AIPAC's Pro-Israel Donors Rally Behind Real Estate Tycoon With No Platform On Israel, Opposes Gaza Ceasefire
Pro-Israel donors to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) have coalesced behind a candidate who has been vocal in his opposition to a ceasefire in Gaza, despite having no platform on the issue. Jason Friedman, a former real estate mogul and chair of government affairs for the Jewish United Fund, is one of 18 candidates vying to replace Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) in Chicago.
Friedman's campaign has received over $1.5 million in donations, with major contributors including AIPAC and its super PAC, United Democracy Project. The two groups spent more than $100 million on elections last year and ousted two leading critics of Israel from Congress.
According to recent filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Friedman's campaign has received significant support from pro-Israel donors, with at least 17 donors giving money to his campaign. This includes nine people who gave six-figure contributions to United Democracy Project, a PAC that has spent millions on pro-Israel advocacy.
Critics of Friedman's views on Israel, such as former Rep. Marie Newman (D-IL), have accused him of hypocrisy, pointing out that the AIPAC donors backing his campaign believe in genocide and are funding it. "If you receive money from AIPAC donors who believe in genocide and are funding genocide, then in fact, you believe in genocide," she told The Intercept.
Friedman's campaign has been largely focused on taking on President Donald Trump on issues like healthcare, education, and the economy, but his views on Israel remain unmentioned. His campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
Meanwhile, Friedman's opponents are gearing up for a fierce battle in Chicago's Democratic primary. Other candidates vying for Davis' seat include gun violence activist Kina Collins, former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin, and immigrant advocate Anabel Mendoza.
Pro-Israel donors to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) have coalesced behind a candidate who has been vocal in his opposition to a ceasefire in Gaza, despite having no platform on the issue. Jason Friedman, a former real estate mogul and chair of government affairs for the Jewish United Fund, is one of 18 candidates vying to replace Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL) in Chicago.
Friedman's campaign has received over $1.5 million in donations, with major contributors including AIPAC and its super PAC, United Democracy Project. The two groups spent more than $100 million on elections last year and ousted two leading critics of Israel from Congress.
According to recent filings with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), Friedman's campaign has received significant support from pro-Israel donors, with at least 17 donors giving money to his campaign. This includes nine people who gave six-figure contributions to United Democracy Project, a PAC that has spent millions on pro-Israel advocacy.
Critics of Friedman's views on Israel, such as former Rep. Marie Newman (D-IL), have accused him of hypocrisy, pointing out that the AIPAC donors backing his campaign believe in genocide and are funding it. "If you receive money from AIPAC donors who believe in genocide and are funding genocide, then in fact, you believe in genocide," she told The Intercept.
Friedman's campaign has been largely focused on taking on President Donald Trump on issues like healthcare, education, and the economy, but his views on Israel remain unmentioned. His campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
Meanwhile, Friedman's opponents are gearing up for a fierce battle in Chicago's Democratic primary. Other candidates vying for Davis' seat include gun violence activist Kina Collins, former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin, and immigrant advocate Anabel Mendoza.
! AIPAC donors are literally funding someone who has no idea what they're talking about when it comes to Israel, but they're too busy being buddies with the powerful and the rich 
. It's like, yeah sure, you've got $1.5 million coming in from your super PAC, but can you even tell me about your stance on Gaza? I didn't think so 
. And don't even get me started on how they're trying to silence critics like Marie Newman who are just trying to do what's right 
. It's like, hello, isn't the whole point of democracy supposed to be being able to have an honest conversation about these things? 
This is crazy how much power AIPAC has behind this guy Jason Friedman 
. and the fact that his opponents are already gearing up for a tough battle in chicago's primary, it's gonna be an interesting election cycle 
. i'm keeping an eye on this one, because let's face it, the future of congress is at stake... and who gets to decide? 
. I mean, he's got the big bucks from AIPAC behind him, and that's what matters in Chicago politics, right? 
. So, even if Marie Newman and others think he's a sellout, what do they know? 
. Can't wait to see how this all plays out in Chicago!
so like he has no platform on Israel but aipac & their friends are ravin behind him!!! 
just read that AIPAC's donors are backing this real estate tycoon Jason Friedman who's got no platform on Israel 
guess that's a slippery slope for some folks 
I'm kinda worried about this candidate Jason Friedman 
. He has no platform on Israel but still got a ton of cash from AIPAC 
. I think it's shady that his donors are basically funding genocide and then expecting him to say something positive about Israel 
. We need someone who's not afraid to take a stand, even if it's uncomfortable 
. Friedman's opponents seem like they're on the right track 
.
I mean, no platform on the issue of Gaza ceasefire and all he's talking about is Trump's healthcare plans... sounds like more of the same old thing 
. I'm not surprised, though - AIPAC's got a long history of using their cash and clout to silence critics and push their agenda 
. It's like they're trying to create a politician who's beholden to them, rather than representing the people in his district 
. This is just more evidence that money talks louder than any politician's words 
.
i mean who needs a platform when you have that kind of cash backing you up? its kinda weird that he's not even talking about israel and just focusing on other issues. i hope we get to see some real candidates come forward with their own takes on the israel situation, you know, for chicago and the world 
anyway, i'm rooting for kina collins to take him down 
Anyway, I'm not surprised Friedman's opponents are taking him on - he's got no substance and is just riding AIPAC's coattails 