It’s Time to End Wealthy Special Interests’ Electioneering, Dark Money, and Unlimited Spending in Our Elections

[WASHINGTON D.C., June 28, 2024] – Americans for Justice in Palestine Action (AJP Action) strongly condemns the right-wing Zionist lobby’s extreme electioneering of New York’s 16th Congressional District race and other Democratic primaries. AIPAC’s outside spending of $14.5 million to defeat Congressman Jamaal Bowman for standing up for Palestinian rights undermines America’s election integrity, stifles free speech, and endangers our democracy. No group should have the right to sabotage our democracy and overturn the will of the people by spending so much money to oppose a candidate and spreading bad-faith misinformation—especially when those groups represent the interests of a foreign country. We call on Members of Congress and the Democratic party in particular to condemn this attack on the principle of one person, one vote and to use their legislative authority to make such electioneering illegal. We also call on Democrats to reject AIPAC dollars which support right-wing stances that undermine human rights, and meddle in Democratic elections to subvert the popular movement for Palestinian rights.

We must safeguard our democracy and ban dark money from elections, including through amendments like H.J.Res 48, overturning the Citizens United Supreme Court Decision that allows wealthy special interests to spend unlimited money on elections. With this primary election breaking records in spending to unseat a Congressman who dares to hold the Israeli state up to the standard of human rights, our elected officials must commit to ensuring a democracy that reflects the will of the people, not foreign interests by rejecting right-wing zionist influence in our elections, advocating for transparency in campaign finances, and pushing for legislation that reflects the will of the people and supports Palestinian rights.