Israel policy looms over Illinois primary election amid Iran war Pro-Israel groups in the United States are investing heavily in Illinois primary elections to shape political outcomes amid growing public discontent with Israeli policies. The contests, held in the Midwestern state, are seen as a critical test of the influence of pro-Israel lobbying efforts in the Democratic Party, particularly as the U.S. and Israel continue their joint military actions against Iran. AIPAC, the major pro-Israel advocacy group, has spent over $13.7 million on the primaries, including through shadow political action committees that operate with limited transparency. These groups have endorsed candidates aligned with pro-Israel interests, while simultaneously targeting progressive candidates who criticize Israeli policies. AIPAC’s election arm, the United Democracy Project, has been central to these efforts, though its name avoids direct references to Israel. One of the most closely watched races involves Kat Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old progressive activist running for a Democratic congressional seat previously held by Jan Schakowsky. Abughazaleh has openly condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza, labeling them a genocide, and faces competition from candidates like Daniel Biss, a centrist mayor backed by the liberal Zionist group J Street, and State Senator Laura Fine, seen as a pro-Israel candidate. AIPAC-linked groups initially supported Fine while attacking Biss, but recent strategies have shifted to focus on Abughazaleh, fearing past miscalculations in similar races. AIPAC’s influence extends to other races, including contests to fill seats left by retiring representatives. In one race, the group aims to defeat activist Kina Collins, while in another, it targets candidates like Melissa Conyears-Ervin and LaShawn Ford.#jan_schakowsky #kat_abughazaleh #laura_fine #aipac #j_street
