“U.S. groups are seemingly successfully able to determine EU policy on Israel.”
Meet the U.S. donors funding ELNET, the AIPAC of Europe - The Intercept reports.
U.S. donors are channeling millions of dollars into the European Leadership Network (ELNET), a pro-Israel lobbying group modeled on AIPAC, to secure unwavering European political, military, and economic support for Israel amid its ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Since 2022, at least $11 million has flowed into ELNET’s U.S. arm, funding lobbying inside European parliaments, trips for lawmakers to Israel, and campaigns to shield Israel from accountability.
ELNET claims credit for major outcomes, including Germany’s $3.5 billion arms deal with Israel, pushing resolutions affirming Israel’s “right to self-defense,” defunding UNRWA, and promoting definitions of antisemitism that criminalize criticism of Israel.
European lawmakers warn that U.S. money is distorting EU policy and overriding public opposition to Israel’s crimes, while anonymous donor-advised funds allow wealthy backers to influence policy with public tax subsidies.
As mass protests sweep Europe demanding an end to the genocide in Gaza, ELNET has intensified efforts to entrench pro-Israel policies, exporting U.S. lobbying tactics to Europe to protect Israel’s military, settlements, and apartheid system despite growing international condemnation.