“AIPAC does wonderful things not just in terms of being an advocate for the interests of Israel but also for the role it plays in educating people about Israel in a very balanced way” David Friedman (Photo: AFP/Imagebank)

Ten months ago standing on the revolving center podium at AIPAC’s annual policy conference Donald Trump expressed great joy that 2016 marked the final year of President Barack Obama’s presidency. The crowd cheered. A day later AIPAC’s president Lillian Pinkus apologized for Trump’s attack on a sitting president. In reaction Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner who reportedly wrote Trump’s AIPAC speech was also reportedly furious at AIPAC for denouncing Trump’s fiery pro-Israel speech.

Despite this kerfuffle David Friedman ambassador-designate to Israel told Jewish Insider in November that Trump had great respect for AIPAC and would seek to develop a strong working relationship with them and other mainstream Jewish American organizations. “AIPAC does wonderful things not just in terms of being an advocate for the interests of Israel but also for the role it plays in educating people about Israel in a very balanced way ” Friedman said.

But after winning the election with the support of only 24% of the Jewish vote and following statements by Trump and senior administration officials about a shift in longstanding US policy on the Middle East questions now arise about AIPAC’s relevancy in a Trump White House.

In its mission statement AIPAC — which describes itself as “America’s bipartisan pro-Israel lobby” — cites the promotion of a negotiated two-state solution as a top priority.