I Support Israel Yet I Feel Shamed by AIPAC

Israel, the land of milk and honey, has been a controversial political topic since its birth 70 years ago at a General Assembly of  the United Nations. The country was created as a safe haven for Jews following the murder of six million Jews in the Holocaust. Public affairs committees and organizations have taken shape in support of the country since its creation. The most prominent one being the American Israel Public Affairs Committee began in 1951.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is comprised of more than 100,000 members who dedicate their time and give financial support to “strengthening, protecting, and promoting the U.S. Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of the United States and Israel.” The group holds multiple conferences throughout the area culminating in their 18,000 Policy Conference where students, professionals, and adults gather to lobby for pro-Israel legislation.

I attended the 2018 Policy Conference and the 2018 Schusterman High School Summit as part of my youth group BBYO’s delegation. I have grown up in a home that never questioned the existence of Israel but did not discuss the country. Throughout my life, I have been able to make my own decisions on the country but have shared similar beliefs with my parents. To me, a two state solution has always been the only option, as I find it upsetting to think Israel just began 70-years ago when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were living on the land. Just like the United States, I have not been afraid to criticize Israel whenever I see it doing something I feel is wrong.

While attending both conferences, I felt shamed for my “liberal” beliefs. At the 300 person high school summit, I was not afraid to openly criticize Israel and question AIPAC’s doing, which AIPAC did not like. Their representatives reacted by spinning my questions to seem like I was in the wrong while giving an inaccurate response. When we were prompted to ask questions at the conference, I raised my hand to be met with a resounding sweep over my eyes after the staff began to recognize me for my “offputting” questions.

When I was granted admission to the conferences through my application, AIPAC made the honor seem like I had entered an elite club. In reality, I had forked over $600 for a three day conference where I would feel unwelcome for having a dissenting opinion. Their recruitment tactics worked as my peers were enthralled with the free memorabilia they repeatedly handed out and the carnival they put on at the high school summit. College students stood before us flashing their school’s brand while many eagerly looked on anticipating their experiences at the colleges.

In my delegation at the policy conference, less than a quarter of our thirty person group stood out to me as Democrats. I watched as the Democrats gathered around one another while the Republicans appeared to be embraced by the majority. I watched in horror as my peers stood up for Mike Pence. While some fully supported him and others support his views on Israel, I sat there in disgust. I have been committed to the idea that I cannot support someone for doing something good for Israel if I disagree with their morals. AIPAC perpetuates this atmosphere by claiming to be bipartisan but supporting an agenda that leans toward Republicans.

While AIPAC works toward a better US Israel relationship, they focus on strengthening Israel in the United States’ eyes. The group consistently creates and lobbies for legislation that ignores or punishes Palestine. Their mission statement does not mention the demise of Palestine but oftentimes their campaigns are targeted against Palestine by focusing exclusively on Israel. While this correlates with AIPAC’s mission statement, it is causing mass disruption to life for those who live in Israel by ignoring the wants and needs of Palestinians. AIPAC’s work depends on Israel’s population being happy, and if a percentage of the population is being ignored or if the United States is creating laws against them, the country’s population is not happy.

While AIPAC is successful at lobbying for the pro-Israel movement, the organization draws only a small sect of the pro-Israel movement, while ignoring or shaming those who do not identify with their mission. The organization might be making waves in terms of passing bills but they are alienating so many Jews and non-Jews who support Israel. When I choose to show support for Israel in the future, I will do so by celebrating and lobbying with organizations, like JStreet, who support a two-state solution and have viewpoints that better align with mine.