Timon Schneider / SOPA Images SIPAPRE
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC as it is more commonly known, will cease political endorsements and contributions due to the “challenging” 2026 election cycle its political action committee AIPAC PAC has experienced.
Per Jewish Insider, a letter sent from leadership to members read, “To win the fight for the future of the country and the U.S.-Israel alliance, we must build a more strategic, consequential, and nimble political operation. We will prioritize increasing direct, organized contributions from individual Americans to candidates — expanding upon our current efforts — and maximizing the emerging political fundraising tools.”
The letter continued, “Endorsements, direct PAC contributions, and earmarking will no longer be part of our approach so we can expand individual giving and utilize new tools to help our friends win.”
The decision was the result of months of review.
AIPAC’s leadership also noted that “staff and local leaders will continue working” on fundraising campaigns and efforts, and the group will also still suggest candidates for its members to financially back.
AIPAC spokesperson Deryn Sousa told Jewish Insider, “Our measurement of success is the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship. Our members have always been our greatest strength. … We’re putting more time and resources behind what’s most effective: AIPAC members’ direct contributions to candidates and increasing their impact over the next two years.”
Members of AIPAC have donated at least $90 million to candidates this election cycle.
The leadership group, which includes AIPAC President Bernie Kaminetsky, Board Chair Michael Tuchin, President-Elect Yehuda Neuberger, and CEO Elliot Brandt, also said this year’s election cycle has been “one of the most challenging environments in recent memory.”
The group also noted that the “challenges we are confronting will continue to grow in the years ahead, and the 2028 cycle will demand an even stronger commitment by our activists to pro-Israel politics.”
In August Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel raised concerns that Jewish Democrats are being pushed out of the party due to their stance on Israel. “I think it’s a fundamental mistake for the Democratic Party to think that you can just push Jewish Democrats out and simply replace them with any other population,” Nessel said on an episode of The Atlantic’s David Frum Show.
The post AIPAC to Cease Candidate Endorsements and PAC Contributions Due to ‘Challenging’ 2026 Election Cycle first appeared on Mediaite.
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