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Tuesday, March 24, 2026
AIPAC pushes back after Democratic presidential hopefuls reject its support
Luke Tress is The Times of Israel's New York correspondent.
The US pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC pushes back after Democrats considering campaigns for the US presidency reject its support.
“AIPAC has never given to a presidential campaign,” the group says in a statement. “Millions of Democrats are AIPAC members who will support candidates that best reflect their values, including a strong US-Israel partnership.”
“Singling out and excluding millions of pro-Israel Democrats is wrong and undemocratic,” the statement says.
The statement comes in response to a report from the Politico news site about Democratic legislators disavowing any support from AIPAC, including some who are weighing a 2028 presidential run.
The lawmakers who have rejected AIPAC include New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel and Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, says he has never taken or solicited support from AIPAC.
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