AIPAC Thanks Obama for Pro-Israel Policies

Public Show of Support Adds to Israel Focus on US Vote

AIPAC has issued an official statement of “thanks” to President Obama and the Congressional leadership, praising them for “unshakeable” commitment to pro-Israel policies, saying they have “deepened America’s support for Israel in difficult times.”

Such statements are rare, particularly in election years, but reflect a growing focus on Israel ahead of the election, with both parties trying to shore up the public perception of an Israeli endorsement.

Mitt Romney has accused Obama of anti-Israel positions during the campaign, saying he “threw Israel under the bus” by criticizing their illegal settlement expansion. Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D – FL) claimed the Israeli ambassador had told her the Republicans were a “threat to Israeli interests.”

While shilling for Israel is something of an election-year tradition in the US, even Israeli political leaders are taking notice of the excessive amount of talk this time, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of “meddling” in the election as Netanyahu appeared on CNN over the weekend, urging American voters to elect someone who would attack Iran.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.