cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/48650874
Once the guardian of the bipartisan pro-Israel consensus, it is now a polarizing force in the party.
June 12, 2026, 5:01 a.m. ET
When Brad Lander opened his Democratic primary bid for New York’s 10th Congressional District late last year, he made a promise that would once have meant political suicide: He would not do “AIPAC’s bidding” in Washington.
Now the June 23 primary is almost here, and AIPAC has been a recurring theme throughout the campaign. A progressive Jew and self-described liberal Zionist, Lander challenged his opponent, the pro-Israel incumbent Dan Goldman, to take a “people’s pledge” to limit money from super PACs. He has sent a steady stream of text and email blasts comparing AIPAC with Wall Street and crypto — a new, unholy trinity of corrupting influences in democratic politics.
A self–described Zionist turning down AIPAC money seems like he was going to do what they want, anyway, and just wants AIPAC to spend their money on candidates who need to be bought.
Not just any Zionist, a “liberal Zionist”. That means they believe Israel has the right to kill and steal Palestinian land but they need to hide it better like before.