Inside AIPAC's peculiar strategy to sink progressives: Attack them from the left

AIPAC-linked groups are spending millions on ads attacking pro-Palestinian Democratic congressional candidates by questioning their progressive credentials rather than their Israel positions. Chicago Progressive Partnership has spent nearly $600,000 targeting Junaid Ahmed in Illinois' 8th district and over $1 million against Kat Abughazaleh in the 9th district, with ads highlighting Ahmed's personal wealth and Tesla investment while calling Abughazaleh's teenage Republican views into question. The strategy reflects AIPAC's assessment that direct pro-Israel messaging has become less effective with increasingly skeptical Democratic voters. The groups have also targeted liberal Zionists like former Rep. Tom Malinowski in New Jersey, spending nearly $2 million on ads criticizing his pro-ICE votes without mentioning Israel. Illinois primaries are scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, where the effectiveness of this left-flank attack strategy will be tested.