How AIPAC Controls U.S. Politics

What is AIPAC?
AIPAC is a group in the United States. It supports the country of Israel. AIPAC tries to make U.S. leaders give money and help to Israel.

AIPAC started in the 1950s. Its old name was the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs. Now, it is called AIPAC.

How AIPAC Uses Money

AIPAC spends a lot of money in U.S. elections. It helps candidates who support Israel. It tries to defeat candidates who ask for peace in Palestine or say Israel is doing bad things.

In 2024, AIPAC gave more than $14 million to beat a man named Jamaal Bowman, a congressman from New York. He lost his election. AIPAC also gave money to try to beat other leaders like Cori Bush from Missouri.

AIPAC says it wants to protect Israel. But many people say AIPAC is using money to control U.S. politics.

What AIPAC Does

• AIPAC gives money to candidates.
• It teaches students and young people to support Israel.
• It sends U.S. leaders to visit Israel for free.
• It does not say “vote for this person,” but its friends give money to help some candidates win and others lose.

AIPAC in New York City

AIPAC also gives money in local elections. In 2025, a group linked to AIPAC gave money to people running for New York City Council.

In some small races, just $10,000–$20,000 from AIPAC supporters made a big difference. That money helped candidates get public funds from the city — much more money from the government.

Some of the people AIPAC helped were running against progressive leaders. These leaders had spoken against the war in Gaza and asked for peace for Palestinians.

Still, most of the progressive leaders won their elections.

Why Some People Are Worried

Many people are not happy with what AIPAC is doing. They say:

• AIPAC tries to silence leaders who want peace in Palestine.
• AIPAC uses big money to control elections.
• Most AIPAC donors are rich people from outside the area.
• AIPAC may break rules in local elections.

People want elections to be fair, not controlled by money.

AIPAC is a strong group. It helps some candidates win and tries to make others lose. It uses money to protect Israel. But many Americans say this is not fair. They want leaders who listen to the people, not just big donors.

More people are now watching AIPAC and asking questions. They want free and fair elections — not elections controlled by money.