Pro-Israel super PAC focuses on 20 races before November elections

EXCLUSIVE — A new super PAC aimed at improving relations between the U.S. and Israel, along with combating antisemitism, is wading into the 2024 battle.

American Fortitude announced on Thursday it is investing in 15-20 of the most pivotal races, including in the handful of battleground states that will decide the election, and aiming to raise $30 million between now and the November election.

The PAC’s Public Policy Initiatives is advocating full funding for Israel’s defenses in its war against Hamas as tensions about the U.S. support of Israel’s defense face some pushback among lawmakers.

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The Oct. 7 Hamas attack that killed over 1,200 people hit its seven-month anniversary this week, which the leader of American Fortitude compared to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

“The primary goal is to let Jewish Americans know that they don’t stand alone,” Aaron Evans, the president of American Fortitude, told the Washington Examiner in an interview Thursday. “We’re also seeing betrayals, and totally cowardly moves from elected officials that are patronizing some of the most extreme pro-terror voices in the country.”

The launch comes after President Joe Biden recently told CNN if Israel launches a full-scale assault on Rafah, the U.S. wouldn’t supply weaponry to the beleaguered nation.

“I made it clear that if they go into Rafah — they haven’t gone in Rafah yet — if they go into Rafah, I’m not supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities — that deal with that problem,” Biden said on Wednesday.

In response, American Fortitude is aiming to release its first ad on Biden’s comments and foreign policy decisions by next week.

Biden has long faced backlash from the progressive wing of his party and college protesters across the nation who are calling for the president to enforce a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The college encampments that have popped up have even resulted in some violent encounters as law enforcement cleared away protesters.

Evans, however, condemned Biden’s comments, calling them “unforgivable.”

“It is totally unforgivable. It is a massive change from our foreign policy that we’ve held for decades, regardless of the party in power,” he said.

As the November election gets closer, the super PAC’s National Grassroots Task Force will deploy over 18,000 volunteers to educate voters about antisemitism through social media, community events, and engaging local media.

“We are the no compromise, no apologies super PAC focused on again, opposing antisemitism and supporting Israel,” Evans explained. “And so we’re sending questionnaires to every federal campaign that’s running for office in November. We’ll be grading them, we’ll be giving reports back to voters on what those survey responses are.”

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The group’s “no excuse” policy is meant to ensure only pro-Israel candidates, irrespective of political leaning, are supported.

“We’ve got some major things happening in this country. There’s elements even of the hard right, as well as massive elements of the hard left, that are questioning support for Israel right now,” Evans said. “We’re going to call balls and strikes at the end of the day. … If you’re a Democrat and you turn your back on Israel, we’re coming after you. If you’re a Republican, and you turn your back on Israel, we’re coming after you.”

Ultimately, the ambitious $30 million goal American Fortitude has set will display the seriousness of the super PAC. “Our goal is to make change occur, not just play games,” Evans said.