AIPAC has said it will end candidate endorsements, direct political action committee contributions and earmarked funds, as the pro-Israel organisation faces growing opposition over its role in US elections.
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee announced the change in a letter to members on Wednesday. It said it would continue supporting candidates who share its aims by encouraging individual donors to contribute to their campaigns.
“We will prioritise increasing direct, organised contributions from individual Americans to candidates—expanding upon our current efforts—and maximising the emerging political fundraising tools,” the letter said.
AIPAC began its direct involvement in electoral politics five years ago. Its influence has since attracted criticism, particularly during the current midterm election cycle, over its positions on the wars in Gaza and Iran.
Candidates backed by the group have faced opposition from both the political right and left for accepting its financial support. As public opinion in the US has shifted over the country’s relationship with Israel, some AIPAC-endorsed candidates have said they would not take money from the organisation.
The group said the challenges it faced would “continue to grow in the years ahead”. It added that the 2028 election cycle would “demand an even stronger commitment by our activists to pro-Israel politics”.
AIPAC said it planned to increase support for Republicans and Democrats advancing policies that strengthen the US alliance with Israel and opposing legislation it considers anti-Israel.
Federal Election Commission filings show that AIPAC contributed nearly $25 million to candidates and political committees in 2026 up to 30 September. Its affiliated super PAC, United Democracy Project, contributed a further $13 million and spent $53.5 million on independent expenditures.
It remains unclear what role United Democracy Project will play under the new approach. In recent days, some of its independent expenditure campaigns have been used against Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for the US Senate in Michigan.
AIPAC also spent heavily against Mr El-Sayed during the primary, supporting his opponent, Representative Haley Stevens. The Michigan contest is among several prominent races in which the organisation has backed politicians viewed as supportive of Israel or opposed candidates it considers less favourable to the country.
An AIPAC spokesperson did not immediately comment on the changes.
