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Comment by Animats

2 years ago

"That’s where the efforts of J-Ventures’ hasbara WhatsApp group come in. The group, which also includes attorneys and individuals affiliated with the influential American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), has tirelessly worked to fire employees and punish activists for expressing pro-Palestinian views."

Is that even legal under US law? Apparently it is in some states. Federal law does not, apparently, prohibit political discrimination. But some states do - California, New York, DC, Colorado, and North Dakota.[1]

This should be reported to the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force.[2] Anyone involved in such suppression activities may be considered an "unregistered foreign agent".[3] Anyone or any organization attempting to influence US policy on behalf of a foreign government is supposed to register. Here's the database.[4]

[1] https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/political-aff...

[2] https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/counterintelligence/foreign-...

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_Agents_Registration_Ac...

[4] https://search.justice.gov/search?affiliate=justice_fara

17 comments

Animats

Reply
DevX101  2 years ago

AIPAC itself is a result of the President Eisenhower and later Robert F Kennedy (DOJ) demanding the American Zionist Council (AZC) register as foreign agents. Because of this, the AZC rebranded to AIPAC with the same leadership and the issue seemed to have fell off the high priority political radar since.

Incidentally, the founder of AIPAC, Isaiah Kenen registered twice with the U.S. Department of Justice under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) as an agent for Israel. Prior to leading AIPAC, he was the leader of the American Zionist Council. He was also chief information officer for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

AIPAC's mission is pretty clear: to promote the interests of Israel. This is fine, and not unique, but that seems to me to be the textbook definition of a foreign agent, and it should be registered as such.

AIPAC has a very large budget and will be spending over $100M in 2024 to defeat any candidate for US Congress that did not align with their pro-Israel goals.

  • digianarchist  2 years ago

    Two questions:

    1. Does AIPAC's use of dual-citizens (American-Israelis) allow it to circumvent the Foreign Agent Registration Act?

    2. Is there any other analog to AIPAC operating in the United States for a foreign nation?

    • raincom  2 years ago

      I vaguely remember from John Mearsheimer's talk that AIPAC doesn't use any funds from Israel. Instead, AIPAC funds come from American citizens, that makes them evade FARA.

      From Wiki: 'FARA requires those who receive funds or act on behalf of a foreign government to register as a foreign agent. However, AIPAC states that the organization is a registered American lobbying group, funded by private donations, and maintains it receives "no financial assistance" from Israel or any other foreign group'

    • Animats  2 years ago

      1. No. It doesn't matter where the agent is from. It matters who the "foreign principal" is.

      2. Five China news agencies and Russia Today are registered as foreign agents. There are also over 200 foreign PACs, but they're mostly businesses. The Overseas Friends of the BJP (the ruling party in India) is registered as a foreign agent. That's probably the closest match.

lossolo  2 years ago

You should watch this documentary:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15721106

The documentary "Boycott" explores the legislation passed in several U.S. states, including Arkansas, Arizona, and Texas, that requires individuals to pledge not to boycott Israel as a condition for receiving government funds. This legislation emerged in response to the Palestinian-led BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement against Israel. The film follows individuals who challenged these laws, including a publisher in Arkansas, an attorney in Arizona, and a speech pathologist in Texas, highlighting their legal battles and the implications for free speech

rcpt  2 years ago

There have been many arguments that AIPAC should register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act but my understanding is that in it's current form AIPAC doesn't qualify.

I see this as a reason to strengthen the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

flyinglizard  2 years ago

[flagged]

  • anigbrowl  2 years ago

    In this context, 'foreign agent' means 'agent of a foreign power', not that one is a foreigner. This is what US Senator Bob Menendez is being prosecuted for; it's alleged that he was an undeclared agent of the Egyptian government. AIPAC is run by Americans, but it does advocate on behalf of the state of Israel; I'm unclear to what extent it is financially supported or directed by the government of Israel. Having IDF people advising on information war strategies (as described in the article) does make it seem official though.