Occupy AIPAC Frequently
Asked Questions
What is Expose AIPAC?
Expose AIPAC is a weekend long series of
events to put a spotlight on the abusive
practices of the American Israel Public
Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Timed to coincide
with the annual AIPAC Policy Conference,
scheduled for March 2nd-5th 2013, we are
gathering in Washington DC to show support
for a US foreign policy that promotes justice
in the Middle East.
Why Expose AIPAC?
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee
(AIPAC) has a dangerous stranglehold over
U.S. foreign policy towards the Middle East.
AIPAC's unrelenting support for the illegal
policies of the Israeli government—separation
walls, settlements, the siege of Gaza—in
addition to its bellicose policies across
the region, especially Iran, has been devastating
for Palestinians and the Middle East, including
Israel. It also harms our reputation around
the world and squanders $3 billion a year
subsidizing the powerful Israeli military
when we need that money to rebuild the United
States. It's time to wean U.S. policy away
from AIPAC's grip towards an even-handed
position that respects international law
and the human rights of all people in the
region.
What are the goals of Expose
AIPAC?
The goals of Expose AIPAC include:
- Strengthening our movement working for a just Middle East policy
- reinforcing that AIPAC is part of the pro-war elite as it heavily lobbies our politicians with right-wing policies and holds significant influence over our foreign policy
- Showing politicians and the media that the tide is turning, that there is a strong movement for change that they cannot avoid
- Making AIPAC aware that they are no longer the “only game in town” and that they represent the old guard that must change in the changing times
- Building opposition to US military aid to Israel through creative protests, billboards and lobbying efforts
- Strengthening the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation's goal of Challenging US Policy in Israel/Palestine
These goals will be achieved through actions and events aimed at bringing people
together and stimulating discussion, provocative
media/ad campaigns, creative direct actions,
and cultural events. The goal is not to
protest AIPAC or get into direct confrontations
with AIPAC members. The goal is to pull
the rug out from under the floor of AIPAC,
to expose the truth about this lobby group
and its occupation policies, and to show
how another policy is possible, one based
in justice, international law, human rights,
respect, love, and dignity. Not only is
this policy possible; it is also more strategically
advantageous for Congress and the American
public to support it. Our goal is not to
launch a new organization or network. There
are already a number of groups that are
working on this front, including the U.S.
Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation,
the US Palestinian Community Network, local
and national grassroots-based peace and
justice groups, and faith-based networks.
Rather, our purpose is to energize local
movements that educate and organize their
communities around the issues of how their
tax dollars, resources, and policy makers
are used to maintain injustice, war, and
occupation in the Middle East instead of
rebuilding the United States.
When is it?
We will kick off the weekend with the Grassroots
Advocacy Training on Saturday, 3 March 2013.
The weekend long gathering will last until
Tuesday, 5 March, when the US Campaign to
End the Israeli Occupation will be leading
a lobbying day on the Hill.
Where is it?
All events and actions will be held within
a few blocks radius of the DC Convention
Center where the AIPAC Policy Conference
will be.
Who is organizing this?
Interfaith Peace Builders, CODEPINK: Women
for Peace and US Campaign to End the Israeli
Occupation are coordinating Expose AIPAC
with the support and endorsement of over
100 organizations from around the country
including US Palestinian Community Network
(USPCN), Jewish Voice for Peace, Students
for Justice in Palestine groups and
more!. Have a creative action idea?
Want to help organize? Email occupyaipac@gmail.com
to get involved. We're especially looking
for organizers to plan actions, join the
peacekeeping/security team, be legal observers,
write songs and chants, make visuals and
props, and coordinate lobby day visits.
Who supports Expose AIPAC?
An impressive list of activists and justice
advocates have endorsed Occupy AIPAC, including:
The Israel Lobby authors John Mearsheimer
and Stephen Walt, Holocaust survivor Hedy
Epstein, writer Alice Walker, consumer advocate
Ralph Nader, authors Nadia Hijab and Phyllis
Bennis, Palestinian blogger Laila El Haddad,
Jewish Voice for Peace Director Rebecca
Vilkomerson, peacemakers Cindy and Craig
Corrie, Israeli researcher Dalit Baum, human
rights lawyer Noura Erakat, clown doctor
Patch Adams, Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb, union
organizer Bill Fletcher, US Campaign to
End the Israel Occupation national organizer
and human rights advocate Anna Baltzer,
Janet McMahon from the Washington Report
on Middle East Affairs and many more! See
full Endorser list here.
Where can I stay in DC?
Check our Housing
Board to find housing with local activists.
If you live in DC and can offer housing,
you can add your home to the DC
Housing Board.
If I can only be there for
the weekend is that okay?
While we encourage you to come for the full
Expose AIPAC days of action, we welcome
you to join for as much or as little of
the programming as you can. The day-long
Summit on Saturday will be packed with good
info and inspiration. The two main demonstrations
and creative action times will be at the
start of the AIPAC conference on Sunday,
3 March, during the AIPAC Gala with Netanyahu
and Congress on Monday evening, 4 March
March and on the Hill during AIPAC's lobby
day on Tuesday, 5 March 2013.
Can I make a donation?
Yes! We welcome your contributions to support
the costs of organizing this event and help
students get to DC. Make
your donation online here or send a
check to CODEPINK, 1247 E St, SE, Washington,
DC 20003.
What can I do from home to
offer solidarity?
Whether or not you can make it to DC for
Expose AIPAC, you can take action from home
by telling your representative to end military
aid to Israel. Send
a note to your Congressperson here.
You can also arrange a meeting with your
representative's district office. If you're
a student, you can reach out to your student
government leadership and other campus leaders
and expose the reality about AIPAC, as they
may be receiving free invites to attend
the AIPAC Policy Conference. You can also
help spread the word about attending Expose
AIPAC. Plus, be on the look out for possible
local AIPAC events in your city.
Who do I contact if I have
questions?
For questions about registration or participation
please contact Jacob
of IFPB or Alli
of Codepink If your organization would like
to endorse or you have other questions,
contact occupyaipac@gmail.com.
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