Pro-Israel groups target US lawmakers critical of Gaza war with attack ads

Source: The Guardian

Pro-Israel groups target US lawmakers critical of Gaza war with attack ads

Rashida Tlaib and other Democratic members of ‘the Squad’ have been targeted but also a libertarian Republican

Tom Perkins in Detroit and Joan E Greve in Washington DC
Sat 11 Nov 2023 12.00 GMT
Last modified on Sat 11 Nov 2023 12.03 GMT

The pro-Israel lobby in the US is airing attack ads and beginning to back primary opponents to challenge Congress members who are not voting for or supporting Israel’s war on Gaza.

Over the last 10 days, groups that support Israel have launched ads in at least seven districts targeting those who have been particularly vocal in calling attention to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, opposing Israeli military aid or criticizing Israel’s government.

The groups will probably pump tens of millions of dollars into primaries this cycle to back its candidates. While most of the targets are members of the “Squad” of progressive Democrats, one of them is a libertarian Republican who opposes foreign spending. “I don’t think [the pro-Israel] lobby can beat me, and they definitely can’t beat me with this topic,” said the Republican Kentucky congressman Thomas Massie, referring to his recent vote against military aid for Israel.

A group of Super Pacs and dark money non-profits – most notably groups such as Aipac and Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI) – tied to Israeli interests last cycle contributed about $43m to US campaigns, according to Open Secrets, a campaign finance watchdog.

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Original Guardian link (registration required): https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/11/israel-ads-attack-rashida-tlaib-us-politicians