These days it’s almost impossible to go online and not read yet-another critical article about the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC); not see yet-more Congressional candidates rushing to disassociate themselves from AIPAC.

Sadly, somehow – perhaps at least in some part due to the organization and Israel’s own actions, AIPAC – and Israel – have become toxic in so many peoples’ eyes. And that deeply hurts me. It’s a far cry from how AIPAC was perceived during most of the nearly 40 years I was at AIPAC – although of course vociferous haters of AIPAC – and haters of Israel – have always been around. But never previously at the heights that we see and experience so publicly today.

This week marks exactly 40 years since I began working at AIPAC in the then-called Research and Information Department. And I had actually attended my first AIPAC Policy Conference, a few months previously – as I wrote about in April to mark that 40th Anniversary.  I continued working at AIPAC until two years ago when AIPAC decided that my 38 year stint at AIPAC should come to a  close.

About my overall view of AIPAC, I can only reiterate what I wrote in The Times of Israel two years ago “Saying Goodbye to AIPAC but not to the Cause“:  That the first time I entered the offices of AIPAC was such a thrilling moment for me.  AIPAC – “The pro-Israel Lobby” – was an organization that I had read about for years and it was THE place I had wanted to work. Not Capitol Hill. Not “The Government.” Not Academia and certainly not a corporation. And now here I was: Inside AIPAC. And not only that; I would be focusing on exactly the issues that I had been concerned about for years: The individuals and organizations whose attitude toward AIPAC and Israel were the exact opposite of mine!

Even today, AIPAC – and the broader pro-Israel cause – remains in my blood and in my kishkes and in my soul. But of course being a supporter of AIPAC – or being pro-Israel – doesn’t mean having to agree with everything AIPAC or Israel does! And criticizing AIPAC or Israel doesn’t necessarily make one either anti-AIPAC or anti-Israel.

But while I might sometimes disagree with certain things AIPAC does or says; I remain fully committed to the concept of an organization of loyal Americans, funded by Americans, doing their legal bit on a bipartisan basis to help ensure the safety and survival of the State of Israel –........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)