AIPAC and pro-Israel PACs focus on more than getting Israel-friendly candidates elected. They have also had notable success turning politicians who have been critical of Israel into steadfast supporters.

Former Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) was an outspoken critic of the US foreign aid program for much of his career. This meant he also opposed giving substantial aid to Israel. In 1984 Helms was in a hard-fought and expensive race for reelection against James Hunt, the popular governor of North Carolina. AIPAC saw an opportunity to put a formidable enemy out of business. It channeled large amounts of campaign money to Hunt, who came within a hair of winning.

Helms got the message. He traveled to Israel the following year. He had his picture taken with a yarmulke on his head kissing the Western Wall. The same trip also produced a picture of the senator with Ariel Sharon for his office wall. More important Helms became a vocal supporter of Israel and remained one until his retirement in 2002.

One sees a similar evolution on the part of Senator Hillary Clinton. Her support for Palestinian statehood in 1998 and public embrace of Suha Arafat, wife of Yasser Arafat, in 1999 provoked strong criticism from groups in the lobby. Clinton became an ardent defender of Israel once she began running for office herself. She now gets strong backing including financial support from pro-Israel organizations and individuals.

After Clinton appeared at a pro-Israel rally in July 2006 she expressed strong support for Israel highly destructive war against Lebanon. Helen Freedman was executive director of the hard-line Americans for a Safe Israel. She declared "I thought her remarks were very good, especially in light of her history, and we cant forget her kiss to Suha." Pro-Israel PACs contributed more than $30,000 to Clinton 2006 reelection campaign. The Forward reported in January 2007 that Clinton was "expected to snare the lions share of the Jewish community substantial political donations in the race for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination."

Source: The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy