Feb 8 • 08:27 UTC 🇶🇦 Qatar Al Jazeera

AIPAC Receives a Strong Blow in New Jersey Elections

AIPAC is facing unprecedented challenges in supporting candidates due to backlash against US support for Israel amid the Gaza conflict, exemplified by recent election results in New Jersey.

AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, is encountering significant difficulties in its traditional role of backing candidates in US elections, especially following the Israeli aggression towards Gaza. The committee has been historically influential in shaping US political support for Israel, but the current geopolitical climate has prompted a shift in voter sentiments against unconditional support for Israel. This change has manifested in electoral outcomes that defy AIPAC's influence, such as the recent victory of Zahran Mamdani, a socialist candidate with an anti-Israel stance, in the New York City mayoral elections.

The preliminary election results in New Jersey's 11th district marked a new low for AIPAC, with candidate Mikie Sherrill winning a key position while AIPAC had poured over $2.3 million to bolster Tom Malinowski, a former member of Congress with ties to the Obama and Biden administrations. AIPAC's support for Tahisha Way, who finished third in the race, further highlights the committee's struggle to maintain its political clout. Additionally, the emergence of leftist candidates like Analia Miachia, who openly criticize Israeli policies, presents a dire scenario for AIPAC, indicating a shift in the political landscape where traditional supporters of Israel may not necessarily reflect voter choices anymore.

As public opinion continues to shift in the wake of ongoing conflicts in the region, AIPAC's challenges could reflect broader transformations in American political dynamics regarding foreign policy and community expectations about social justice. The implications of these elections may signal a larger trend toward progressive candidates who seek to reevaluate the US’s unwavering support for Israel, necessitating AIPAC to reassess its strategies in influencing elections and political agendas moving forward.

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