For years, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has been known for its powerful influence in shaping U.S. foreign policy towards Israel and its occupation of Palestine. Its tactics of lobbying, campaign financing, and media manipulation have been highly effective in crushing support for Palestinian rights and promoting the interests of the Israeli government. But now, it seems that these same tactics are being exported to Europe through a network of U.S. donors and organizations.
One of the key players in this network is ELNET, the European Leadership Network. Founded in 2007, ELNET claims to be a non-partisan organization that aims to strengthen the relationship between Europe and Israel. However, a closer look at its funding sources reveals a different story.
According to a recent investigation by The Intercept, ELNET has received significant funding from a number of American donors, many of whom have close ties to AIPAC. These include Sheldon Adelson, a billionaire casino magnate and staunch supporter of Israel, as well as the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, which has donated millions to pro-Israel causes.
But why would American donors be interested in funding an organization that operates in Europe? The answer lies in ELNET’s mission to promote pro-Israel policies and combat what it sees as the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe. This is a cause that is close to the hearts of many American donors who see Europe as a hotbed of anti-Israel sentiment.
ELNET’s tactics mirror those of AIPAC, including lobbying European politicians, organizing trips to Israel for European leaders, and funding pro-Israel media outlets. This has raised concerns among critics who see ELNET as a front for AIPAC’s agenda in Europe.
One such critic is Palestinian-American journalist Ali Abunimah, who told The Intercept, “ELNET is a part of the effort to export the AIPAC model of influence into Europe, where it has been less successful because of the more diverse, multicultural societies and political systems.”
Indeed, Europe has traditionally been more critical of Israel’s policies towards Palestinians and has shown more support for Palestinian rights. However, with the rise of right-wing populism and the growing influence of pro-Israel groups like ELNET, this could be changing.
In recent years, ELNET has been actively involved in lobbying European governments to adopt more pro-Israel policies. This includes pushing for legislation that would equate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism, effectively silencing any dissenting voices.
ELNET’s influence is also felt in the media, with the organization funding pro-Israel news outlets such as the Jerusalem Post and the Times of Israel. This has led to accusations of biased reporting and a lack of balanced coverage on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
But perhaps the most concerning aspect of ELNET’s operations is its close ties to far-right and anti-Muslim groups in Europe. This alliance has raised alarm bells among human rights organizations, who see it as a dangerous trend that could lead to the demonization of Muslims and further marginalization of Palestinians.
Despite these concerns, ELNET has been steadily expanding its reach in Europe, with offices in Brussels, Berlin, Paris, and London. It has also formed partnerships with other pro-Israel organizations, such as the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League.
The rise of ELNET and its tactics in Europe is a cause for concern. It represents a dangerous trend of exporting the AIPAC model of influence, which has been detrimental to Palestinian rights and has stifled any meaningful debate on the Israel-Palestine conflict in the U.S.
It is time for European leaders to take a closer look at the sources of funding for organizations like ELNET and to resist any attempts to silence criticism of Israel or to equate it with anti-Semitism. The future of a just and peaceful resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict depends on it.
In the words of Ali Abunimah, “If Europe is to play a positive role in the Middle East, it must reject the AIPAC model of influence and instead support the rights of all people in the region, including Palestinians.” Let us hope that European leaders will heed this call and not allow the AIPAC of Europe to dictate their policies.
