Saying Goodby to AIPAC…But Not to ‘The Cause’

(Image courtesy of author)

Last week, I sadly said goodbye to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) after almost 40 years as AIPAC’s “Director of Policy Analysis” (a job far-less senior than the title might imply!)

At the time of my departure, I was one of the organization’s longest-serving staffers; having spent virtually my entire working life at AIPAC – a period which encompassed more than half the time that AIPAC has existed.

AIPAC had always been the number one place I wanted to work. And my specific focus at AIPAC was the number one thing I wanted to do. And so for almost 40 years, I was fortunate – even blessed – to be able to do so, even as the organization grew and evolved and people came and departed – and not-infrequently even returned. AIPAC’s soon-to-be Chief Executive Officer, Elliot Brandt was himself an AIPAC Intern early in my time at AIPAC)

I still remember my sense of awe and excitement when I first visited the old AIPAC offices. And throughout my years at AIPAC; I never-felt that what I was doing was just a job. It was more of a mission – which is why I got up early – very early!; worked on weekends and saw untold number of “use them or lose them” vacation days, expire unused.

As I used to tell my children when they were young; My job at AIPAC was “helping to save the Jewish people!” That might have been pretentious; but it was how I genuinely felt – and how I continue to feel. Accordingly, I had no interest in following the more-usual Washington DC career path of switching jobs every few years to climb a career ladder. I simply wasn’t interested in doing anything other than what I did. (And I believe I did the job pretty-well and with integrity.)

I have not a single regret at having worked at AIPAC. If I had to make that choice again; I would do so in a heartbeat. If I could have stayed longer; I would have done so. And I certainly have no intent to hide or downplay my career with AIPAC – were that even possible!

Over the years, I experienced the various highs and lows with respect to Israel in its relationships with its neighbors; the US-Israel relationship; and of course various AIPAC-related matters. Over the years, there have been some wonderful moments of hope that peace was at hand for Israel. There have also been times of deep concern concern and despair. I was at AIPAC doing the First and Second Intifadas and the 1991 Gulf War, when Saddam Hussein fired rockets at Israel. I have been at AIPAC during a slew of terror attacks, bus bombings and of course several small (and not-so-small wars.) And of course, almost one year ago was October 7th.

As a child I took for granted: If you were a Jew; You were obviously a Zionist and sympathetic towards Israel – albeit perhaps not uncritically. (While I wish this was still the case; obviously it often is not.) I had been to Israel twice as a child, prior to the 1967 Six Day War. I have vivid memories of experiencing first the despair and then the euphoria of 1967; and then the truly-dark first few days of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, when one actually had hitherto-unimaginable thoughts of a world without Israel. (A fear which these days again seeps to the surface of the consciousness.) And of course Entebbe in 1976.

In the mid-1970s; I spent two years on Kibbutz Kfar Blum in Northern Israel (where I met my future wife) at a time when Palestinian terrorists based in Lebanon threatened Israel and the United Nations declared Zionism was Racism and Yasser Arafat spoke at the UN.

In my years at AIPAC; I witnessed numerous “criticisms” of Israel, supporters of Israel and AIPAC. But the public expressions of hatred of Israel, “Zionism” and AIPAC are now greater and more-vitriolic than ever.

Like probably any staffer at any organization, I won’t deny that during my four decades at AIPAC; there might have been actions or policies of AIPAC (or Israel) which I might not have fully-agreed with. (As of course has been true of my view of certain US policies or actions over the years.)

But my four decades at AIPAC and my six decades of supporting Israel, while acknowledging certain flaws; hasn’t made me one iota any less supportive of, or committed to this sacred and noble cause.

I have a surreal sense that I’m leaving AIPAC before the play is over – even though I recognize that this several-thousand year old saga which hopefully will never be over will (hopefully) never be over. Certainly, despite all my years at AIPAC; I wasn’t really ready to leave!

Looking to the future: I have long said that if and when the day came that I was no longer at AIPAC; I would continue  with the same kind-of-work, either elsewhere or in a private capacity.

Whatever develops; I don’t intend to step away from this sacred fight; from this sense of mission. Especially at a time when visceral hatred against Israel and supporters of Israel (and really Jews) is so high. Anti-Zionism and yes antisemitism.

As Edmund Burke famously said “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,” So each of us who can contribute in some way to this fight; should continue to do so.

In the words of Senator Edward Kennedy as he exited from the 1980 Democratic Presidential Nomination race; “The work goes on. The cause endures. The hope still lives. And the dream shall never die.” I shall follow such words.

For many years, I had on my office wall, the quote from Genesis: “I will bless those that bless thee, and curse him that curse thee.” I now have that quote in my home office. I certainly hope that it’s true!