DNC Rejects Resolutions Targeting AIPAC and Israel Arms Transfers

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) resolutions committee voted on Thursday, April 9, 2026, to reject a symbolic resolution that would have condemned the influence of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Democratic primary elections. The meeting, held in New Orleans, also resulted in the deferral of two additional resolutions regarding military aid to Israel.

The rejected measure specifically targeted what sponsors described as the outsized influence of dark money in Democratic primaries. The resolution highlighted AIPAC’s spending of approximately $14 million in a single Illinois Democratic primary and tens of millions more in races nationwide to oppose candidates critical of Israel.

According to reporting, AIPAC has spent more than $221 million in Democratic primaries since the 2022 midterms. In Illinois alone, the group spent over $22 million last month, utilizing shell groups such as Elect Chicago Women to funnel funds, the ties of which were only confirmed after votes were cast.

Military Aid and Task Force Referrals

In addition to the AIPAC resolution, the committee tabled two measures calling for the conditioning of military aid to Israel. One proposal called for pausing weapons transfers to Israeli military units accused of human rights violations and the recognition of Palestinian statehood. A second resolution sought to condition military aid in compliance with international law amid the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

These resolutions were referred to a task force created by DNC Chair Ken Martin in August 2025. Ron Harris, the DNC member chairing the meeting, defended the task force, stating that the group is working on a thorny issue and taking the necessary time to address it.

Critics of the move, however, argue that the task force serves as a mechanism to avoid difficult decisions. The task force has not produced concrete results since its inception in August.

Internal Party Divisions

The votes have intensified a divide between party leadership and a growing segment of the membership. Polls indicate that Democratic Party members are increasingly supportive of Palestinians and skeptical of Israel, a trend that has not yet shifted the party’s official position.

Allison Minnerly, the DNC member from Florida who sponsored the AIPAC resolution, characterized the leadership’s decision as an embarrassing display of cowardice and argued that the party is unwilling to stand up or have difficult conversations when voters need it most.

Other party figures have expressed similar frustrations. State Sen. Robert Peters, a Democrat from Chicago, stated that DNC leadership appears out of step with Democratic voters and criticized the current state of the party’s big tent approach.

The influence of AIPAC has also drawn criticism from high-profile Democratic officials. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker denounced the group for its ties to Republican donors, and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss criticized AIPAC after winning the Democratic primary for the 9th Congressional District.

Alternative Resolutions and Responses

While the specific resolution targeting AIPAC was rejected, the DNC panel approved a broader resolution condemning dark money. This measure called for robust transparency in campaign finance and a commitment to practices that align with the party’s core values. This occurred after members amended a resolution that originally targeted artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency spending to instead broadly condemn special interest spending.

Supporters of AIPAC responded to the efforts to condemn the group by labeling critics as antisemitic. During the Thursday meeting, one member argued that singling out AIPAC would be to pick on the Jews.

AIPAC has historically utilized a super PAC called the United Democracy Fund to influence Democratic primaries, taking an aggressive stance against candidates who question U.S. Support for Israel, including those open to conditioning aid based on human rights.