Breaking AIPAC’s Grip: How Democratic Socialists Are Changing the Game

posted on: Aug 5, 2026

Photo By Elvert Barnes

By: Megan Guzman Abbott / Arab America Contributing Writer

Have you ever wondered how Democratic Socialists are orchestrating their rapid rise in US politics and what their growing power means for the future of Palestine advocacy? For decades, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) maintained significant influence in U.S. politics by making opposition to support for Israel politically costly. But that formula is beginning to break down. Democratic Socialists and progressive organizers have developed a new political strategy: building broad working-class coalitions, investing in grassroots organizing, and electing candidates who support Palestinian rights. Their growing success is not only challenging AIPAC’s dominance but also reshaping how Palestine advocacy is conducted within American politics.

The Political Realignment on Israel

For decades, American policy toward Israel centered on an unwavering diplomatic partnership, sustained military aid, and intelligence cooperation. The United States has been Israel’s shield many times, using its veto power at the United Nations Security Council more than 50 times since 1972 to block resolutions critical of Israeli policies. This relationship has been upheld by every recent administration, from Reagan and Bush to Obama and Biden. Militarily, this consensus is also written into US law. In 2008, Congress passed legislation mandating that the United States must guarantee Israel a “Qualitative Military Edge” over any other nation in the Middle East. Likewise, there has been a political expectation for candidates to demonstrate a pro-Israel stance, which has become embedded in some Democratic races. During New York City’s 2025 Democratic mayoral debate, candidates were asked where they would make their first foreign trip if elected. Four out of the nine candidates said Israel, with only Zohran Mamdani saying he would not take a foreign trip at all. After that, moderators immediately followed up by asking whether he would visit Israel and later questioned him about whether Israel had the right to exist as a Jewish state. The candidates who picked Canada, Colombia, Jamaica, or the Caribbean were not questioned. 

However, the political ground is shifting rapidly. In July 2026, 103 House Democrats broke ranks, voting in favor of Rep. Thomas Massie’s amendment to eliminate $3.3 billion in US military funding to Israel. The amendment ultimately failed, but the vote marked one of the largest Democratic breaks with longstanding support for military aid to Israel in recent history. A few weeks later, over half of the Senate Democratic caucus voted to block the sale of assault rifles to Israel. In 2024, only 37 Democrats voted during a similar situation. 

The shift did not happen overnight. Recent Gallup polling reveals Americans sympathizing more with Palestinians than Israelis. They reflect years of organizing by progressive activists and Democratic Socialists who have reframed Palestine from a “niche” foreign policy issue into a broader debate about human rights, economic priorities, and U.S. military spending. However, changing public opinion alone was not enough. The next challenge for organizers was turning this growing support into political power through grassroots campaigns, labor alliances, and electoral organizing.

Building a Working-Class Coalition

This political realignment represents far more than an electoral strategy; it marks an evolution in how the Palestine movement builds political power in the US. By building coalitions with the Democratic Socialists of America and progressive labor groups, a new generation of organizers has transformed Palestine advocacy from a single-issue campaign into part of a broader coalition. A key part of this strategy has been connecting foreign policy to the everyday concerns of working-class Americans. Rather than treating Palestine as an isolated, far-away international issue, Democratic Socialist organizers have linked it to campaigns focused on labor rights, healthcare, education, and economic needs. This approach has allowed the movement to reach voters beyond traditional activists across the country.

A prime example is from July 2024, when a coalition of seven major unions, including the United Auto Workers (UAW), the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and the United Electrical Workers (UE), sent a letter to the Biden administration demanding an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. 

Likewise, this momentum has been seen in the electoral races heading into the 2026 midterms. In cities like Detroit, New York, and Philadelphia, Arab American youth are organizing alongside Black liberation groups, climate activists, and leaders to form a united front that multimillion-dollar ad campaigns can’t easily buy. Unlike traditional campaigns that rely heavily on large donors and outside spending, these candidates have relied on grassroots organizing, volunteer networks, labor endorsements, and community-based movements to build voter support.

Claire Valdez’s victory in New York’s 7th Congressional District demonstrated the strength of labor community organizing strategy, with UAW members bringing volunteers to support her campaign. Similarly, Darializa Avila Chevalier’s victory in New York’s 13th Congressional District showed how advocacy for Palestine has become part of a community strategy. As a Columbia University student, Avila Chevalier was involved in organizing Palestinian protests, which shaped her background as a community organizer and later her campaign for foreign policy advocacy and issues such as housing and healthcare, allowing her to connect with her voters through a wider progressive platform. In New Jersey, Dr. Adam Hamawy’s victory showed how candidates could expand Palestine advocacy beyond foreign policy by connecting his experience as a reconstructive trauma surgeon who volunteered in Gaza with broader issues such as healthcare and humanitarian concerns.

However, these victories do not mean AIPAC’s influence has disappeared from American politics. The organization remains one of the most powerful forces in Democratic primary politics, continuing to rely on its best tool: financial resources.

David vs. Goliath: Grassroots Mobilization vs. AIPAC’s Millions

Through the United Democracy Project, AIPAC has spent large amounts to unseat Reps. Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman in 2024, and now has put over $104 million into the 2026 election cycle. 

In Michigan alone, UDP has spent $30.6 million in the Democratic Senate primary to defeat progressive candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, making it one of the largest investments the group has ever made in a single race. In previous cycles, this had left pro-Palestine candidates outspent and vulnerable. Progressives are winning because they stopped trying to beat AIPAC at its own game and instead built a model of political power.

In February 2026, a new political organization launched with the intention of challenging AIPAC’s influence in Democratic primaries, providing progressive candidates with the financial and strategic resources needed to compete against well-funded opposition. It is partnered with groups such as the Justice Democrats, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), and Senator Bernie Sanders’s political network. The organization focused on strengthening grassroots campaigns and expanding the political reach of candidates advocating for human rights and progressive policies.

A Shift That Cannot Be Undone

The growing strength of these coalitions marks a turning point in American politics. While the battle against AIPAC and lobbying interests is far from over, the dominance AIPAC held over the Democratic Party is being weakened. 

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the political landscape looks different from what it did just a few years ago. For the broader Palestine movement, this shift offers a clear roadmap forward. The movement is no longer just protesting policy from the outside. Through socialist organizing, grassroots mobilization, and coalition-building, it is beginning to reshape the political culture that has long maintained unwavering support for Israel within the Democratic Party.

Whether this model continues to succeed remains to be a point of discussion. However, Democratic Socialists have already demonstrated that disciplined grassroots organizing, labor alliances, and coalition politics can challenge even the most well-funded lobbying organizations. In doing so, they have fundamentally changed the rules of Palestine advocacy in American politics.

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