In this file photo from 2023, American and Israeli flags fill a field in Boston, Massachusetts.
Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
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Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images
The pro-Israel political organization AIPAC, or American Israel Public Affairs Committee, announced Wednesday that it would no longer issue endorsements, make direct contributions to the PAC or direct funds to candidates.
A long-time influential lobbying group, AIPAC began its direct political involvement five years ago. Since then, and particularly during this midterm election cycle, AIPAC has faced increasing resistance. The group has been criticized for its positions on various issues, including the wars in Gaza and Iran.
AIPAC-backed candidates have also faced strong opposition from both the right and the left for accepting the organization’s support and financial contributions, as public opinion on U.S.-Israel relations has shifted. To appease critics, some AIPAC-backed candidates said they would not accept any money from the organization.
AIPAC first announced the changes in a letter to its members, stating that “the challenges we face will continue to grow in the years to come.” In the letter, AIPAC said it would not stop funneling money to candidates who fit the group’s mission by leveraging individual donors.
“We will prioritize increasing direct, organized contributions from individual Americans to candidates – expanding our current efforts – and maximizing emerging political fundraising tools,” the letter said.
The letter adds that the 2028 cycle “will require an even stronger commitment from our activists to pro-Israel policy.” As a result, the group plans to increase its support “for Republicans and Democrats who advance policies that strengthen the U.S. alliance with Israel and who oppose anti-Israel legislation.”
In a statement to NPR, AIPAC spokesperson Deryn Sousa said the group’s mission and strategy remain the same despite the changes.
“Our goal is to strengthen support for the U.S.-Israel relationship. AIPAC members have donated more than $90 million directly to candidates this cycle, and organized and direct donations from our members will continue and increase.”
AIPAC contributed nearly $25 million to candidates and political committees in 2026 through Sept. 30, according to FEC filings. Its affiliated super PAC United Democracy Project contributed $13 million to candidates and political committees and spent another $53.5 million on independent expenditures.
AIPAC confirmed to NPR that its affiliated super PAC, United Democracy Project, will continue to operate and will be able to raise an unlimited amount of money. He has spent considerable sums supporting pro-Israel candidates and opposing those critical of Israel.
In recent days, several independent individual super PAC expenditures have been used to campaign against Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate from Michigan.
AIPAC also spent a lot of money campaigning against El-Sayed in the primaries, supporting his opponent, Rep. Haley Stevens. The Michigan Senate race is just one of several high-profile elections that AIPAC has spent favoring a pro-Israel politician or against someone the organization views as less favorable to Israel.
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