AIPAC channels millions through shell PACs ahead of US midterm elections
Primary region US
Tags Elections · Media · Policy
Regions US · Middle East
An Al Jazeera analysis found that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has increasingly relied on shell political action committees with opaque or deceptive names to channel millions of dollars into US congressional races, particularly targeting candidates critical of Israel's military operations in Gaza. The strategy represents a significant escalation in pro-Israel lobbying efforts and has drawn scrutiny from campaign finance watchdogs and progressive lawmakers who argue the spending obscures the true source of political influence.
Strategic interpretation
AIPAC's shift to shell PACs reflects the growing political toxicity of overt pro-Israel spending in Democratic primaries, where candidates critical of Israel's Gaza operations have gained traction. The strategy may preserve AIPAC's influence in the short term but risks further polarizing the Israel-Palestine issue in American politics and fueling demands for campaign finance reform. The approach also signals that traditional lobbying groups are adapting to a more fragmented and polarized political landscape.