AIPAC Exerts Broad Influence on US Democrats Amid Gaza War Inaction

Progressive Democratic leaders have faced criticism for their reluctance to take decisive legislative action against US military aid to Israel amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, with many accused of being influenced by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Despite grassroots opposition and a growing public disapproval of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, the Democratic National Committee recently rejected a resolution calling for an arms embargo on Israel and support for a Palestinian state. AIPAC's significant financial contributions to numerous members of Congress, including prominent Democrats, have been cited as a key factor in the party's silence and inaction, even as public opinion shifts sharply against Israel's actions. Efforts in Congress include amendments related to Israel in the National Defense Authorization Act, with some lawmakers pushing for terms that align with Israeli government perspectives and others calling for aid surges and ceasefires. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, marked by starvation and violence, has intensified calls from activists and politicians like Representative Rashida Tlaib to remove AIPAC's influence from US politics, highlighting a deep divide between public sentiment and political leadership. Meanwhile, the brief ceasefire in early 2025, facilitated by bipartisan US efforts, failed to resolve the conflict's underlying issues, and conditions in Gaza have since deteriorated, with reports of increased Israeli military aggression and continuing suffering among Palestinians.