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Israel Lobby Convenes in Washington Amid Fraying Bipartisanship and Rising Tension Israel Lobby Convenes in Washington Amid Fraying Bipartisanship and Rising Tension
(about 1 hour later)
WASHINGTON — More than 18,000 activists will converge in Washington on Sunday for the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, as Democrats wrestle with the left’s rising criticism of Israel and as President Trump seeks to divide his political rivals while bolstering Israel’s embattled leader.WASHINGTON — More than 18,000 activists will converge in Washington on Sunday for the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, as Democrats wrestle with the left’s rising criticism of Israel and as President Trump seeks to divide his political rivals while bolstering Israel’s embattled leader.
In some respects, the three-day Aipac conference will look much as it has in years past. American and Israeli luminaries will speak, including Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Mr. Netanyahu’s main challenger in Israel’s election next month, Benny Gantz. It will wrap up on Tuesday with a “lobbying day,” when thousands of activists will flock to Capitol Hill to press Aipac’s legislative agenda.In some respects, the three-day Aipac conference will look much as it has in years past. American and Israeli luminaries will speak, including Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Mr. Netanyahu’s main challenger in Israel’s election next month, Benny Gantz. It will wrap up on Tuesday with a “lobbying day,” when thousands of activists will flock to Capitol Hill to press Aipac’s legislative agenda.
But this year’s confab is playing out in a changed and charged Washington political environment. Mr. Trump and his fellow Republicans have spent weeks lobbing accusations of anti-Semitism at Democrats, although the party remains the home of the vast majority of American Jews. And Democrats are under mounting pressure from their left flank to distance themselves from Aipac, which aligns itself closely with Mr. Netanyahu’s far-right policies.But this year’s confab is playing out in a changed and charged Washington political environment. Mr. Trump and his fellow Republicans have spent weeks lobbing accusations of anti-Semitism at Democrats, although the party remains the home of the vast majority of American Jews. And Democrats are under mounting pressure from their left flank to distance themselves from Aipac, which aligns itself closely with Mr. Netanyahu’s far-right policies.
A string of Democratic presidential candidates — Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kamala Harris of California, as well as Beto O’Rourke and Julián Castro, among others — are skipping the conference. A group of freshman Democrats in the House, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, has emerged as forthright critics of Israel and the United States’ policy tilt toward the Israeli government.A string of Democratic presidential candidates — Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Kamala Harris of California, as well as Beto O’Rourke and Julián Castro, among others — are skipping the conference. A group of freshman Democrats in the House, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, has emerged as forthright critics of Israel and the United States’ policy tilt toward the Israeli government.
Those trends will stand in stark contrast to Mr. Trump’s embrace of Mr. Netanyahu, who will meet the president for talks at the White House on Monday and at a dinner on Tuesday.Those trends will stand in stark contrast to Mr. Trump’s embrace of Mr. Netanyahu, who will meet the president for talks at the White House on Monday and at a dinner on Tuesday.
“I don’t know what happened to them, but they are totally anti-Israel,” Mr. Trump said on Friday of the Democrats. “Frankly, I think they’re anti-Jewish.”“I don’t know what happened to them, but they are totally anti-Israel,” Mr. Trump said on Friday of the Democrats. “Frankly, I think they’re anti-Jewish.”
The swirl around this year’s conference represents “two new realities,” said Aaron David Miller, an expert on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the Wilson Center, a Washington-based foreign affairs research organization.The swirl around this year’s conference represents “two new realities,” said Aaron David Miller, an expert on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict at the Wilson Center, a Washington-based foreign affairs research organization.
The first is the deepening generational divide in the Democratic Party, which will be reflected in protests by progressive Jews outside the conference while older Democrats like Ms. Pelosi and Representative Steny H. Hoyer, the majority leader, address delegates inside. Mr. Trump might call Democrats “anti-Jewish,” but Jewish Democrats hold the gavels of some of the most powerful committees in the House — Judiciary, Appropriations, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, Budget and Ethics — as well as the post of Senate Democratic leader. But a younger generation of Democrats is clashing with that old guard.The first is the deepening generational divide in the Democratic Party, which will be reflected in protests by progressive Jews outside the conference while older Democrats like Ms. Pelosi and Representative Steny H. Hoyer, the majority leader, address delegates inside. Mr. Trump might call Democrats “anti-Jewish,” but Jewish Democrats hold the gavels of some of the most powerful committees in the House — Judiciary, Appropriations, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, Budget and Ethics — as well as the post of Senate Democratic leader. But a younger generation of Democrats is clashing with that old guard.
The second is the divide in Israeli politics, which will be reflected in the competing speeches by Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gantz.The second is the divide in Israeli politics, which will be reflected in the competing speeches by Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gantz.
“These conferences are supposed to be cohesive unity builders,” Mr. Miller said. But, he added, “rarely has Israeli politics been more divided, and Aipac is going to mirror those divisions.”“These conferences are supposed to be cohesive unity builders,” Mr. Miller said. But, he added, “rarely has Israeli politics been more divided, and Aipac is going to mirror those divisions.”
Republicans will almost certainly use the conference to portray their party as the home for Israel’s supporters. Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, is expected to talk about legislative efforts to support Israel and to oppose anti-Semitism. Representative Kevin McCarthy, the House Republican leader, will tell conferees that “Aipac should not be boycotted. Aipac should be celebrated,” said his spokesman, Matt Sparks.Republicans will almost certainly use the conference to portray their party as the home for Israel’s supporters. Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky and the majority leader, is expected to talk about legislative efforts to support Israel and to oppose anti-Semitism. Representative Kevin McCarthy, the House Republican leader, will tell conferees that “Aipac should not be boycotted. Aipac should be celebrated,” said his spokesman, Matt Sparks.
For Democrats — who for decades have relied on the Jewish vote — the task will be trickier. They must reiterate their support for the Jewish state without alienating progressives, including millennials and many young Jews who are increasingly willing to accuse Israel of human rights abuses.For Democrats — who for decades have relied on the Jewish vote — the task will be trickier. They must reiterate their support for the Jewish state without alienating progressives, including millennials and many young Jews who are increasingly willing to accuse Israel of human rights abuses.
“It will be interesting to see if Democratic leaders who are going to be speaking at Aipac are going to be speaking about Israeli policy as well, where they see differences with them,” said Yousef Munayyer, the executive director of the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights. “The applause lines that are going to go over well with Aipac are not going to go over well with the rest of the Democratic Party. That tension will really be on display here.”“It will be interesting to see if Democratic leaders who are going to be speaking at Aipac are going to be speaking about Israeli policy as well, where they see differences with them,” said Yousef Munayyer, the executive director of the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights. “The applause lines that are going to go over well with Aipac are not going to go over well with the rest of the Democratic Party. That tension will really be on display here.”
Mr. Hoyer, the Democratic leader, will speak on Sunday evening. He plans to remind his audience that the Jewish state and the United States-Israel relationship have “broad, bipartisan support because most Americans see them as integral to standing up for America’s values and our national security and interests,” according to a spokeswoman, Annaliese Davis. He will also “talk about what Israel and America have in common as fellow democracies,” and the threat posed by Iran.Mr. Hoyer, the Democratic leader, will speak on Sunday evening. He plans to remind his audience that the Jewish state and the United States-Israel relationship have “broad, bipartisan support because most Americans see them as integral to standing up for America’s values and our national security and interests,” according to a spokeswoman, Annaliese Davis. He will also “talk about what Israel and America have in common as fellow democracies,” and the threat posed by Iran.
Washington, meanwhile, has been gearing up.Washington, meanwhile, has been gearing up.
Mr. Trump announced on Thursday that the United States should recognize Israel’s authority over the Golan Heights, a reversal of longstanding policy against accepting territorial changes acquired by force. The strategic area was seized from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967. The policy-by-tweet was a valuable election-eve gift to Mr. Netanyahu.Mr. Trump announced on Thursday that the United States should recognize Israel’s authority over the Golan Heights, a reversal of longstanding policy against accepting territorial changes acquired by force. The strategic area was seized from Syria in the Six-Day War of 1967. The policy-by-tweet was a valuable election-eve gift to Mr. Netanyahu.
In the Senate, Mr. McConnell and his colleagues are eager to take concrete legislative steps to demonstrate support for American Jews — and to reignite a divisive debate that erupted this month among House Democrats, after Ms. Omar suggested that supporters of Israel were pushing “for allegiance to a foreign country.” That and other comments prompted the House to pass a resolution condemning all forms of bigotry, despite the wishes of veteran Jewish lawmakers who wanted it centered on anti-Semitism.In the Senate, Mr. McConnell and his colleagues are eager to take concrete legislative steps to demonstrate support for American Jews — and to reignite a divisive debate that erupted this month among House Democrats, after Ms. Omar suggested that supporters of Israel were pushing “for allegiance to a foreign country.” That and other comments prompted the House to pass a resolution condemning all forms of bigotry, despite the wishes of veteran Jewish lawmakers who wanted it centered on anti-Semitism.
Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, has been circulating a resolution condemning anti-Semitism in isolation — a not-so-subtle effort to draw a contrast with the House. Mr. Cruz has also joined Senators Tom Cotton, Republican of Arkansas, and Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, in proposing legislation to codify Israel’s authority over the Golan Heights.Senator Ted Cruz, Republican of Texas, has been circulating a resolution condemning anti-Semitism in isolation — a not-so-subtle effort to draw a contrast with the House. Mr. Cruz has also joined Senators Tom Cotton, Republican of Arkansas, and Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, in proposing legislation to codify Israel’s authority over the Golan Heights.
In the House, Representative Jerrold Nadler, Democrat of New York, moved last week to fulfill one of Aipac’s legislative priorities: a congressional resolution opposing the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, known as B.D.S., which is aimed, in part, at pressuring Israel to improve its treatment of Palestinians. But the resolution, which is nonbinding, is much weaker than another Aipac-backed measure that the Republican-controlled Senate adopted last month.In the House, Representative Jerrold Nadler, Democrat of New York, moved last week to fulfill one of Aipac’s legislative priorities: a congressional resolution opposing the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement, known as B.D.S., which is aimed, in part, at pressuring Israel to improve its treatment of Palestinians. But the resolution, which is nonbinding, is much weaker than another Aipac-backed measure that the Republican-controlled Senate adopted last month.
Founded more than 50 years ago to “strengthen, protect and promote the U.S.-Israel relationship,” Aipac, which is bipartisan, is today widely regarded as one of the most influential lobbying groups in Washington. It does not endorse or donate to political candidates, though it encourages its members to do so, and maintains relationships with every lawmaker on Capitol Hill.Founded more than 50 years ago to “strengthen, protect and promote the U.S.-Israel relationship,” Aipac, which is bipartisan, is today widely regarded as one of the most influential lobbying groups in Washington. It does not endorse or donate to political candidates, though it encourages its members to do so, and maintains relationships with every lawmaker on Capitol Hill.
This year, the organization’s activists will press Congress for the adoption of Mr. Nadler’s anti-B.D.S. resolution, security assistance for Israel, enhanced cooperation between the United States and Israel in areas such as security and technology and a letter to the Trump administration about the threats on Israel’s northern border from Iran and its surrogates, an Aipac official said.This year, the organization’s activists will press Congress for the adoption of Mr. Nadler’s anti-B.D.S. resolution, security assistance for Israel, enhanced cooperation between the United States and Israel in areas such as security and technology and a letter to the Trump administration about the threats on Israel’s northern border from Iran and its surrogates, an Aipac official said.
But there is evidence that Aipac’s influence is waning, and its rightward tilt has strained its claims of bipartisanship. A number of Democrats in Congress have fled to J Street, a liberal Jewish political action committee that also bills itself as pro-Israel.But there is evidence that Aipac’s influence is waning, and its rightward tilt has strained its claims of bipartisanship. A number of Democrats in Congress have fled to J Street, a liberal Jewish political action committee that also bills itself as pro-Israel.
“The conference and the political dynamics around it are the political fruits that are reaped by the partisanship that Netanyahu has sown,” said Jeremy Ben-Ami, the president of J Street, adding that Mr. Netanyahu’s “bromance with the president” has turned Israel into a partisan issue in the United States, which is “not in the best interest of the state of Israel and not in the best interest of the Jewish community.”“The conference and the political dynamics around it are the political fruits that are reaped by the partisanship that Netanyahu has sown,” said Jeremy Ben-Ami, the president of J Street, adding that Mr. Netanyahu’s “bromance with the president” has turned Israel into a partisan issue in the United States, which is “not in the best interest of the state of Israel and not in the best interest of the Jewish community.”
MoveOn, the progressive advocacy group, urged Democratic presidential candidates not to attend the Aipac conference this year. Some who have attended in the past, such as Ms. Harris, did not share why they are sitting this year’s conference out. But Mr. Sanders, who has not attended in the past, took the occasion to issue a strong anti-Aipac statement through his policy director, Josh Orton.MoveOn, the progressive advocacy group, urged Democratic presidential candidates not to attend the Aipac conference this year. Some who have attended in the past, such as Ms. Harris, did not share why they are sitting this year’s conference out. But Mr. Sanders, who has not attended in the past, took the occasion to issue a strong anti-Aipac statement through his policy director, Josh Orton.
Mr. Orton said the senator was “concerned about the platform Aipac is providing for leaders who have expressed bigotry and oppose a two-state solution” — an obvious jab at Mr. Netanyahu, whose recent pact with a racist anti-Arab party has prompted so much outrage in the United States and Israel that even Aipac criticized it.Mr. Orton said the senator was “concerned about the platform Aipac is providing for leaders who have expressed bigotry and oppose a two-state solution” — an obvious jab at Mr. Netanyahu, whose recent pact with a racist anti-Arab party has prompted so much outrage in the United States and Israel that even Aipac criticized it.
One candidate, Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who is running as a centrist Democrat, will be speaking at the conference.
IfNotNow, an advocacy organization of progressive young Jews, is planning protests under the #ResistAIPAC hashtag and has gathered thousands of signatures on a petition saying, “Aipac doesn’t represent me as a Jew,” said Emily Mayer, a founding member of the group. Ms. Mayer said she had a message for Ms. Pelosi and the other Democratic leaders on the agenda.IfNotNow, an advocacy organization of progressive young Jews, is planning protests under the #ResistAIPAC hashtag and has gathered thousands of signatures on a petition saying, “Aipac doesn’t represent me as a Jew,” said Emily Mayer, a founding member of the group. Ms. Mayer said she had a message for Ms. Pelosi and the other Democratic leaders on the agenda.
“It’s clear that they’re not the future of the party, they’re the past,” she said. “The future of the party rests in a different set of politics that Aipac doesn’t represent.”“It’s clear that they’re not the future of the party, they’re the past,” she said. “The future of the party rests in a different set of politics that Aipac doesn’t represent.”