Will you chip in $5 to help expose AIPAC?

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, is spending an eye-watering $7 million against New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman, a progressive member of the Squad who has been among the few legislators to fight against letting Israel use U.S. weapons to target civilians.

AIPAC’s super PAC is funded in large part by Republican billionaires. And with less than three weeks to go before the June 25 New York primary, AIPAC and other anti-Bowman outside groups are outspending his supporters by nearly 10 to 1.

It is absolutely vital that the American people understand the influence of money in politics — especially in shaping the bipartisan consensus that enables the ongoing slaughter of Palestinians by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

With just weeks before this critical primary, will you donate $5 to help The Intercept follow the money and expose AIPAC and the flood of pro-Israel money that’s fueling the war on Gaza?

While AIPAC claims to take a position on only one issue — Israel — the ad attacking Bowman makes no mention of Israel or Gaza. Instead, it makes dubious claims about Bowman’s record on issues like Social Security and clean drinking water.

This has become a hallmark of AIPAC’s negative attack ads. Rather than clearly making the case for their candidate on their issues, they run ads under the bland-sounding banner of “United Democracy Project” and attack Democrats on issues that AIPAC doesn’t advocate for or even have a position on.

Bowman’s opponent, George Latimer, was recruited to run by AIPAC and has received huge contributions directly from the group. As a result, Latimer’s campaign has raised $3.6 million so far to Bowman’s $2.7 million with the help of Republican donors — almost a quarter of it bundled by AIPAC. In the last quarter of 2023, almost half of Latimer’s contributions came through AIPAC.

AIPAC has proven that they have the financial muscle to defeat progressive Democrats. For instance, last cycle they spent $8 million to defeat Jewish progressive Democrat Rep. Andy Levin in Michigan, and just last month they spent $4.1 million to help their candidate win the primary in Maryland’s heavily blue 3rd Congressional District.

The effect of this spending goes far beyond these districts, as every Democrat knows that they will face similar attacks in the future if they dare challenge Netanyahu’s ongoing slaughter in Gaza or call for limits on U.S. military aid to Israel.

But most major news outlets will never cover AIPAC the way they cover other big-money special interest groups. The Intercept will, and it’s your donations that provide the funding that powers our reporting and keeps us fully independent.

The Intercept’s hard-hitting investigative journalism relies on your support. Will you make a donation today?

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