The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is a bipartisan grassroots lobbying organization that educates, trains, and mobilizes pro-Israel Jews and other concerned citizens to be involved in the political process to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship across Washington State and the rest of the nation. AIPAC works directly with every member of the Washington congressional delegation to help educate them about the relationship between the United States and Israel.
AIPAC members participate in activist training sessions, local caucus meetings and town hall meetings with members of Congress and senators; briefings from Middle East experts, diplomats, journalists and Israeli and American politicians; a New Leadership Development program for young professionals; and an annual statewide membership lunch and annual club-level donor recognition events.
AIPAC members receive regular email updates and action alerts focused on legislation that will affect Israel and how to contact members of Congress. AIPAC members also receive a biweekly newsletter, “The Near East Report,” which focuses on issues impacting the U.S.-Israel relationship from Capitol Hill to the Middle East and around the world.
In surveys of key decision-makers in Washington, D.C., Fortune magazine reported that AIPAC is the most influential foreign policy advocacy group on Capitol Hill. The New York Times has described AIPAC as “the most important organization affecting America’s relationship with Israel.”
Former House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt has said, “Without AIPAC’s constant support of the U.S.-Israel relationship, and all of your fighting on a daily basis to strengthen that relationship, it would not be.”