Israel Lobby's Power Displayed in Recent Primary Elections

Missouri Primary Results

The Missouri primary on Tuesday highlighted the significant influence of the Israel lobby, as progressive Democratic “Squad” member Rep. Cori Bush was defeated in a primary challenge by St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell. Bell's campaign was significantly boosted by substantial financial support from pro-Israel groups.

Second Squad Member Ousted

This marks the second time in just six weeks that a Squad member has been ousted, largely due to the efforts of the Israel lobby. In June, New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman lost the Democratic nomination to George Latimer, the Westchester County executive. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) notably spent a staggering $14 million on the race, making it the most expensive House primary contest in history.

Expensive Races and Significant Spending

The Bell-Bush race was not far behind in terms of expenditure, ranking as the fourth most expensive primary race in US history. The United Democracy Project, an AIPAC-affiliated group, spent nearly $9 million to ensure Bush's removal from Congress. The Democratic Majority for Israel also contributed almost $500,000. The investment proved successful, with Bell winning 51.2% of the vote to Bush’s 45.6% with over 95% of votes counted. The district is a stronghold for Democrats, making Bell's victory in the general election almost certain.

Criticism of Israeli Government

Bush and Bowman have been outspoken critics of the Israeli government’s response to the Oct. 7 Hamas invasion of southern Israel. The campaign in Gaza has resulted in an estimated 39,000 deaths, with the majority believed to be civilians. Approximately 90% of the population has been internally displaced at least once, with some moving up to 10 times, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. US university researchers estimate that, as of April 21, 57% of all buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed.

AIPAC's Stance

In a statement last week, AIPAC expressed its pride in supporting strong pro-Israel progressive Democrats like Wesley Bell. The group criticized Cori Bush for being one of the most hostile critics of Israel since her arrival in Congress in 2021 and accused her of actively undermining mainstream Democratic support for the U.S.-Israel relationship.

AIPAC's Support and Influence

However, AIPAC's support is not limited to progressive Democrats. The group also supports the most conservative Republicans, as long as they align with the Israeli agenda. AIPAC recently spent $300,000 on ads targeting Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, who has voted against several pro-Israel bills in recent months. This move was not aimed at defeating Massie in his primary, which he won comfortably, but rather as a preemptive strike against a potential Massie 2026 run for the Senate seat of retiring Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Social Media Reactions

AIPAC celebrated Bush's defeat on social media and issued a veiled warning to any politician who might dare criticize Israel or vote against redistributing American wealth to it. In another post, AIPAC repeated its election-year claim that “being pro-Israel is good policy and good politics!” However, this claim is contradicted by the fact that pro-Israel groups rarely mention Israel in their campaign advertisements.

Non-Israel Related Vulnerabilities

Bush had other electoral vulnerabilities, such as voting against Biden’s $1 trillion infrastructure bill because it didn't include progressive giveaways like free community college and universal family leave. She was also seen as a major hypocrite, promoting “defund the police” policies only to find herself the subject of a DOJ investigation into her campaign spending more than $130,000 on private security. Bell's campaign portrayed Bush as an unproductive representative primarily focused on cultivating her Squad celebrity status.

Future Political Prospects

As the race neared its conclusion, Bush, who won her seat in 2020, could see the writing on the wall. Last weekend, she told NBC News, “One thing I don’t do is go away.” However, her future political path will be significantly influenced by groups advocating for the interests of a small country 6,400 miles from St. Louis.

Bottom Line

The influence of the Israel lobby in US politics is undeniable, as evidenced by the recent primary elections. The lobby's ability to significantly sway electoral outcomes raises questions about the fairness of the electoral system. What are your thoughts on this? Share this article with your friends and discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, delivered every day at 6pm.