Dozens of US lawmakers and Capitol Hill staff have enjoyed lavish, gifted travel to Israel funded by an affiliate of the pro-Israel lobby Aipac since 7 October 2023, according to a Guardian analysis of congressional ethics filings. The trips, organised by the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF), involved one-sided briefings on Middle East politics and meetings with Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The analysis found that at least 26 Democratic and 52 Republican representatives attended AIEF trips in at least 15 delegations, with the group spending over $4.2 million – an average of more than $26,600 per member. Some lawmakers, including Democrats Steny Hoyer, Greg Landsman and Brad Schneider, took multiple trips during this period. The trips included stays at luxury hotels, dining at top-tier restaurants and briefings in a West Bank settlement.
The continued participation of Democratic lawmakers is notable given that support for Israel has plummeted among Democratic voters. A recent poll found that eight in 10 Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents view Israel unfavourably, along with six in 10 Americans overall. Some Democratic politicians have recently sought to distance themselves from Aipac.
AIEF is a charitable affiliate of Aipac, enjoying non-profit status that allows Aipac to bypass federal prohibitions on lobbying organisations funding overseas travel for US officials. The foundation has sponsored such trips for years, bankrolled by a small number of Jewish philanthropic foundations, including that of Republican mega-donor Paul Singer.
AIEF defended the trips, saying they are designed to educate participants about the US-Israel relationship and regional security challenges. A spokesperson said participants meet Israeli officials and civilians from across the political spectrum, offering “well-rounded insights” into the region’s complexities.
