Despite pouring millions of dollars, mixed results for AIPAC in Illinois Democratic primaries 

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) saw its first wins along with several losses in this week's Illinois Democratic primaries, showing the lobby group's continued strength but also its limitations.

The state had multiple primary races on Tuesday that were closely watched for signs of AIPAC's influence, which spent around $22 million statewide this cycle. The group is seeing a sharp drop in approval among Democrats. 

Among the most prominent races was the contest for the House seat being vacated by Jan Schakowsky in Chicago's deep-blue District 9. AIPAC supported Laura Fine, who came in third place, even as they celebrated the loss of Palestinian American Kat Abughazaleh, who came in second. The winner of the race was Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, an outspoken critic of AIPAC, though not to the extent of Abughazaleh.

Following the election results, AIPAC took to social media to announce its mixed results.

"While disappointed Laura Fine didn't prevail, the pro-Israel community is proud to have helped defeat would-be Squad members Kat Abughazaleh and Bushra Amiwala, who centred their campaigns on attacking Israel and demonising pro-Israel Americans," reads a statement by the lobby group.

In other statements, AIPAC celebrated the defeats of candidates in Illinois and North Carolina (which had their own primaries on the same day), whom they called would-be squad members. 

"A great night for the pro-Israel community and a terrible night for anti-Israel candidates," AIPAC stated in another post.

Some pointed out that AIPAC's high level of spending indicated it was not in a strong position.

"This was still a MASSIVE loss for AIPAC, who spent over $7 million to come in 3rd place," reads a post on X by the progressive group Justice Democrats.

What's not in dispute is that two AIPAC-supported candidates won House races Tuesday night. One was Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, who defeated progressive candidates, including former Representative Jesse Jackson Jr., in the second congressional district, and former Representative Melissa Bean, who defeated progressive Junaid Ahmed in District 8.

Despite some clear recent wins for AIPAC, established in 1954, the group is facing unprecedented pushback from the Democratic Party, with many moderates now refusing to accept its donations. Moreover, many of their campaign ads against progressives make no mention of Israel, a possible indication that unconditional support for Israel is losing popularity among voters. 

"Usually, AIPAC has worked behind a veil of secrecy and was not part of the election discussion, but now it is," Joshua Landis, a professor of Middle East studies at the University of Oklahoma, told The New Arab.

"The American public has become educated about the electoral process. They're beginning to understand why the US pursues the policies they do in the Middle East," he said. 

Referring to AIPAC, he said, "It's not in the interest of America, but in the interest of Israel."