The American Israel Education Foundation, a charitable affiliate of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, has funded numerous lavish trips for US lawmakers to Israel since October 2023, according to recent reports. These trips are intended to strengthen support for Israel within the US government.
Background and Funding
Established in 1988, the AIEF has enabled AIPAC to avoid federal oversight of its sponsorship of overseas travel for US officials. In 2019 alone, the foundation sponsored 129 trips totaling $2.32 million for lawmakers and senior staff, funded by Jewish charities, as reported by The Intercept.
Post-October 2023 Activities
Since Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza in late 2023, the AIEF has organized weeklong trips for at least 78 US lawmakers—26 Democrats and 52 Republicans. Participants stayed at luxury hotels, dined at high-end restaurants, and visited illegal settlements in the West Bank. They also met with senior officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, military contractors, and extremist figures advocating for West Bank annexation and Palestinian displacement.
Stephen Walt, a professor at Harvard’s Kennedy School, noted that these trips are a standard tool for building congressional support for Israel. The Guardian revealed the scale of these trips through ethics filings and public data, showing that since 2023, the AIEF has spent over $4.2 million on 15 delegations.
Shifting Public Opinion
American support for Israel has declined sharply since October 2023. A recent poll found that 80% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents view Israel unfavorably, along with 60% of all Americans. This marks a significant shift in a country that historically showed bipartisan support for Israel.
Notable Participants and Litmus Test
Several lawmakers, including Democrats Steny Hoyer, Greg Landsman, and Brad Schneider, have taken multiple AIEF-funded trips. Walt described participation as a litmus test for politicians signaling a pro-Israel stance to AIPAC and donors. In February, a trip for five Democratic and seven Republican staffers occurred just before US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran. In March 2024, eight Democratic lawmakers visited military sites on the Lebanese border and an Israeli cemetery.
Comparison with Other Organizations
The AIEF is one of several pro-Israel groups sponsoring such trips, including J Street and the Jewish Institute for National Security of America. However, the AIEF stands out for its generosity and trip frequency since 2023. For instance, Wesley Bell and George Latimer traveled to Israel in August 2023, later winning elections with AIPAC Super PAC support, defeating incumbents Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman.
Walt commented that these trips represent continuity, but winning support is becoming harder due to the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, as well as Israel's rightward political shift. AIEF spokesperson Deryn Sousa stated that the trips aim to educate participants about the US-Israel relationship and regional security challenges.
