ABSTRACT
Founded in 1980 to ensure “a secure Israel in the best interests of the United States,” the Washington Political Action Committee, (WASHPAC) has become a respected leader among the well-funded and highly organized groups in the pro-Israeli lobby. 1 WASHPAC began as a “hobby” for the former executive director of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), Morris J. Amitay. Federal law forbids lobbying organizations such as AIPAC to contribute to campaigns or to establish or direct the activities and contributions of “pro-Israeli” political action committees. Amitay established WASHPAC so that he would no longer be prohibited from collecting contributions for congressional candidates. Under his leadership, WASHPAC continues to rank second among pro-Israeli PACs in overall contributions to congressional candidates.
