“I will tell you that AIPAC may call itself pro-American. They may call themselves pro-Israel. But they are neither. They have been a very destructive influence. And it is time to call them out. And the American people are catching on.” – Senator Chris Van Hollen

“I will tell you that AIPAC may call itself pro-American. They may call themselves pro-Israel. But they are neither. They have been a very destructive influence. And it is time to call them out. And the American people are catching on.” – Senator Chris Van Hollen

I have just finished attending J Street’s just-concluded 2026 National Convention. Thank you J Street for affording me the opportunity to attend their Convention – as they have done for every J Street National Conference since their inaugural Conference, back in 2009. As in previous years, I did NOT join J Street delegates in their Convention final lobbying day on the Hill.

I may in a future piece, offer some further thoughts about the J Street Conference.  (I have in the past offered my views about J Street and responded to some of their views). I would just take note of J Street’s statement issued on the eve of the Conference “J Street Statement Opposing War With Iran” and J Street lobbying on the Hill re “War Powers Resolution.”

But here, I would just like to highlight one specific comment made at the J Street Convention. The one made by Maryland’s Senior Senator, Chris Van Hollen about AIPAC.

I left AIPAC some 18 months ago after working for the organization for almost 40 years –  and I haven’t been back since. (Nor are any of my writings coordinated in any way with AIPAC!) Of course everyone is completely-free to criticize Israel and AIPAC – and they frequently do! (Over the past 18 months, as people who read my “Washington Views” posts on X and on Substack – please do! – will have seen that I myself have expressed some of my differences with both Israel and AIPAC as well as with some other American Jewish organizations and pro-Israel activists.)

Besides being an unequivocal – if not always entirely-unquestioning – supporter of the US-Israeli relationship; 

I am a resident of Maryland and am actually a genuine Independent. I have never registered as either a Democrat or a Republican. I have voted for Presidential and Congressional candidates from both parties – including in some past House and Senate elections, for Chris Van Hollen.

But when Maryland’s Senior Democratic Senator, Chris Van Hollen speaking Sunday at the J Street National Convention (after a glowing introduction from J Street Board Chair, Peter Frey) accused AIPAC of not being “pro-American;” that really is shameful McCarthyism (or worse!) And I would have hoped for and expected better from the Senator who’s been a Congressman and Senator for almost the past 25 years.  And I wasn’t exactly enthralled that at least some in the audience, applauded that particular comment by the Senator.

To quote the Senator exactly at the Conference (VIDEO courtesy J Street)”...I will tell you that AIPAC may call itself pro-American. They may call themselves pro-Israel. But they are neither. They have been a very destructive influence. And it is time to call them out. And the American people are catching on.”  (Can view the entire 30 Video of Senator Van Hollen address to J Street)

Of course it is only a few months since Senator Van Hollen accused Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington CEO Ron Halber of “being an apologist for the Netanyahu government.” (For which Van Hollen was criticized by a number of organizations; but I don’t believe the Senator ever apologized for that comment.)

Civility in politics is important. There’s too much of it already in America. And I don’t personally appreciate incivility from any quarter. But when it’s “MY” Senator accusing “MY” former organization, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which represents the views of many, many Americans – Jews and non-Jews alike -of not being “Pro-American – Not just “wrong” or “misguided” or a dozen other terms one could debate – but “Pro-American.” That’s a true Shanda (disgrace) and the implications don’t need to be spelt out. The Senator should apologize. And others should call him out for what he said.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)