Rise in Attack Ads Supporting Israel in U.S. Elections
The United States is seeing a surge in attack ads and other efforts to support Israel by the pro-Israel lobby during the upcoming congressional primaries. Over the past several days, the lobby has released ads in no less than seven districts targeting those who have been vocal in recognizing Israel’s military aid and opposing the government of Israel. The groups are likely to infuse tens of millions of dollars into the primaries this cycle.
The attacks are primarily directed at the “Squad” of progressive Democrats. One congressman, Thomas Massie, notably opposed military aid for Israel and is set to face a challenge from the pro-Israel lobby. Another target, Michigan congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, has been a vocal supporter of a ceasefire and has not supported U.S. military funding for Israel.
A shift in strategy is detected in the latest round of ads, as they now focus on lawmakers who are not backing Israel’s war effort, a move that may carry risks given the Democratic party’s division over the war. At the same time, critics have accused the lobby of misrepresenting the positions of their targets.
However, despite the pro-Israel lobby’s efforts, some critics believe it may not significantly impact races in which incumbents are being challenged by new candidates.
While a significant portion of the Republican party aligns with the pro-Israel lobby, some notable exceptions exist, such as Congressman Thomas Massie, who opposes foreign aid despite supporting Israel’s right to defend itself and condemning Hamas’s attacks.
Overall, the landscape is shaping up for a contentious election cycle in the U.S., as the pro-Israel lobby ramps up its efforts to shape Congress in favor of Israel.
