US$54m and counting: Powerful pro-Israel lobby tests the limits of money in American politics

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the most powerful pro-Israel lobby in the United States, is spending over $54 million on the 2026 midterms through its primary fundraising vehicle, the United Democracy Project (UDP). This makes AIPAC the largest independent spender in the 2026 election cycle, according to campaign finance tracker OpenSecrets.

While the pro-Israel donor network as a whole spent $71 million, AIPAC's financial influence is a double-edged sword. The organization has mainly targeted Democratic primaries, supporting candidates in favor of Israel and aiming to defeat critics of unconditional US military aid. Despite AIPAC's substantial financial backing, some candidates they backed have lost primary elections, and critics argue that its influence is growing toxic among voters across the political spectrum.

The unease over AIPAC's spending is shared by both Democrats and Republicans, with some Republican candidates requesting AIPAC not to run ads publicly on their behalf. The changing sentiment towards Israel, driven by recent conflicts in Gaza and the broader Middle East, has led to growing criticism of AIPAC's policies. A June Quinnipiac University poll found that 48% of American voters now believe Washington is too supportive of Israel, including 66% of Democrats.

This shift in opinion, while not denting AIPAC's power, has made its spending increasingly controversial and potentially counterproductive.