The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is a lobbying group that advocates pro-Israel policies to the Congress and Executive Branch of the United States. The current President of AIPAC is Lillian Pinkus. One of several pro-Israel lobbying organizations in the U.S., AIPAC has more than 100,000 members, seventeen regional offices, and "a vast pool of donors." It has been called "the most important organization affecting America's relationship with Israel," and one of the most powerful lobbying groups in the United States. The group does not raise funds for political candidates itself, but helps organize to channel money to candidates. Its critics have stated it acts as an agent of the Israeli government with a "stranglehold" on the United States Congress with its power and influence. The group has been accused of being strongly allied with the Likud party of Israel, and the Republican Party in the US, but an AIPAC spokesman has called this a "malicious mischaracterization." AIPAC, on the other hand, describes itself as a bipartisan organization, and bills it lobbies for in Congress are always jointly sponsored by both a Democrat and Republican.  AIPAC's supporters claim its bipartisan nature can be seen at its yearly policy conference, which in 2016 included both parties' front-runners (Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump), as well as high ranking Democrats, including Vice President Joe Biden, and high-ranking Republicans, including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

1. AIPA
C
AMERICAN ISRAEL PUBLIC
AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

2. INTRODUCTION
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee is a lobbying group
that advocates pro-Israel policies to the Congress and Executive
Branch of the United States. The current President of AIPAC is
Lillian Pinkus.
One of several pro-Israel lobbying organizations in the U.S., AIPAC
has more than 100,000 members, seventeen regional offices, and "a
vast pool of donors."
It has been called "the most important organization affecting
America's relationship with Israel," and one of the most powerful
lobbying groups in the United States.
The group does not raise funds for political candidates itself, but
helps organize to channel money to candidates.

3. INTRODUCTION
Its critics have stated it acts as an agent of the Israeli
government with a "stranglehold" on the United States
Congress with its power and influence.
The group has been accused of being strongly allied with the
Likud party of Israel, and the Republican Party in the US, but
an AIPAC spokesman has called this a "malicious
mischaracterization."
AIPAC, on the other hand, describes itself as a bipartisan
organization, and bills it lobbies for in Congress are always
jointly sponsored by both a Democrat and Republican.

4. AIPAC'S BIPARTICIAN
NATURE
AIPAC's supporters claim its bipartisan nature can be
seen at its yearly policy conference, which in 2016
included both parties' front-runners (Hillary Clinton and
Donald Trump), as well as high ranking Democrats,
including Vice President Joe Biden, and high-ranking
Republicans, including Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.

5. AIPAC'S MISSION
To strengthen, protect and promote the U.S.-Israel
relationship in ways that enhance the security of the
United States and Israel.

6. WORKING OF AIPAC
AIPAC empowers pro-Israel activists across all ages, religions,
races and political parties to be politically engaged and build
relationships with members of Congress from both sides of the
aisle to promote the U.S.-Israel relationship.
The vital work of AIPAC is made possible by its dedicated
membership participating in AIPAC’s Clubs, investing with
the AIPAC Tomorrow Campaign, and engaging politically
with members of Congress.
More than 100,000 citizens from across the country work with
their elected officials and AIPAC staff to strengthen the bonds
between the United States and the Jewish state.

7. WORKING OF AIPAC
AIPAC is not a political action committee (PAC) and it do not
rate or endorse candidates for elected or appointed office.
AIPAC members in all 50 states are encouraged to be
politically active and develop relationships with their members
of Congress to help educate them about the importance of
U.S.-Israel ties.
Beyond building support in Washington, AIPAC engages pro-
Israel activists across the country through a vibrant network of
10 regional offices and seven satellite offices. Pro-Israel
activists from Missoula to Miami work hand-in-hand with
AIPAC staff to improve the future and security of the United
States and Israel.
A strong U.S.-Israel relationship is a cause that concerns a
broad spectrum of Americans. As such, AIPAC professionals
work with a wide range of communities to promote pro-Israel
political activism nation-wide.

8. WORKING OF AIPAC
AIPAC is also working to foster the next generation of
American pro-Israel leaders, by working on hundreds of
college and high school campuses, empowering and
educating student activists to answer Israel's detractors
and use political involvement to build support for Israel.

9. AIPAC’S SUCCESS AIPAC

10. AIPAC'S SUCCESS
With the support of our members nationwide, AIPAC
works with Democrats and Republicans in Congress and
leaders in the executive branch to protect and strengthen
the U.S.-Israel relationship.

11. AIPAC'S SUCCESS
1.Keeping America and Israel Secure
2.Educating a Nation about Iran
3.Working Together to Achieve Peace
4.Defending Israeli Citizens From Terrorist's Missiles
5.Ensuring Israel's Right to Self-Defense
6.Securing the U.S. Homeland

12. KEEPING AMERICA AND
ISRAEL
SECURE
AIPAC works with Congress to ensure that Israel is able
to defend itself. The Jewish state needs critical security
assistance to remain capable of facing increased threats
posed by terrorist groups and those sworn to its
destruction.

13. EDUCATING A NATION
ABOUT
IRAN
For more than 20 years, AIPAC has worked to prevent
Iran from gaining a nuclear weapons capability in order
to protect the security of the United States and our allies,
including Israel.
This policy approach led to the construction of a broad
sanctions regime that effectively pressured Iran to enter
negotiations. It helped establish the bipartisan opposition
to the nuclear agreement with Iran and laid a strong
foundation for future congressional action.

14. WORKING TOGETHER TO
ACHIEVE PEACE
AIPAC supports America’s efforts to help Israel achieve
peace with its neighbors. Real peace with all its neighbors
has eluded the Jewish state for more than 60 years, but
the two times its Arab neighbors have been willing to talk
were through direct negotiations supported by the United
States. It supported these, and all efforts to achieve peace
through direct talks.

15. DEFENDING ISRAELI
CITIZENS
FROM TERRORIST'S
MISSILES
AIPAC's efforts have enhanced U.S.-Israel defense
cooperation by securing hundreds of millions of dollars
each year for key U.S.-Israel defense programs, including
the Arrow missile defense system and Iron Dome rocket
defense system.

16. ENSURING ISRAEL'S RIGHT
TO
SELF-DEFENSE
The delegitimization of Israel and its right to self-defense
is constantly in question.
Congressional resolutions, letters and statements of
support for Israel’s defensive actions in the face of
terrorism by groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah have
helped send a strong message to the Jewish state's
adversaries.

17. SECURING THE U.S.
HOMELAND
Increasing U.S.-Israel Homeland Security cooperation by
passing landmark legislation creating an office within the
Department of Homeland Security to support joint
research and development projects between the United
States and key allies, such as Israel.

18. USA & ISREAL
RELATIONSHIP
AIPAC

19. USA & ISRAEL
RELATIONSHIP
Close strategic, economic, political and diplomatic ties
between the United States and Israel further U.S.
interests, promote regional peace and enhance the
security of both nations.
The United States and Israel share the same values and a
common commitment to democracy and freedom. Israel
is America’s most reliable friend and only democratic
ally in the Middle East, one of the world’s most volatile
and important regions.

20. USA & ISRAEL
RELATIONSHIP
1.Pursuing Peace
2.Fighting Terrorism
3.Military Partnership
4.Technology & Innovation
5.Energy & Environment
6.Shared Values
7.Strong Allies

21. PURSUING PEACE
Israel has only been recognized by two of its 22 Arab
neighbors, but that has not stopped the Jewish state and
the United States from working together to achieve peace
in the Middle East.

22. FIGHTING TERRORISM
Israel is working with U.S. government and private
entities to develop technologies and equipment aimed at
thwarting terrorism and safeguarding citizens from both
nations.

23. MILITARY PARTNERSHIP
The military partnership between the United States and
Israel has helped both countries keep their soldiers safe,
strengthen their militaries, and protect their homelands.

24. TECHNOLOGY &
INNOVATION
Bilateral ties in trade and technology launched in the
1970s and cemented in the U.S.-Israel Free Trade
Agreement of 1985 have yielded groundbreaking
advances and joint economic growth for the two allies.

25. ENERGY &
ENVIRONMENT
The American and Israeli governments, as well as private
business ventures in both countries, are partnering to
promote new energy solutions and ensure both countries
long-term energy security.

26. SHARED VALUES
Commitment to democracy, the rule of law, freedom of
religion and speech and human rights are all core values
shared between the United States and Israel.

27. ISSUES AIPAC

28. ISSUES
AIPAC closely monitors a broad range of issues that
affect the U.S.-Israel relationship. Over the past 50 years,
AIPAC has built a reputation for providing reliable,
credible and timely research and information for decision
makers in Washington and across the country.

29. IRAN
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
reported Jan. 16 that Iran had met its initial nuclear
commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of
Action (JCPOA). Accordingly, “Implementation Day”
was reached and the P5+1 lifted nuclear-related sanctions
on Iran. The Iranian market has now reopened for
business and Tehran has gained access to over $100
billion in previously frozen assets.

30. PEACE PROCESS
Time and again the Jewish state has demonstrated its
willingness to make tough sacrifices for peace. In 1979
Israel withdrew its forces and uprooted Jewish settlers in
the Sinai Peninsula to achieve peace with Egypt. Israel
has also left its positions in the Gaza Strip, parts of the
West Bank and South Lebanon to reach peace with its
neighbors.