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Bernie Sanders warns AIPAC will spend $233 million to defeat candidates critical of Netanyahu, calling it a losing fight as criticism of Israel rises ahead of the midterms.
US Senator Bernie Sanders has warned that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee ( AIPAC) is set to spend $233 million to defeat candidates in this fall's congressional midterm elections who speak out against the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sanders made the statement on Friday via the US social media platform X. He described AIPAC as the top pro-Israel lobbying firm in the US and said its spending push is directly defending Netanyahu's government from congressional criticism.
It plans to spend $233 million to defeat candidates who dare to speak out against Netanyahu's extremist government, Sanders said. They spent $33 million to defeat Abdul El Sayed in the Michigan primary. They lost. They are going to keep losing, he added.
El Sayed is the Democratic candidate in this year's senatorial race in the state of Michigan. He strongly opposes unconditional US military aid for Israel and has criticised the Netanyahu government's policies in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
The November 3 US congressional midterms are approaching. Polls show Democrats broadly favoured to win the House of Representatives and possibly the Senate.
Sanders' remarks highlight the growing influence of pro-Israel lobbying in electoral politics and the debate over US military aid to Israel that has become a flashpoint in several primaries.
As the US electorate's view of Israel has soured, especially in light of the genocide in Gaza, many Democrats running for office this year have taken a harder line against the policies of the Netanyahu government.
Many see those policies as efforts to displace Palestinians and frustrate any hope for peace in the Middle East. This shift in public opinion has led to increased scrutiny of AIPAC's spending and its role in defending Netanyahu's government from congressional criticism.
Sanders' statement reflects a broader trend of Democrats distancing themselves from unconditional support for Israel. Candidates like El Sayed have gained traction despite opposition from well-funded lobbying groups.
With AIPAC's planned spending, the midterm elections could see intense battles in key districts where candidates critical of Israel are running. Sanders' warning suggests that such spending may backfire, as voters increasingly prioritise human rights and peace in the Middle East.
The outcome of these elections will be closely watched as a barometer of US public sentiment on Israel and the influence of lobbying groups like AIPAC. Sanders' remarks underscore the growing divide within the Democratic Party on this issue.
As the November 3 midterms approach, the debate over Israel policy is expected to intensify, with AIPAC's spending likely to be a central topic in many races.
El Sayed's campaign in Michigan serves as a test case for whether candidates who criticise Netanyahu can succeed despite heavy opposition spending. Sanders' comments indicate that he believes they can.
Overall, the controversy highlights the intersection of foreign policy, domestic politics and campaign finance in the US electoral landscape.
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