A groundbreaking initiative, the Anti-Zionist America Political Action Committee (Azapac), has launched a provocative video advertisement urging donations and volunteers to counter pro-Israeli lobbying groups in the United States. The campaign, led by former New York University professor and Libertarian Michael Rectenwald, has rapidly gained traction, amassing over 22,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter).
In the ad, Rectenwald criticizes the U.S. government’s perceived subservience to Israel, stating, ‘Our government acts like the servant of another country. That other country is, of course, the State of Israel.’ The video juxtaposes images of the Israeli flag outside U.S. Congressional offices with stark visuals of Palestinian casualties in Gaza, emphasizing the $33 billion in U.S. aid to Israel since October 7, 2023.
Azapac is already supporting two anti-Zionist candidates: Republican Aaron Baker in Florida, who aims to unseat long-serving Congressman Daniel Webster, and Independent Jose Vega in New York, challenging Democrat Ritchie Torres. The PAC’s mission is to challenge the dominant pro-Israel narrative in U.S. politics, which Rectenwald describes as ‘a national disgrace’ and ‘extortion.’
Political action committees (PACs) like Azapac are legally permitted to raise funds for or against candidates, with contributions capped at $5,000 per election cycle. In contrast, Super PACs like the American Israel Political Action Committee (Aipac) can spend unlimited amounts on advertising and voter outreach without direct contributions to candidates.
Azapac is not the first group to challenge Aipac’s influence. Last year, a coalition of over 20 progressive organizations formed Reject AIPAC to protect pro-Palestinian lawmakers from Aipac’s attacks. The coalition accused Aipac of advocating policies that violate human rights and international humanitarian law.
Rectenwald’s message resonates with growing criticism of Israel from both progressive and conservative circles, including supporters of Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again movement. ‘America isn’t a vassal state,’ he asserts. ‘We’re no one’s colony. If you’re done with the fear, done with our politicians taking bribes, then Azapac is your army.’
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