October 24, 2026
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) announced a broad shift in its political strategy, which requires it to stop granting official support to congressional candidates and stop transferring donations directly from the account of its political action committee. This decision, which goes into effect immediately as a long-term policy, came in the wake of a “strategic review” that lasted several months, according to a report published by journalist Daniel Adelson in the Israeli newspaper “Yedioth Ahronoth.”
With this step, AIPAC ends three election cycles of direct political involvement through its political action committee, shifting towards focusing on collecting direct donations from individuals without its name appearing on the candidates’ financial reports. This change aims to alleviate public and political criticism about the electoral cost associated with obtaining lobby support, after the organization’s official seal turned into a tool used against candidates by activists from the progressive wing and the far right, and prompted legislators such as Senator Cory Booker to refuse to receive donations from it in order to avoid any electoral harm.
In a letter addressed to the organization’s members, bearing the signatures of AIPAC President Bernie Kamenetzky, Board Chairman Michael Tochin, President-elect Yehuda Neuberger, and Executive Director Elliott Brandt, the leadership made it clear that official support, direct donations, and labeling will not be part of the next approach, with the aim of building a more flexible and strategic political process in the face of the complex challenges of the American elections.
Despite this amendment, the organization’s leadership clarified that its independent “super PAC” fund (United Democracy Project) will continue to operate as usual. This fund is a separate entity that is prohibited from coordinating with politicians or transferring money directly to their accounts. However, it has the ability to pump unlimited sums of money into independent advertising campaigns on television and digital platforms to support pro-Israel candidates and confront their opponents.
Darren Sosa, AIPAC’s spokeswoman, explained that during the current session, the organization’s members donated more than $90 million to candidates – including donations through the organization’s portal – compared to only about $3 million transferred directly from the political action committee itself. She pointed out that direct individual donations have proven to be the most effective in strengthening the relationship between the United States and Israel.
This shift comes after tensions and waves of criticism within the Democratic Party, which included AIPAC freezing the fundraising activities of 18 Democratic representatives in the House of Representatives after they voted in favor of reducing security aid to Israel, in addition to protest groups such as TrackAIPAC targeting Jewish donors and labeling their donations as lobby funds. Removing the organization’s official label is expected to make these classifications more difficult, and enable politicians to benefit from the support of individual donors without embarrassment.
Although AIPAC recorded notable successes, represented by the victory of 290 candidates and its contribution to the loss of 29 others who were considered hostile to Israel, it suffered failures in key electoral races. Among them is the failure of her fund to prevent the loss of Congresswoman Haley Stevens to Abdul Sayed in Michigan, and the influence of her campaigns in New Jersey, which paved the way for the victory of progressive candidate Analilia Mejia.
Through these changes, the organization confirms that it is not withdrawing from the American political arena, but rather is repositioning itself to reduce the direct presence of its name on donations, while maintaining strong financing and influence tools that ensure its continued active role in the elections.
