New York Times calls AIPAC hard-right, drawing criticism from pundits
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The New York Times is raising critics’ eyebrows over how it characterizes the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the US-based group that has become a target of anti-Israel advocates.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives voted on a bill introduced by outgoing anti-Israel Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) to cut military and humanitarian aid funding to Israel; This bill ultimately failed to pass, but still won majority support among Democratic lawmakers, resulting in a 103-98 result. Massie was the only Republican vote.
The Times’ report on the vote emphasized that Democrats had promised not to accept donations from AIPAC, which has historically donated to both Democrats and Republicans who support Israel and its alliance with the United States. Among those who have pledged not to accept AIPAC money is Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass.
“Mr. Moulton, who is running for the Senate, also said he would no longer accept donations from AIPAC, the far-right pro-Israel lobby group that has recently become a toxic brand among Democrats,” The Times reported. wrote.
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The New York Times raised eyebrows with its characterization of pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Founded in 1954, AIPAC says its mission is to “encourage and persuade the U.S. government to implement certain policies that will create a strong, enduring, and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel” and helps “elect Democrats and Republicans who support the alliance.”
Leading Democrats once joined Republicans speaking at AIPAC’s annual Policy Conference, which has not been held since the Covid-19 pandemic. Prominent Democrats speaking at the last conference in March 2020 included Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Sen. Cory Booker, DN.J. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, DY, followed by former Vice President Joe Biden via video message. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) spoke at the conference the previous year while serving as speaker of the House; While Jeffries voted against the bill, he specifically voted in favor of funding Israel this week.
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Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., who voted in favor of the anti-Israel funding bill, was a featured speaker at AIPAC’s annual policy conference in 2019. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)
Critics on social media were stunned by the Times’ statement about the pro-Israel group.
“@anniekarni, a veteran NYT reporter, published an article in which she called AIPAC a ‘far-right lobbying group.’ What defense do you have against that formulation of an organization whose staff is probably 70 percent Democrats, Annie? Is it fun to join the coyotes?” Commentary Magazine editor John Podhoretz addressed a Times reporter on Friday.
New York Post columnist Karol Markowicz reacted: “I wish AIPAC were completely right. In fact, kind of right.”
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“AIPAC is just a bunch of left-center bashers. If you think Israel defending itself is ‘extreme,’ it’s just ‘hard right,'” wrote Joel Pollak, opinion editor of the California Post.
“It shows how disconnected from reality much of the media reporting about Israel has become. Most pro-Israel Jews are Democrats!” exclaimed Jewish Insider editor-in-chief Josh Kraushaar.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), led by its chairman Michael Tuchin, has become a major target among anti-Israel progressives. (Mandel NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Neither the New York Times nor AIPAC responded to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment.
Post October. In the political environment of September 7, support for Israel dropped significantly among Democrats, while a much larger margin was maintained among Republicans. AIPAC itself has been widely scapegoated by anti-Israel advocates; Many of these falsely push the narrative that the Jewish state is buying influence through AIPAC, even though AIPAC is an American organization run by pro-Israel US citizens.
Standing up to Israel has become a litmus test for political hopefuls for the Democratic Party’s progressive base and is expected to be a key issue during the 2028 presidential election.
Fox News’ Brian Flood contributed to this report.
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