Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton announced on Thursday that he was returning donations and would not accept further contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
The Democrat representative explained in a statement that while he supported the State of Israel's right to exist, he believed that AIPAC had grown too close in alignment with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
"I'm a friend of Israel, but not of its current government, and AIPAC's mission today is to back that government," said Moulton. 'I don't support that direction."
AIPAC responded on Thursday that Moulton was lying about the American pro-Israel lobbying group's mission in order to garner media attention.
The congressman was "abandoning his friends to grab a headline, capitulating to the extremes rather than standing on conviction," AIPAC said on X/Twitter.
"His statement comes after years of him repeatedly asking for our endorsement and is a clear message to AIPAC members in Massachusetts, and millions of pro-Israel Democrats nationwide, that he rejects their support and will not stand with them," the group continued.
In response to Moulton, AIPAC also published a video on Friday explaining the policies that the group promoted.
AIPAC emphasized that its member base was made up of American citizens - Republicans, Democrats, and independents - who wanted to advance policies that strengthened US-Israel ties.
"This partnership advances America's interests and democratic values, and is bigger than any government at any particular time in either country," AIPAC said on social media.
Moulton, an Iraq War veteran, announced on Wednesday that he would challenge Senator Ed Markey for his Senate seat. In 2019, Moulton ran a long-shot bid for the presidency, according to Reuters.
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