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This NY Times piece continues a concerning trend by the “paper of record” to print and amplify lies about AIPAC and our 7 million American members. We are an American organization committed to strengthening bipartisan support for the U.S.-Israel alliance.

Our support for the partnership is driven by its value to America. Israel is a critical and mutually beneficial partner in the pursuit of security, peace, stability, democratic values, and prosperity.

Our members are Americans. Our donors are Americans. Our Board of Directors is comprised solely of Americans, and it makes its decisions on its own. We take no direction or funding from the Israeli government, no matter who leads it.

Americans choose our country’s leaders. Israelis choose theirs. Whether Democratic or Republican, Labor or Likud, we encourage the democratically elected leaders to work together as befitting two allies.

Mr. Friedman frequently focuses on the settlements—an issue that we’ve long said must be addressed in direct talks for a two-state agreement. Over the years, Mr. Friedman has dedicated considerable column space to blaming Israel for the stalled peace process.

We think it's long past time for the focus to turn to the urgency and agency of Palestinians and Arab partners to take the necessary steps for a viable, independent, demilitarized Palestinian democracy:

disarming Hamas in Gaza and Palestinian terrorist groups in the West Bank, reforming the corrupt Palestinian Authority, ending the glorification of violence and terrorism, and building a functioning society that isn’t dependent on U.N. agencies, to name only a few.