New York Jewish Voters Clash Over AIPAC as Primary Race Intensifies

By Sam Barron | Thursday, June 18, 2026

AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby group, has made its presence felt in a heated New York City Democratic primary campaign, despite not spending any money on the race.

Former city Comptroller Brad Lander, running against Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., has run numerous ads attempting to tie Goldman to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

In one of two dozen fundraising emails mentioning the group, Lander wrote: “We can’t let AIPAC and other pro-Netanyahu groups make an example out of me.”

Lander also added: “Now when pro-Netanyahu groups are trying to control who gets elected to Congress, I’m asking you to join our movement to stop them.”

While both candidates are Jewish, Lander has criticized Goldman for supporting U.S. military aid to Israel.

Goldman has run ads criticizing President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and claims he has returned campaign donations received from AIPAC.

Goldman stated that AIPAC’s endorsement of him may be hurting his campaign but described Lander’s anti-AIPAC rhetoric as a “dog whistle.” He said: “It’s just continuing a pattern of lying to and deceiving voters with buzzwords and litmus tests that are not factual.”

“I am very concerned that people — Jews like Brad, who are using Israel and AIPAC as a wedge issue in a race — ultimately may win this battle, but do serious damage to the Jewish community,” Goldman added.

Lander countered that Goldman was being “cynical.” He said: “I find that language offensive. Like, I don’t want the support of antisemites. I’m a proud Jew, I wear it on my sleeve.”

“What AIPAC is doing is a shanda, is bad for American democracy, is of course bad for Palestinians who are created b’tzelem Elohim, in God’s image, is bad for Israel, has shredded U.S. credibility in the world,” Lander stated.

“And most people in this district, including, I believe most Jews in this district, agree with me,” Lander continued.

Lander acknowledged there is no evidence of AIPAC involvement in the race but said supporters of the group have donated to his opponent. He described AIPAC as “corroding our democracy and making Jews less safe.”

At a debate, Goldman noted that while AIPAC “has some real problems and is harmful in many ways,” he coordinates with the organization and others like J Street on this issue.

A former New York City Council member and head of the Met Council, David Greenfield, described the anti-AIPAC campaigning as “obscene.” He added: “When we look back, this will have been the high point of anti-AIPAC fervor. I think some of it is irrational and unfair.”

Greenfield also warned: “Crossing from anti-Israel to discriminating against Jewish constituents, I think that’s a very dangerous place to be.”