History of AIPAC in Timeline

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is a prominent U.S. lobbying group that advocates for pro-Israel policies before the U.S. legislative and executive branches. It is considered one of the most influential lobbying groups in the United States. Originally named the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs (1954-1959), the organization changed its name to better reflect its participants and purpose.

1943: Formation of American Zionist Emergency Council

In 1943, Abba Hillel Silver formed the American Zionist Emergency Council (AZEC) to organize American Jews to contact their local representatives to support Jews in Mandatory Palestine.

1949: AZEC Renamed American Zionist Council

In 1949, the American Zionist Emergency Council (AZEC) was renamed the American Zionist Council (AZC).

1951: Kenen begins lobbying effort to help Israel's economy

In 1951, Isaiah Kenen began a lobbying effort to help Israel's troubled economy and secured $65 million in U.S. aid for Israel.

1952: Kenen secures additional U.S. aid for Israel

In 1952, Isaiah Kenen secured $73 million in U.S. aid for Israel, continuing his lobbying efforts to support Israel's economy.

October 1953: Qibya Massacre and Response

In October 1953, the Qibya massacre occurred, where Israeli troops killed at least 69 Palestinian villagers. This event and the subsequent international criticism contributed to the decision to separate lobbying efforts into a new organization with separate finances.

1953: Formation of American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs (AZCPA)

In 1953, Isaiah Kenen formed the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs (AZCPA) due to concerns about potential investigations by the State Department for not registering as a "foreign agent". This new entity was not tax-exempt and could lobby for a foreign government.

1954: AIPAC Founded

In 1954, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) was founded, although it was initially named the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs. AIPAC is a pro-Israel lobbying group that advocates its policies to the legislative and executive branches of the United States.

1959: AZCPA Renamed American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)

In 1959, the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs (AZCPA) was renamed the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), reflecting a broader membership and mission.

1973: AIPAC Becomes a Powerful Organization

Although AIPAC had worked effectively behind the scenes since its founding in 1953, AIPAC only became a powerful organization in the 15 years after the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

1973: AIPAC's budget soared after Yom Kippur War.

By the mid-1970s, AIPAC had achieved the financial and political clout necessary to sway congressional opinion. During this period, AIPAC's budget soared from $300,000 in 1973 to over $7 million during its peak years of influence in the late 1980s.

1974: Morris J. Amitay succeeds Kenen as leader of AIPAC

In 1974, Isaiah Kenen retired as the leader of AIPAC and was succeeded by Morris J. Amitay.

1980: Thomas Dine Becomes Executive Director of AIPAC

In 1980, Thomas Dine became the executive director of AIPAC, and developed its grassroots campaign.

1982: AIPAC Affiliated Activists Support Durbin to Oust Findley

In 1982, activists affiliated with AIPAC in Skokie, Illinois, backed Richard J. Durbin to oust U.S. representative Paul Findley, who had shown enthusiasm for PLO leader Yasir Arafat.

1984: Senator Charles H. Percy Defeated

In 1984, Senator Charles H. Percy, then-chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was defeated by Democrat Paul Simon after Simon was asked by Robert Asher, an AIPAC board member, to run against Percy.

1987: AIPAC Officials Operate Pro-Israel PACs

In 1987, The Wall Street Journal reported that at least 51 of 80 pro-Israel PACs were operated by AIPAC officials.

1990: Pro-Israel Interests Donations to Federal Candidates and Party Committees

According to the non-partisan OpenSecrets, Pro-Israel interests have contributed $56.8 million in individual, group, and soft money donations to federal candidates and party committees since 1990.

1992: David Steiner Resigns

In 1992, AIPAC president David Steiner was forced to resign after being recorded boasting about his political influence in obtaining aid for Israel. Steiner claimed to have made deals with Jim Baker and to be negotiating with the incoming Clinton administration.

1995: AIPAC supports Counter-Terrorism Act

In 1995, AIPAC was an early supporter of the Counter-Terrorism Act of 1995, which resulted in increased FBI resources being committed to fight terrorism.

1996: Howard Kohr becomes CEO of AIPAC

In 1996, Howard Kohr became the CEO of AIPAC, a position he held until late 2024.

1997: Fortune magazine names AIPAC the second-most powerful influence group in Washington, D.C.

In 1997, Fortune magazine named AIPAC the second-most powerful influence group in Washington, D.C.

2000: AIPAC's board members donated an average to campaigns and political action committees.

Between the 2000 and the 2004 elections, the 50 members of AIPAC's board donated an average of $72,000 each to campaigns and political action committees.

2002: AIPAC Expresses Intent to Lobby Congress for Force in Iraq

In 2002, AIPAC expressed its intent to lobby Congress to authorize the use of force in Iraq.

January 2003: AIPAC Lobbying Congress on Iraq

In January 2003, at an AIPAC meeting, executive director Kohr cited "'quietly' lobbying Congress to approve the use of force in Iraq" as one of AIPAC's successes.

2003: Iraq War Defended at AIPAC Events

In 2003, the Iraq War was defended at AIPAC events.

2004: AIPAC's board members donated an average to campaigns and political action committees.

Between the 2000 and the 2004 elections, the 50 members of AIPAC's board donated an average of $72,000 each to campaigns and political action committees.

April 2005: AIPAC Officials Fired Amid Investigation

In April 2005, AIPAC policy director Steven Rosen and AIPAC senior Iran analyst Keith Weissman were fired by AIPAC amid an FBI investigation into whether they passed classified U.S. information to the government of Israel. They were later indicted.

May 2005: Franklin Arrested, AIPAC Identified

In May 2005, the Justice Department announced the arrest of Lawrence Anthony Franklin, who was charged with providing classified national defense information to Israel. AIPAC was identified by name in the criminal complaint.

2005: Lawrence Franklin Pleads Guilty in Espionage Case

In 2005, Lawrence Franklin, a Pentagon analyst, pleaded guilty to espionage charges for passing U.S. government secrets to AIPAC policy director Steve J. Rosen and AIPAC senior Iran analyst Keith Weissman.

2005: AIPAC Espionage Scandal

In 2005, a Pentagon analyst pleaded guilty to espionage charges of passing U.S. government secrets to senior AIPAC officials, in what became known as the AIPAC espionage scandal.

January 20, 2006: Lawrence Franklin Sentenced

On January 20, 2006, Lawrence Franklin was sentenced to 151 months in prison and fined $10,000 after pleading guilty to passing government secrets to Rosen and Weissman, and directly to an Israeli government official. He agreed to cooperate in the federal investigation.

2006: McCollum Demands Apology from AIPAC

In 2006, Representative Betty McCollum demanded an apology from AIPAC after an AIPAC representative allegedly described her vote against the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act of 2006 as "support for terrorists." She stated that AIPAC representatives would not be allowed in her office until she received a written apology. AIPAC disputed McCollum's claim, and McCollum has since declared the incident over.

2007: Violence in Iraq blamed for increase in global terrorism

By the time of the 2007 AIPAC annual policy conference, continuing violence in Iraq had undermined the view of the Iraq War aligning the United States and Israel against Arab and Muslim radicalism. At a conference session, the war was blamed for an increase in global terrorism.

2007: Jim Moran Criticizes AIPAC

In 2007, Democratic Congressman Jim Moran publicly criticized AIPAC, stating they were "pushing the Iraq War from the beginning" and that they do not represent mainstream American Jewish thinking. His statements caused national controversy and drew criticism from various Jewish groups.

2007: Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and Israel

In 2007, the U.S. and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding which allocated $30 billion in aid for Israel over 10 years.

March 2009: AIPAC requests $2.775 billion in military aid for Israel

In March 2009, AIPAC executive director Howard Kohr appeared before the House Committee on Appropriations' Foreign Operations subcommittee and requested that Israel receive $2.775 billion in military aid in fiscal year 2010. This request was aligned with the 2007 Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and Israel, which allocated $30 billion in aid for Israel over 10 years.

2009: House resolution condemning the UN Goldstone Report passes

In 2009, a House of Representatives resolution condemning the UN Goldstone Report on human rights violations by Israel in Gaza passed 344–36.

2009: Charges Dropped Against AIPAC Employees

In 2009, all charges against the former AIPAC employees were dropped.

2009: Criticism of AIPAC influence on House votes

In 2009, former congressman Brian Baird criticized AIPAC's influence on House votes, arguing that the question on the House floor is often not, 'What is the right thing to do for the United States of America?', but 'How is AIPAC going to score this?'

2010: AIPAC opposes Jan Schakowsky's reelection

In 2010, AIPAC opposed the reelection of Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois), a Jewish member of Congress who had maintained good relations with AIPAC and received campaign contributions from its members. This opposition occurred after Schakowsky was endorsed by the advocacy group J Street.

2010: Requested military aid for Israel

In fiscal year 2010, AIPAC requested that Israel receive $2.775 billion in military aid. According to AIPAC executive director Howard Kohr, American assistance to Israel serves vital U.S. national security interests and advances critical U.S. foreign policy goals.

2012: AIPAC calls for crippling sanctions on Iran

In 2012, AIPAC called for "crippling" sanctions on Iran in a letter to every member of Congress.

2012: Donna Edwards' stance during 2012 Gaza War

In 2022, AIPAC spent $7 million to defeat Donna Edwards in a Maryland July primary, who had failed to back resolutions in support of Israel during the 2012 Gaza War.

2013: AIPAC lobbies to levy economic embargoes and increase sanctions on Iran

In 2013, AIPAC lobbied to levy economic embargoes and increase sanctions on Iran through the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2013. However, this effort stalled after resistance from President Obama.

2015: AIPAC Opposes the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)

In 2015, AIPAC mounted a major lobbying campaign against the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1 powers, through a subsidiary group, Citizens for a Nuclear Free Iran. They reportedly spent between $20 million and $40 million on advertising, congressional meetings, and grassroots pressure. Despite this effort, the Obama administration secured enough Senate support to sustain a veto of a resolution of disapproval, and the deal went into effect.

2016: AIPAC Policy Conference Includes Clinton and Trump

In 2016, AIPAC's yearly policy conference included both major parties' nominees, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, as speakers. This was cited by supporters as evidence of the organization's bipartisan nature.

2016: Political director for Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign

In 2016, Nida Allam was the political director for the 2016 presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders.

2016: AIPAC Policy Conference held at Verizon Center

In 2016, nearly 20,000 delegates attended the AIPAC Policy Conference. For the first time in AIPAC's history, the conference's general sessions were held in Washington, D.C.'s Verizon Center to accommodate the large number of delegates. Keynote speakers included Vice President Joe Biden, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Governor John Kasich, Senator Ted Cruz, and Speaker Paul Ryan. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the conference via satellite on its final day.

2018: AIPAC spent $3.5 million on lobbying

In 2018, AIPAC spent $3.5 million on lobbying, a relatively large sum in the realm of foreign policy.

2018: AIPAC supports Trump administration's withdrawal from the JCPOA

In 2018, AIPAC supported the Trump administration's withdrawal from the JCPOA and backed the reimposition of sanctions on Iran.

February 2019: Ilhan Omar's Comments on AIPAC

In February 2019, U.S. representative Ilhan Omar tweeted that support for Israel was "all about the Benjamins", later clarifying she meant AIPAC. This sparked controversy and debate over AIPAC's influence.

March 6, 2019: House Resolution on Antisemitism

On March 6, 2019, the Democratic leadership put forth a resolution on the House floor condemning antisemitism in response to Ilhan Omar's comments. It was broadened to condemn bigotry against a wide variety of groups before passing.

August 2019: AIEF sponsors trips for members of Congress to Israel and the West Bank

In August 2019, the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF) sponsored week-long trips with 72 members of Congress (41 Democrats and 31 Republicans) to Israel and the West Bank, where they visited with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

2019: AIPAC Headquarters on K Street

As of early 2019, AIPAC had 17 regional and satellite offices and a new headquarters on K Street in Washington, D.C.

2020: Biden's Presidential Victory

AIPAC was criticized in March 2022 for backing election campaigns of members of congress who voted against certifying Biden's 2020 U.S. presidential election victory.

2020: Betty McCollum Accuses AIPAC of Hate Speech

In 2020, Democratic Congresswoman Betty McCollum accused AIPAC of hate speech and characterized the group as a hate group.

2020: Bernie Sanders on AIPAC

In 2020, Senator Bernie Sanders stated that AIPAC provides a platform for bigotry and announced that he would not attend their conference.

2020: Endorsement of candidates who voted to overturn the 2020 election

In March 2022, AIPAC endorsed 37 Congresspersons of the "Sedition Caucus" who had voted to overturn the 2020 election of Joe Biden.

2021: Attack on the United States Capitol

AIPAC was criticized in March 2022 for backing election campaigns of members of congress who voted against certifying Biden's 2020 U.S. presidential election victory after the 2021 attack on the United States Capitol.

2021: AIPAC forms its own political action committee

In late 2021, AIPAC formed its own political action committee and announced plans for a Super PAC, which can spend money on behalf of candidates. AIPAC president, Betsy Berns Korn, stated that "The DC political environment has been undergoing profound change. Hyperpartisanship, high congressional turnover and the exponential growth in the cost of campaigns now dominate the landscape."

March 2022: AIPAC Criticized for Backing Election Campaigns

Following the formation of its first political action committee (PAC) in early March 2022, AIPAC faced criticism for supporting the election campaigns of 37 Republican members of Congress who voted against certifying Biden's 2020 U.S. presidential election victory after the 2021 United States Capitol attack.

March 2022: AIPAC releases first endorsements

In March 2022, AIPAC's PAC released its first endorsements of 130 candidates for the House of Representatives and the Senate, including 37 Congresspersons of the "Sedition Caucus" who had voted to overturn the 2020 election of Joe Biden.

May 2022: AIPAC spending to defeat progressive Democrats

In May 2022, it was revealed that AIPAC has been spending millions through the United Democracy Project (UDP) to defeat progressive Democrats in Democratic primaries, particularly female candidates who might potentially align with "the Squad" of progressive members of Congress Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib.

August 2022: AIPAC's Tweet and IfNotNow's Response

In August 2022, AIPAC tweeted about George Soros's support for anti-Israel groups. In response, IfNotNow denounced AIPAC for antisemitism, stating that "AIPAC is the antisemitic far right...They are not a Jewish org, nor claim to be one."

2022: AIPAC Spending in Democratic Primaries

In 2022, AIPAC spent $24 million, via its political action committee, the United Democracy Project, to defeat candidates not considered pro-Israel enough in the primaries of the Democratic Party that select candidates for the 2022 midterm elections. A number of AIPAC supporters assert that reports focusing on AIPAC's campaign funding against candidates critical of Israel's policies are 'antisemitic'.

2023: Sanders Accuses AIPAC of Targeting Progressives

On February 19, 2023, Bernie Sanders stated on CBS's "Face the Nation" that AIPAC, which was formerly bipartisan, has evolved to attempt to "destroy" the American progressive movement.

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March 2024: Opponents form the Reject AIPAC coalition

In mid-March 2024, with reports of AIPAC and UDP planning to spend $100M to primary incumbent progressive House Democrats, opponents formed the Reject AIPAC coalition "to protect democracy & Palestinian rights".

April 2024: AIPAC plans to target candidates critical of Israel

In April 2024, The Guardian reported that ahead of the 2024 elections, AIPAC was leading a handful of pro-Israel groups to target candidates critical of Israel (mainly Democrats) and had planned to spend tens of millions of dollars.

August 2024: AIPAC Headquarters Vandalized

In August 2024, AIPAC's headquarters in Washington, D.C. were vandalized by anti-Israel activists.

2024: Elliot Brandt named CEO of AIPAC

In late 2024, Elliot Brandt was named CEO of AIPAC, succeeding Howard Kohr.

2024: AIPAC Supports Challengers to Critics of Israel

In the lead-up to the 2024 elections, AIPAC recruited and supported challengers to candidates who had been critical of Israel's actions in the Gaza war, according to reporting by The Guardian.

2025: AIPAC reports more than 5 million members

As of 2025, AIPAC reports having more than 5 million members in the U.S., along with 17 regional offices and a vast pool of donors.

2025: Gaetz speaks about downward pressure on members of Congress to participate

In 2025, former Representative Matt Gaetz spoke about a "downward pressure" on members of Congress to participate in AIPAC-sponsored trips, particularly members of the Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, and Intelligence committees.

2025: Democratic Politicians Reject AIPAC Donations

In 2025, several Democratic politicians, including Deborah Ross, Valerie Foushee, Morgan McGarvey, and Seth Moulton, announced they would no longer accept donations from AIPAC.

2026: AIPAC spending to influence Democratic congressional primary elections in Illinois

In 2026, AIPAC (via UDP) directly spent at least $5 million, with some individual AIPAC donors providing at least an additional $8.7 million, to influence four March Democratic congressional primary elections in Illinois, funneled through shell super PACs Elect Chicago Women, Affordable Chicago Now!, and Chicago Progressive Partnership.