A new initiative named the Anti-Zionist America Political Action Committee (Azapac) released an unprecedented video ad on Monday calling for donations and volunteers to help it build momentum and counter pro-Israeli lobbying groups in the U.S.

The project, which kicked off earlier this year, is spearheaded by former New York University professor and author Michael Rectenwald, a self-described Libertarian, and has amassed more than 22,000 followers on X (formerly known as Twitter.

“Our government acts like the servant of another country. That other country is, of course, the State of Israel,” Rectenwald says in the ad, overlaid with images of the Israeli flag outside several offices of members of the U.S. Congress.

“That’s not policy. That’s a national disgrace,” he adds. “Their strings are pulled by donors loyal to the modern nation-state of Israel. This isn’t an alliance. It’s extortion.”

As Rectenwald details the U.S. contribution to Israel of $33bn since 7 October 2023, the ad shows images of Palestinians in body bags.

“Gaza ripped off the mask,” Rectenwald says. “This blind allegiance, this veto on our national sovereignty, this denial of reality must end,” referring to the war on Gaza. Over 69,000 Palestinians have been killed in the genocide in Gaza.

Azapac is already backing two America First, anti-Zionist candidates: Republican Aaron Baker in Florida, who aims to unseat fellow Republican Congressman Daniel Webster, the longest serving legislator in Florida history, and Independent Jose Vega in New York, who aims to unseat Democrat Ritchie Torres.

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“If you’re done with the fear, done with our politicians taking bribes, done with being smeared with the antisemitic label, just because you want your country back. Then Azapac is your army.”

I would never support the isolationist right even if they do have a few goals in common with us. That being said, we have to deal with much higher priorities at the moment, so we don’t mind assuming a neutral position and staying out of their business (for now).