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Poll after poll shows that the American people across ethnic, religious, and party lines support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and a growing majority say that Israel’s military response to October 7 has gone too far.

Yet in Washington, Israel continues to enjoy the unqualified support of the U.S. government and a steady stream of bombs, guns, and bullets to be used against Palestinians.

Why the disconnect? Follow the money.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, has become the No. 1 biggest outside spender in Democratic primaries, successfully ousting progressive Democrat Andy Levin in 2022 and pledging to spend $100 million to defeat progressives this year.

Meanwhile, after Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson led a fast-track approval of $14 billion in military aid for Israel’s war on Gaza last November, he received $95,000 in campaign contributions from AIPAC.

AIPAC has leveraged this spending to become arguably the most powerful lobbying force in U.S. foreign policy debates. The Intercept has been tracking AIPAC’s activity for years. With over 32,000 dead in Gaza and millions trapped and facing famine, it’s imperative that the American people know the full truth about AIPAC.

Will you make a donation to help continue our investigations into AIPAC and the influence of the pro-Israel lobby in Washington?

It’s impossible to fully understand U.S. policy toward Israel and Gaza without closely scrutinizing the activities and spending of AIPAC, which just this month hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a speech in which he pledged to continue the war in Gaza and dismissed humanitarian concerns about the ghastly civilian death toll.

AIPAC has spent years courting individual members of Congress by funding junkets to Israel through its sister organization, the American Israel Education Foundation. These delegations have become well known on Capitol Hill as a kind of rite of passage for newly elected members, who quickly learn that aligning with AIPAC benefits their campaign coffers.

At the same time, members of Congress who challenge Israel become targets of intense attacks and well-funded challenges. Suffice it to say, there is no remotely comparable pro-Palestinian organization providing a counterweight to AIPAC in D.C.

Despite AIPAC’s tremendous influence, far too many mainstream news outlets ignore the group — or worse, dismiss any criticism of pro-Israel groups as antisemitic.

The Intercept will not be cowed or intimidated. Our investigative reporters will follow the money wherever it leads.

So if you value hard-hitting independent reporting on the war in Gaza, please make a donation to The Intercept today.

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