times of Israel blog pieces including my most recent article “What Went Wrong?!” – 40 Years Observing AIPAC From the Inside.”  I think I’ve made pretty clear where I stand! That I was sad and disappointed to be leaving AIPAC; that I didn’t regret devoting almost 40-years to AIPAC; that I’m not ashamed to say I worked at AIPAC; and that if I could do it over; I would do so – albeit with of course, some “lessons learned!” And that of course, I continue to be pro-Israel and pro-AIPAC; albeit it with the freedom to now express my differences and offer suggestions or criticisms or where I differ. A freedom I have taken advantage of – without “going over to the “Dark Side”!

In my time at AIPAC I obviously wasn’t in complete accord with every single action or statement made by either Israel or AIPAC.  But I imagine that’s true to some degree or other for almost every employee at every organization about their employers. While I was at-most, a mid-level AIPAC staffer, I probably held the record for asking the most “pointed” questions to leadership at the weekly staff meetings. Questions that I felt needed to be asked – and which others thanked me for asking. Whether asking those questions enhanced my career prospects; I’m not so certain! (Just as I’m not certain that I am now, AIPAC most-favored “former employee.”)

While AIPAC is these days perceived as being “On The Right” in both US and Israeli politics; I perceive it more as single-minded and focused (for better or worse) and impelled by circumstances to be where it is now.  It’s just a fact beyond the control of AIPAC that for much of the past half-century; Israel has overwhelmingly been led by Likud led governments.  And of course AIPAC has been attacked from both the  pro-Israel left and the right.

If there should become a more Left-leaning Government of Israel adopting different policies; I would envisage that AIPAC would be promoting or defending those policies. Not because they are “directed” do so. But because that’s how AIPAC views its mission as supporting the US-Israel relationship; supporting Congressmen on Left and Right who support that relationship.- unlike say J Street who of course have certain “ideological” positions regarding Israel.

AIPAC’s leadership made the decision a few years ago (with no input from me) to reverse some 60 years of AIPAC policy and engage in direct political giving.  Some in the community, including a few former senior AIPAC officials believed it was the wrong decision. Whether that was the correct decision can of course be debated – albeit it’s somewhat futile to do so – the egg cannot be unscrambled! But there were very rational reasons to do so given the growing “issues” within the Democratic Party regarding Israel.  AIPAC itself was confronting increasing issues with Democrats basically since the lost bitter 2015 JCPOA fight. But the big spending by AIPAC against candidates – and some of the candidates supported or opposed have also had their impact and reactions and perhaps blow back.  And then there are the obvious current major domestic issues in the United States impacting upon this year’s elections.

The third anniversary of October 7th is coming up – and the haters are surging in numbers and impact. At this time it’s good to remember that the Campaign against Israel and AIPAC, long-preceded October 7th and many of the  basic themes we hear today, I was hearing literally decades ago. As should be clear by now: Many of Israel’s “Detractors” are working for the end of Israel. It’s not just Netanyahu or Israel’s actions in Gaza or the West Bank. It’s Israel’s very existence.

Obviously I wouldn’t say Israel or AIPAC have been entirely blameless in how things have reached this point. We can all point to things we feel should or could have been done (or not done.) I personally am an adherent of the old “Kinder and Gentler” AIPAC with less at-least publicly-combative attitudes towards Congressmen and others.  And certainly an awful amount of money has been spent!(At the same time, I was throughout my AIPAC years, a strong advocate of trying to show the reality of Israel’s “Detractors.” See for example my 1997 piece in Middle East Quarterly “Israel’s American Detractors – Back Again.”

Post-AIPAC, I have tried to provide analysis and personal views and have defended Israel and AIPAC, time and time again. But not unquestioningly. There is a certain irony here, given that in my AIPAC years; I didn’t spend a moment of my time defending either! I try to respond to those I disagree with – such as J Street on quite a few occasion; but without adhominems. Of course for better or worse, regardless of how one views J Street; over the past 18 years, J Street has to continued to make inroads within the  Democratic Party and among a fair number of “Mainstream Jews.” As we just saw in today’s September 28th J Street Announcement “J Street Announces Launch of Jewish Communal Advisory Council and Welcomes Rabbi David Saperstein to the J Street Board” (Whatever the reality, there is an irony that J Street may be viewed as being too-Zionist among some anti-Zionist Jews and Progressives.)

With crucial elections in Israel and the United States upcoming; Israel’s “Detractors” (haters) are clearly “feeling their oats.” Obviously the reaction of some in the United States in how they view Israel, including among  American Jews will be to at least degree determinant on who wins in Israel. But that’s really for the people of Israel to decide. And of course the real haters of Israel might actually be hoping for a Netanyahu reelected since it will probably facilitate their campaign. But deep down; it’s hatred for Israel, not hatred of Netanyahu that impels their campaign