Democrats grow wary of AIPAC’s role in elections

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Jewish former AIPAC donor, has condemned the American Israel Public Affairs Committee following Tuesday's primary elections, reflecting a broader shift among Democrats who once backed the pro-Israel group. The criticism marks a significant fracture within the Democratic coalition, as AIPAC and its affiliated organizations have adopted increasingly aggressive electoral strategies that have alienated party members on the left. The rift underscores deepening tensions within the Democratic Party over Israel policy, particularly following the 2023 Gaza conflict, which mobilized younger and progressive voters against candidates backed by the pro-Israel lobby. AIPAC's electoral involvement has become a flashpoint for intra-party conflict, with some Democrats viewing the group's spending and endorsements as divisive to party unity. The development signals that Democratic support for AIPAC, once relatively bipartisan and taken for granted, is no longer assured.