AIPAC just dropped a massive money bomb on another progressive Democrat

AIPAC, the most influential pro-Israel lobbying group in Washington, D.C., spent a jaw-dropping $14 million to defeat Rep. Jamaal Bowman in last month’s New York Democratic primary.

Now, they’re dropping millions more to knock out another progressive Democrat: Rep. Cori Bush in St. Louis.

Like Bowman, Bush is one of the only members of Congress to oppose U.S. funding of Israel’s war in Gaza — and AIPAC’s massive spending against them is sending a clear message to others on the Hill: If you dare criticize Israel, you’ll pay for it.

It is absolutely vital that the American people understand how pro-Israel lobbying shapes U.S. policy toward the Middle East — and there isn’t a more wealthy or influential organization than AIPAC.

With less than a week until Bush’s August 6 primary, can you donate $5 and help The Intercept expose the flood of AIPAC money attacking progressives who speak out against Israel’s war on Gaza?

Bush’s opponent Wesley Bell made a name for himself during the Ferguson, Missouri, Black Lives Matter protests following the police shooting of Michael Brown. Riding a wave of outrage after the police officer who shot Brown was not prosecuted, Bell was elected as St. Louis County’s first Black prosecutor in 2018.

Then, after he was elected, he stunned supporters by declining to charge the cop responsible for the killing. Brown’s father and sister just appeared in a campaign ad condemning Bell for lying to the family and using them to gain power.

Fast forward to 2023, and Bell was running against Josh Hawley for the U.S. Senate. But after October 7, AIPAC made it known that there would be significant funding for any Democrat willing to challenge Rep. Cori Bush.

Bell jumped at the chance, and AIPAC has poured millions directly into his campaign, helping him outraise Bush by nearly $2 million.

The effect of this spending goes far beyond these districts, as every Democrat knows they will face similar attacks in the future if they dare challenge Benjamin 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 donate $5 today?

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