Ro Khanna Breaks With AIPAC in New 'Peace Pledge'

The pledge, launched by the political action committee Citizens Against AIPAC Corruption, aims to dismantle the influence of pro-Israel lobbying groups that have funneled tens of millions into recent election cycles. Signatories commit to prioritizing campaign finance reform and challenging diplomatic or military backing for countries engaged in gross human rights abuses. The agreement specifically requires lawmakers to defend free speech rights regarding the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement and to oppose any U.S. sanctions against the International Criminal Court for pursuing warrants against officials like Benjamin Netanyahu.

Khanna, a California Democrat, characterized the commitments as common sense in a video statement released Wednesday. He argued that federal tax dollars should be redirected toward domestic needs rather than overseas conflicts. His move marks a notable shift in his own political trajectory; he previously accepted funds from the liberal Zionist group J Street and supported legislation that critics argued conflated anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Cory Archibald, co-founder of the Track AIPAC campaign, stated that the initiative is designed to provide a political bridge for lawmakers to pivot their policy positions and align themselves with a changing voter base that increasingly views the lobby's influence with skepticism.