AIPAC’s 2016 roundup lauds military aid deal and renewal of Iran Sanctions Act

WASHINGTON — The American Israel Public Affairs Committee highlighted its lobbying work on Iran sanctions and the new US military aid deal with Israel in an annual year in review email sent to members. It also stressed its efforts to build strong relationships with current and prospective political leaders from both parties.

The statement, signed by AIPAC president Lillian Pinkus, mentioned that come January, the nation’s capital will have a new Congressional makeup and will host a presidential inauguration, but did not make any direct reference to incoming president Donald Trump or outgoing President Barack Obama.

According to a source familiar with the matter, this was because the review was aimed to be “solely focused on congressional action.”

Trump spoke at AIPAC’s conference in March, where he delivered a staunchly pro-Israel address, but also caused controversy by attacking Obama as possibly “the worst thing to ever happen to Israel.” Obama spoke as a candidate to the AIPAC conference in 2008, and as president in 2011 and 2012.

AIPAC’s summation focused mostly on lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill and other measures in 2016 to advance its agenda, including the recent renewal of the Iran Sanctions Act and how it “encouraged” the administration to forge the $38 billion military aid Memorandum of Understanding reached in September.

Pinkus stated in the email that the lobbying group has worked hard to shore up bipartisan backing. In 2015, it was accused of fostering a partisan divide over Israel by engaging in an intense effort to block Obama’s nuclear accord with Iran and the other P5+1 powers.

“AIPAC staff and activists worked tirelessly to ensure the pro-Israel community built strong relationships with the full range of current and prospective political leaders from both parties,” she said. “We ensured that no matter what comes next in Washington, bipartisan support for Israel will remain a top priority.”