American Israel Public Affairs Committee
| American Israel Public Affairs Committee | |
 | |
| Basic facts | |
| Location: | Washington, D.C. |
| Type: | 501(c)(4) |
| Affiliation: | Bipartisan |
| Top official: | Elliot Brandt, CEO |
| Founder(s): | Isaiah Kenen |
| Year founded: | 1954 |
| Website: | Official website |
American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is a 501(c)(4) organization which promotes "pro-Israel policies that strengthen and expand the U.S.-Israel relationship in ways that enhance the security of the United States and Israel."[1] As of January 2026, AIPAC said it had more than six million members and sought bipartisan support to strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship.[2]
Background
Isaiah Kenen founded AIPAC in 1954 under the name American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs. In 1959, the name was changed to American Israel Public Affairs Committee to "enlist the support of broad-based Jewish organizations such as the American Jewish Congress, the American Jewish Committee, and the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai Brith," according to Morris S. Solomon of The Industrial College of the Armed Forces.[3]
As of January 2026, Elliot Brandt was AIPAC's CEO. AIPAC said its priorities were strengthening the U.S.-Israel relationship, supporting security assistance to Israel, promoting peace, countering Iran’s aggression and nuclear weapons quest, combatting terrorism, and opposing anti-Israel discrimination.[1][4]
Leadership
As of September 2025, the following individuals held leadership positions at AIPAC:[4][5]
- Elliot Brandt, CEO
- Bernard Kaminetsky, president
Work and activities
Electoral activities and influence
According to AIPAC, "We support pro-Israel members of Congress and help pro-Israel candidates for Congress defeat anti-Israel candidates through the AIPAC PAC, the AIPAC Political Portal, and through the new super PAC we are supporting, United Democracy Project (UDP)."[6]
Founded in 2021, the AIPAC PAC is AIPAC's political action committee. The PAC's mission as of January 2026 was to "support pro-Israel Democratic and Republican members of Congress and congressional candidates to secure the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship."[7] A year after its founding, the PAC reported that it was the largest contributor to candidates in U.S. politics on a dollar-for-dollar basis. In 2024, the PAC said it contributed more than $53 million to 361 pro-Israel Democratic and Republican candidates. Of those supported, 96% won in the general election.[8][9]
Founded in 2022, the United Democracy Project is AIPAC's affiliated super PAC.[10] As of January 2026, the super PAC focused on advertising and voter outreach and spent $37 million in 2024 "to help defeat anti-Israel candidates and strengthen their opponents."[11]
Legislative and policy work
According to AIPAC, it "has built a reputation for providing reliable, credible and timely research and information for decision makers in Washington and across the country."[1] As of January 2026, recent bills AIPAC lobbied in support of included the Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025, The United States-Israel Defense Partnership Act of 2025, The Space Technology and Regional Security (STARS) Act of 2024, the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, and The 21st Century Peace Through Strength Act.[12]
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this organization made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Affiliations
Founded in 2021, the AIPAC PAC is AIPAC's political action committee. The PAC's mission as of January 2026 was to "support pro-Israel Democratic and Republican members of Congress and congressional candidates to secure the future of the U.S.-Israel relationship."[7]
Founded a year later, the United Democracy Project is AIPAC's affiliated super PAC.[10] The super PAC focused on advertising and voter outreach as of January 2026.[11]
Incorporated in 1988, the American Israel Education Foundation is the 501(c)(3) affiliate of AIPAC. As of January 2026, the nonprofit provided grants "to support select educational programs including Middle East research, educational materials and conferences, and leadership programs for university students."[13] It also funded educational trips to Israel for members of Congress.[13]
Finances
The following is a breakdown of American Israel Public Affairs Committee's revenues and expenses from 2014 to 2021. The information comes from the Internal Revenue Service.
| Year | Revenue | Expenses |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | $77.7 million | $69.3 million |
| 2015 | $88.6 million | $102.3 million |
| 2016 | $105.9 million | $103.9 million |
| 2017 | $107.8 million | $99.3 million |
| 2018 | $104.7 million | $102.4 million |
| 2019 | $133.9 million | $109.8 million |
| 2020 | $96.6 million | $92.1 million |
| 2021 | $78.3 million | $63.5 million |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 AIPAC, "Policies We Support," accessed January 27, 2026
- ↑ AIPAC, "About Us," accessed January 27, 2026
- ↑ The Industrial College of the Armed Forces, "The Agenda and Political Techniques of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)," 1993 (pages 3-4)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 119th U.S. Congress, "Elliot Brandt biography," accessed January 27, 2026
- ↑ The Jerusalem Post, "No. 43: Elliot Brandt, Bernard Kaminetsky: The leaders of AIPAC," September 21, 2025
- ↑ AIPAC, "About AIPAC - 2023," accessed January 27, 2026
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 AIPAC PAC, "Our Mission," accessed January 27, 2026
- ↑ AIPAC, "2024 Congressional Report - Bipartisan - February 2025," accessed January 27, 2026
- ↑ AIPAC, "The AIPAC PAC in 2022," accessed January 27, 2026
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Federal Election Commission, "Statement of Organization," January 3, 2022
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Facebook, "AIPAC," November 5, 2024
- ↑ AIPAC, "Resources: Bill Summary," accessed January 27, 2026
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 American Israel Education Foundation, "Mission Statement," accessed January 28, 2026
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