Washington, D.C. – President Joe Biden, the highest recipient of pro-Israel lobby donations over the past 34 years according to OpenSecrets.org, has vehemently defended Israel against war crimes and genocide charges in international courts. This defense comes as the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, led by members who have also received significant funding from pro-Israel groups, passed legislation to sanction the International Criminal Court (ICC) for its efforts to seek arrest warrants for top Israeli officials.

OpenSecrets data reveals that Biden has received a staggering $5,688,069 from pro-Israel groups and individuals throughout his political career as a Senator, Vice President, and now President. In response to the ICC’s probe into alleged war crimes committed by Israel during the war in Gaza, Biden called the actions “outrageous” and stated, “There is no equivalence between Israel and Hamas.”

The House’s Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, which aims to bar US entry and restrict US-based property transactions for ICC officials involved in the probe, was heavily promoted by lawmakers who have also benefited from pro-Israel lobby money. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), who pushed the bill, has received $491,126 from pro-Israel lobbyists. Other key supporters include House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Mike McCaul (R-TX), who has received $790,085; Chip Roy (R-TX), who has received $43,979; and Brian Mast (R-FL), who has received $610,196 from pro-Israel lobbying groups.

Critics argue that the actions of both Biden and the House representatives demonstrate a disregard for international law and the ICC’s authority to investigate potential war crimes. They maintain that the significant pro-Israel donations raise questions about the influence of special interest groups on U.S. foreign policy and the government’s willingness to hold allies accountable for human rights abuses.

Supporters of Biden and the House bill contend that the ICC’s probe is politically motivated and that Israel has a right to defend itself against Hamas, which the U.S. considers a terrorist organization. They argue that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is complex and cannot be reduced to a simple matter of war crimes.

The data comes from OpenSecrets’ analysis of Federal Election Commission filings and other public records. The non-partisan group has tracked the influence of money on electoral politics for nearly 40 years.

As the U.S. grapples with its response to the ICC’s investigation and the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, voters must scrutinize their elected officials’ financial ties and consider how these connections may shape policy decisions. The debate surrounding the ICC probe and the House’s sanctions bill underscores the need for greater transparency in campaign finance and a deeper examination of the role of special interest groups in U.S. politics, particularly concerning matters of international law and human rights.

Former House member Mondaire Jones caused a stir among progressive Democrats and the Westchester Black community after endorsing Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s primary opponent, George Latimer. Jones’s decision to back Latimer has drawn sharp criticism from his former colleagues, particularly those in the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and members of the Westchester Black community.

It has been reported that Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., expressed her disbelief, stating, “I am appalled.”

Rep. Summer Lee, D-Penn. called the endorsement “incredibly disappointing.” “Here we have a former CPC and CBC member who’s endorsing against both a Progressive and Black man who was the first Black man in his seat,” she said. “So it couldn’t be me. But I think and I hope that people will look at that for what that is.”

“It’s disgusting,” said Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., “Is that who he wants to be? Someone that the members can’t even trust? Someone that the members know will be your friend one day, and then as soon as it’s beneficial to him, will completely not only turn on you, but will go and support the person that is challenging you?

Jones defended his endorsement, citing his long-standing relationship with Latimer and the need to stand up for his Jewish constituents, as he and Bowman hold “deeply different views on Israel.” Pro-Israel Democratic donors and groups have heavily invested in unseating Bowman this election cycle.

Mondaire Jones’ endorsement of George Latimer, Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s primary opponent, has sparked outrage among grassroots activists and progressive Democrats, particularly within the Black community. Many see Jones’ decision as a clear sign that he is turning his back on the Black community and disregarding the importance of Black representation in Congress.

Bowman, the first Black representative in his district, has been a strong progressive voice and an ally to the Black community. Jones, a former member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), has drawn sharp criticism for endorsing Latimer, with some viewing it as a betrayal of his former colleagues and the constituents they represent.

Many Westchester critics argue that Jones’ endorsement of Latimer disregards the plight of the Palestinian people, an issue that has gained increasing attention from world leaders and human rights advocates. These activists assert that Israel’s actions towards Palestinians amount to genocide, and they believe that Jones’ support for Latimer, who is backed by pro-Israel groups, essentially ignores this pressing concern.

The strong reactions from CBC members and grassroots activists suggest that Jones’ decision has exacerbated a party that is already divided. Many view his actions as prioritizing his own political interests over the needs and concerns of the Black community and failing to stand up for the rights of Palestinians.

Jones faces a competitive race against Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, who has also received money from AIPAC. Jones’s endorsement of Latimer may have far-reaching consequences for his standing within the Black community and his relationships with former colleagues in the CBC. Jones’s loss of the support of the Black community is a crucial blow for Democrats trying to gain control of the House of Representatives in CD 17. Jones’s actions just proved the old saying in the Black community, ” Just Because You’re My Skinfolk, Dont Mean You’re My Kinfolk. The controversy surrounding his decision has added fuel to the already heated debate about the importance of Black representation, solidarity within the Black political community, and the role of pro-Israel Super PACs like AIPAC in shaping Westchester politics.

Controversy Surrounds National Black Empowerment Action Fund’s Support for George Latimer

The National Black Empowerment Action Fund (NBEAF) has recently announced its support for George Latimer, a Democratic candidate running for office in New York, while simultaneously opposing Congressman Jamaal Bowman. This move has drawn criticism from the Westchester Black Political Conference (WBPC), an organization representing the political interests of Black and Brown people in Westchester County.

According to a report by Politico, NBEAF received substantial funding from a Super PAC founded by Daniel Loeb, a hedge fund billionaire and Republican megadonor who has also directly donated to George Latimer. Loeb has faced controversy in the past for comments he made about Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the first Black woman to serve as Majority Leader of the New York State Senate.

The WBPC has expressed deep concern regarding NBEAF’s motives, citing the organization’s ties to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a lobbying group that the WBPC claims has consistently failed to prioritize the interests of the Black community. Damon K. Jones, Co-Founder of the WBPC, stated, “It is highly troubling that an organization claiming to advocate for Black people would align itself with AIPAC, which lobbies for billions of dollars to be sent overseas to support war while Black communities continue to face underfunding and neglect.”

Furthermore, the WBPC has condemned NBEAF for labeling Congressman Jamaal Bowman as “too radical” for Black residents of Congressional District 16, arguing that such a statement demonstrates a disconnect from the lived experiences of Black individuals in the district and Westchester County as a whole.

NBEAF’s leadership, which includes Darius Jones, a veteran of AIPAC, and Richard St. Paul, a member of AIPAC’s National Council, has also come under scrutiny. The WBPC has questioned the organization’s lack of history in advocating for Black people and grassroots organizations in Westchester County, suggesting that their sudden involvement in the area raises questions about their true agenda.

In a recent POLITICO article, Darius Jones of the National Black Empowerment Action Fund (NBEAF) suggested that African Americans need to reconsider how they “romanticize” certain Black elected leaders. The Westchester Black Political Conference (WBPC) has issued a strong response to Jones’ statement.

“What the Black community is doing is evaluating you and your absence in our communities,” said a WBPC spokesperson. “You can’t speak for us when you have no track record of working with or for the people of Congressional District 16.”

The WBPC’s response highlights the growing tension between grassroots Black organizations and groups like NBEAF, which has faced criticism for its ties to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and its lack of involvement in the local Black community.

As the controversy unfolds, both sides remain committed to their respective positions. The WBPC has vowed to continue advocating for policies that uplift and empower Black communities, while NBEAF maintains its support for George Latimer and its belief in the importance of a strong U.S.-Israel relationship, ignoring rulings by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on Isreal committing genocide and the International Criminal Court seeking warrants Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity 

WBPC Response by BLACK WESTCHESTER MAGAZINE on Scribd

Several other grassroots Westchester organizations have signed on to the WBPC’s statement, including Blacks in Law Enforcement of America, Sandy Bernabei Antiracist Alliance, and 100 Black Fathers for Change. This show of solidarity demonstrates the growing concern among local activists about the need for genuine, community-based representation and advocacy for Black residents in Westchester County.