DNC Rejects AIPAC Resolution

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) rejected a resolution specifically targeting AIPAC's influence in Democratic primaries but passed a broader resolution condemning dark money. The decision comes as outside groups have significantly increased spending in primary races, causing internal tensions within the party.

According to multiple reports, the DNC's resolutions committee voted on Thursday to kill a measure targeting AIPAC and deferred two further resolutions on Middle East policy to a working group. The rejected resolution aimed to confront what its sponsors described as the outsized influence of dark money in Democratic primaries, singling out AIPAC.

The defeat of the resolution targeting AIPAC was anticipated but lands as a fresh blow to progressives who have grown increasingly furious at AIPAC's intervention in Democratic contests. The DNC chair, Ken Martin, endorsed a broader approach on X, arguing the party should pursue a blanket rejection of outside money rather than target specific organizations.

The decision has sparked criticism from progressives within the party. IMEU’s executive director, Margaret DeReus, said in a statement about the DNC's decision that 'Aipac’s extreme agenda for unconditional weapons funding to Israel is deeply out of step not just with most Democrats, but with the majority of the American people.' Meanwhile, some Democrats blame the party's support for Israel for their 2024 election setbacks.

Progressive candidates have channeled concerns about AIPAC and Middle East policy into their campaigns. In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed is running for Democratic Senate nomination, challenging more establishment-backed rivals over the Iran conflict and pressing the party to stop accepting donations from weapons manufacturers and Aipac. Tensions have flared as progressive activists push for a stronger anti-war stance within the party.

Democratic leaders continue to face pressure to address foreign policy issues, with public opinion polls showing broad disapproval of current conflicts. The internal debate comes as Democrats try to rebuild after 2024, in light of findings that the Biden administration’s approach toward Israel’s war on Gaza cost Democrats critical support in the last presidential election.

When the Democratic party’s governing body adjourned its meeting on Saturday in New Orleans, supporters of Palestine and an end to the genocide in Gaza had few reasons to celebrate. The DNC continues to operate as if fully sealed off from the party’s voters on such matters. When the national meeting got under way on Thursday, the party’s resolutions committee quickly discarded a pair of resolutions critical of Israel.

One resolution urged 'an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territory' as well as 'pausing or conditioning US weapons transfers to any military units credibly implicated in violations of international humanitarian law'. Another included opposition to 'military actions that endanger civilians or exacerbate repression' in Iran. These resolutions were deferred to a Middle East working group, which has scarcely met since its establishment last August by DNC chair Ken Martin.

Halie Soifer, the CEO of the Jewish Democratic Council of America and former national security adviser to Kamala Harris, praised the DNC’s 'rejection of two resolutions related to Israel', stating they were 'out of step with the policies of the Democratic party'. This description was accurate as the resolutions supported Palestinian human rights and opposed US support for Israeli actions in Gaza and Iran.

The disconnect between Democratic leadership and the party's base on Israel has been noted by various commentators. Norman Solomon, director of RootsAction, described the DNC as a model of what ails the party leadership at a time when US-Israel alliance policies have caused significant harm in the Middle East.