Tonight at AIPAC’s gala, they will call off the names of all the congresspeople who are in the house, toasting Israel. If you happen to see this sad spectacle, consider this: Israel was far and away the biggest destination for privately-funded trips by congresspeople last year, outstripping even the U.S. According to Legistorm, legislators made 118 privately-financed trips to Israel, at a cost of $1.2 million, way ahead of trips inside the US, $780,00, and Turkey ($266,000), and Jordan, ($250,000). And AIPAC fueled the boondoggle.
While Israel is a frequent congressional travel destination, the number of privately funded trips ballooned to 118 at a total cost of $1.2 million in 2009, up from 49 trips costing $435,000 the year before. The majority of those Israel trips were bankrolled by the American Israel Education Foundation, which is the fundraising arm of the influential pro-Israel lobby, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC.
Big-name travelers to Israel last year included House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), and Minority Whip Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.). Staffers and representatives were typically backed in the $6,000 to $10,000 range, but a few trips, taken by Republicans and Democrats, cost upwards of $19,000 for a single trip.
Hoyer is a big face at AIPAC this year. Indiana senator Evan Bayh was a shameless backer yesterday; he’s been over to Israel a couple of times on AIPAC’s dime, with staff.
And what about Iraq and Afghanistan, where our young people are making giant sacrifices for the sake of (please inform)? Says Legistorm of 2009 private trips: Iraq: $22,040. Afghanistan: $16,000.
