politics
AIPAC Affiliate Spent Over $4.2 Million on Congressional Trips to Israel Since October 2023
The American Israel Education Foundation covered travel costs for at least 78 members of Congress and staff across 15 delegations. Filings show per-person costs averaged more than $26,600, with some trips exceeding $44,000 when family members joined.
Jun 2, 7:00 AM·1m read1 source
The GuardianAudio version
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Congressional ethics filings show the American Israel Education Foundation funded at least 15 delegations to Israel for members of Congress and staff since October 2023. The trips cost more than $4.2 million, an average of over $26,600 per participant.
Twenty-six Democratic and 52 Republican representatives took part. Some members, including Democrats Steny Hoyer, Greg Landsman and Brad Schneider, joined multiple trips.
Participants stayed at the King David hotel in Jerusalem and the Magdala hotel in Galilee. Per-traveler costs ranged from roughly $16,000 for individuals to more than $37,000 when family members accompanied members. An earlier February 2025 staff trip brought 13 senior House aides, five Democrats and eight Republicans.
AIEF spokesperson Deryn Sousa said the missions educate participants about the U.S.-Israel relationship and security concerns. She added that participants meet Israeli officials and civilians offering a range of perspectives. Harvard professor Stephen Walt stated the trips serve as a tool for building support for Israel on Capitol Hill and function as a signal to donors.
AIEF is a charitable affiliate of AIPAC and uses non-profit status to fund overseas travel that lobbying rules otherwise restrict.
