The acronym stands for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, an organization founded in the 1950s to promote strong relations between the United States and Israel. But in recent years the organization has become a polarizing force in the United States, pouring millions into campaigns for pro-Israel candidates and seen by many citizens as synonymous with the shadowy influence of money in politics. And the first part of that message is aimed above all at one target: Israel’s political influence in Washington. “Over these decades, the relationship between the two countries has rested on three pillars: shared values, common interests and a strong bipartisan base of support in the United States. Four years ago, it spent $29 million; by 2026, that figure had climbed to $67 million, making it one of the biggest political spenders in the United States.