“Board of Peace” Billionaire Backs AIPAC Fund Targeting Pro-Palestine Candidates

What Happened

Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management and member of a body referred to as the Board of Peace, has donated $1.5 million in 2024 to the United Democracy Project (UDP), a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Federal Election Commission filings indicate Rowan contributed $1 million in March and $500,000 on July 23. The UDP has utilized these funds to support pro-Israel candidates and oppose those critical of U.S. military aid to Israel, including unsuccessful campaigns by former Rep. Cori Bush and Rep. Thomas Massie. Critics, including Democracy for the Arab World Now advocacy director Raed Jarrar, have raised concerns regarding the influence of private donors on the future governance of Gaza through the Board of Peace.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The intersection of private campaign financing and the development of post-war governance plans for Gaza highlights the influence of external actors on U.S. foreign policy. As AIPAC increases its spending to counter candidates advocating for an arms embargo on Israel, the debate over the conditions of U.S. military support for the ongoing conflict in Gaza has become a central issue in domestic electoral politics.

Watch For

Monitor further FEC filings for additional contributions from major donors to PACs involved in the Israel-Palestine policy debate. Additionally, observe the legislative activities of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, particularly regarding military technology sharing agreements between the U.S. and Israel, and any further developments regarding the Board of Peace's role in Gaza's future.