Friends,
We’re still hoping to get your name on our petition to show Washington that AIPAC does not speak for all of us -- not even close.
When they promote a right-wing vision for American foreign policy -- and spend massive amounts to defeat mainstream, principled Democratic candidates -- we need everyone to know they’re doing so against the wishes of the overwhelming majority of Jewish and Democratic voters.
Sign Your Name
It’s jaw-dropping.
In less than six months, AIPAC has spent over $22 million to defeat Democrats who don’t fit their right-wing definition of “pro-Israel.”
If candidates have been critical of Israel’s right-wing settlement movement or voiced support for Palestinian freedoms alongside those of Israelis, that’s been enough for AIPAC to brand them “anti-Israel” and launch millions of dollars in ads against them (ads partly paid for by Republican megadonors).
Right now, they’re targeting Michigan Congressman Andy Levin, one of J Street’s greatest friends in Congress.
A proud, progressive Jewish-American and former synagogue president, Levin has strong personal ties to Israel. He has been a leading voice pushing for US policies to truly promote a two-state solution, secure Israel’s future, and defend Palestinian rights.
But for AIPAC, no meaningful pushback against settlements and occupation is acceptable, no matter the motivation behind it. They seem intent on shutting down all dissent -- which is why they’ve labeled Levin “hostile” and vowed to defeat him.
For AIPAC, their drive to enforce a right-wing definition of “pro-Israel” has led them to not only target principled Democrats but to endorse Republican candidates whose extreme actions and rhetoric threaten our democracy and fundamental rights.
That includes 109 candidates who voted to overturn the 2020 election.
As we face unprecedented threats to our goals and freedoms, we need to come together as a community and say loudly and clearly:
AIPAC Doesn’t Speak for Me
Add your name ✍️
While AIPAC claims to be “mainstream,” the reality is that they are deeply out of step with the pro-Israel, pro-peace views of the majority of Jewish Americans and Democratic voters too.
As Andy Levin himself put it in an interview this week: “AIPAC can't stand the idea that I am the strongest Jewish voice in Congress standing for a simple proposition: There’s no way to have a secure, democratic homeland for the Jewish people unless we achieve the political and human rights of the Palestinian people.”
“AIPAC’s completely gone off the rails and is trying to end my career because I won't fall in line with their view of what it means to be pro-Israel,” he told MSNBC. “Think what this means if the Democratic party allows Republican billionaires to come in here and dominate Democratic primaries.”
If this isn’t the future you want for the Democratic party, for our democracy or for American foreign policy, please add your name to our petition now.
AIPAC Doesn’t Speak for Me
Add your name ✍️
Thank you, sincerely, for your support.
Laura Birnbaum
National Political Director, J Street
