EXCLUSIVE — AIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel lobbying group, is running a weekslong campaign accusing Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) of feeding “directly into antisemitic tropes of Jewish disloyalty.”
The accusation references a speech Van Hollen gave in March and is tucked into a form letter that criticizes him for disputing that AIPAC is “pro-American.”
Recipients of the ad, which was running on social media as recently as this weekend, are told that Van Hollen is “questioning your patriotism” and can click through to a web page that instructs them to “tell Sen. Van Hollen that you’re a proud pro-Israel American.”
A spokeswoman for AIPAC did not respond to a request for comment, but the ads reviewed by the Washington Examiner have been running on both Facebook and Instagram since at least May and appear directed at Jewish residents of his home state of Maryland.
“Calling pro-Israel Americans ‘anti-American’ feeds directly into antisemitic tropes of Jewish disloyalty,” reads the form letter, an email prompt that can be sent to Van Hollen’s office.
“The U.S.-Israel alliance serves both nations,” it adds. “Using your Senate platform to attack the pro-Israel community and your constituents is reckless and has no place in American politics.”
One version of the ad says “Van Hollen should be ashamed” alongside a prompt to “learn more.” A second advertisement directs recipients to a Washington Jewish Week op-ed on his “obsession” with AIPAC. Similar campaigns can be found dating back to December 2025, some with an estimated audience size as large as 1 million users.
Van Hollen made his comments at a J Street conference, where he argued that Israel should no longer get a “blank check” from the United States, citing its casualty-heavy military operations in Gaza. AIPAC opposes efforts to condition American military support, including legislation sponsored by Van Hollen.
“I will tell you that AIPAC may call itself pro-American. They may call themselves pro-Israel. But they are neither,” Van Hollen said in the March remarks featured in AIPAC advertising.
The media campaign is not the first time AIPAC has targeted Van Hollen, a progressive eyeing a run for president in 2028. It has previously run television spots accusing him of trying to “weaken our ally” Israel with the legislation he’s sponsored.
Aligned groups, such as Democratic Majority for Israel, have criticized more recent comments, including a May op-ed in which Van Hollen faults Israel for the failure of a two-state solution to the Palestinian conflict.
Van Hollen told the Washington Examiner that he welcomes a “full and robust discussion” about U.S. foreign policy toward Israel and claimed AIPAC is “completely out of touch with the majority sentiment” of Maryland voters.
“I’m happy to take on AIPAC’s position on these issues with the people of Maryland, including the Jewish community in Maryland,” he said.
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Van Hollen has aligned himself with J Street, a liberal alternative to AIPAC that he argues better reflects Jewish views on Israel and the actions of the Netanyahu government.
The feuding comes as AIPAC spends tens of millions to elect pro-Israel lawmakers to Congress, including in Van Hollen’s backyard. Its super PAC, United Democracy Project, is supporting Adrian Boafo in the race to succeed retiring Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), prompting Van Hollen to accuse them of attempting to “buy” the seat.