Why you need AIPAC… and why AIPAC needs you

About 66 million years ago, the Cretaceous-Paleogene meteor impacted earth near the Yucatan Peninsula. This “extinction event” wiped out the dinosaurs and almost three-quarters of all living species. The prehistoric creatures had no idea what was happening or how to protect themselves.

Millennia later, actor Bruce Willis, playing the fictional hero of the exciting film Armageddon, destroyed the oncoming meteor and saved all humanity.

Why do you need AIPAC?

Now, American Jews and supporters of Israel face another impending crisis. With the surging Jew-hatred from around the globe coupled with the rise in antisemitic violence here at home, Congress, with its legislative power, is being invaded by a growing number of antisemitic and anti-Zionist members. Congress could become radicalized and Islamified like the UK’s Parliament.

Many American Jews care about Israel and agonize over their struggle battling the monsters on their borders. And they are concerned about their Jewish family’s safety. But they are woefully unaware or foolishly dismissive of a real danger careening in their direction from a rise in governmental acceptance of anti-Israel and antisemitic hate. They have become comfortable living in a golden age in America, and they do not see the signs of unhappy changes. It is what the German historian Joachim Fest pointed out in his memoir Not I, when talking about complacent pre-war Berlin Jews. He warned, “They lost their instinct for danger that had preserved them through the ages.”

We should be shocked by the anti-Zionism venom spewed by members of Congress. We must question what’s happening with the evil presence of the Squad in Congress and the soon-to-be-election of socialist Zohran Mamdani as the NYC mayor who called the Palestinian cause central to his identity.

America stands alone among nations as a loyal and strong ally of Israel. America and Israel share a Judeo-Christian heritage and robust democratic values. Because American policy and power derive from both Congress and the Executive Office there is a desperate struggle underway for the heart and soul of these American governmental institutions.

In each election cycle, the delicate balance of power in Congress and the White House affects Israel and the Jewish community. Loss of advocates would be catastrophic.

Over the past two decades, Congress has approved funding nearly $70 Billion of support for Israel to ensure her qualitative military edge. We have also seen presidents display various levels of resolve to fight alongside Israel and against antisemitism. While there have always been detractors, the rise of the Squad with their radical views reflects their dangerous binary oppressor-oppressed identity’s mindset.

Israel’s recent seven front war required American support. Besides armaments for Israel, Congress and the president have, in varying degrees, legislated against antisemitism and have been the diplomatic bulwark resisting the overwhelming anti-Israel forces at the United Nations. At the same time, the relationship between Israel and America has yielded unparalleled commercial, technological and intelligence benefits for both countries.

We should be appalled by the post October 7th pro-Palestinian/Hamas keffiyeh clad rioters causing chaos on American streets and campuses. We should be terrified that the murder of Jews like at the Pittsburgh Tree of Life and Poway synagogues are becoming almost routine. It is Congress that needs to legislate how America protects the rights of its Jewish citizens

The single best weapon for Jews and pro-Israel citizens to lobby Congress and to financially support incumbents and candidates for elected office is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). There are many other good organizations chartered to address other worthwhile Jewish and Israeli issues and causes, but the most successful, focused and capable to affect meaningful support is AIPAC.

In the last few weeks Rep. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) announced as a badge of honor that he wouldn’t accept any new donations or support from AIPAC and that he was returning the pro-Israel organization’s prior donations. His flimsy excuse was dissatisfaction with Israel’s leaders. Graham Platner, the Democrat candidate for US Senate in Maine, was outed for his Nazi symbol skull and crossbones tattooed on his chest. Platner has focused on the Israel-Hamas war, charging Israel with committing “genocide” in Gaza. He also promised not to take any money from AIPAC.

There is a raft of detractors, both Republicans and Democrats, lining up for congressional primaries or campaigning to retain their seats. State seats are up for grabs too. Their speeches and position papers reveal “blood libel” calumny including genocide, famine, civilian casualties, need for Boycott-Divestiture-Sanctions, and foreign aid abuse. Their dislike for AIPAC is prominently announced. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie from Kentucky, in a diatribe about debunked claims about civilian casualties in Gaza, is on record stating, “…we should end all U.S. military air to Israel now.”

In past election cycles, other anti-Israel candidates and the Squad have lost due to AIPAC’s advocacy for their competitors. The anti-Zionist political careers of Corey Bush and Jamaal Bowman came to an end. Both blame their loss on AIPAC. They are correct.

Franklin D. Roosevelt once stated, “I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made.” Of the alphabet soup of Jewish organizations, arrayed from AJC to ZOA, it is AIPAC that these haters most fear. AIPAC should be very proud.

Why AIPAC needs you?

In 2024 AIPAC supported 361 pro-Israel Democrats and Republicans, and defeated 24 who would have undermined the U.S.-Israel relationship. But the cost of campaigns is skyrocketing.

AIPAC is expert in finding and supporting worthy candidates who are proponents of Israel and the Jewish community. Support for AIPAC and its political action committee portals in 2024 raised over $130 million. In 2026 and 2028, the need will likely double.

People supporting AIPAC must understand.

– AIPAC is not too far Left or too far Right. AIPAC must eliminate anti-Israel candidates from both political extremes. AIPAC goes beyond the bipartisanship needed to pass legislation; more importantly, it advances the American-Israel relationship by defeating detractors and elevating advocates.

-You do not have to “get involved with politics.” AIPAC will handle the complexities of candidate vetting, lobbying, and fundraising for primaries and elections. AIPAC does the hard work, and they are respected subject matter experts.

-Israel is a vibrant democracy with a successful capitalist economy, and it is imperfect. People might not like all of Israel’s policies, or Bibi or whoever is in charge. The universities peddle propaganda instead of education and the media presents disinformation that castigates Israel and her leaders. AIPAC helps us avoid the distractions and stay focused on the existential threats and the long-term objectives.

-People want to support other philanthropies…ambulances, soldiers, schools, hospitals, etc. Yes, all these are important but ensuring the military and diplomatic strength of Israel is the first row of alligators that must be delt with. It is a necessity. AIPAC should be well represented in your portfolio of worthy causes.

There are 535 members of Congress– Senators and Representatives. There are elections every two years, and the turnover rate is greater than ever. While you can apply your citizen’s right to vote, by joining AIPAC and investing as a political action donor your impact will be supercharged.

Become a fighter and a part of the solution. Their website is www.aipac.org