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A brief history of NORPAC
In the aftermath of the
first Gulf War in 1991, America forgave $7 billion of
Egyptian debt (as reported in the NY Times 2004 almanac),
while Israel was denied loan debt relief. Instead, loan
guarantees were offered to help offset the economic damage
to Israel. But while the relief funds for Gulf nations
arrived promptly, Israel’s loan guarantees were being held
up by the State Department. When the pro-Israel community
called on its friends in Washington to help with the release
of these needed loan guarantees, America’s then Secretary of
State, James Baker, delivered his infamous statement, "F*@!
the Jews, they don't vote for us anyway."
It was at that time the soon-to-be founders of NORPAC
realized America needed a stronger voice to counter untoward
actions to US-Israel relations at the highest levels of
public office.
Established in the early 1990’s to help educate and elect
Members of Congress who demonstrate a genuine commitment to
the US-Israel relationship, NORPAC was founded by a group of
veteran pro-Israel activists in the New York Metropolitan
Area. Originally, NORPAC was known as the North Jersey PAC,
then as the North Jersey and Riverdale PAC. However, as it
has expanded throughout the tri-state region and, in fact,
throughout the country, it has come to be known as the
National Organization for Political Action, or more often,
simply NORPAC.
As a bipartisan, multi-candidate political action committee,
NORPAC is able to contribute directly to candidates for
federal office. It has become the largest and most
politically active PAC in America working to strengthen the
US-Israel relationship, and has done so while remaining a
nearly all-volunteer organization. In the past 2 years
alone, NORPAC has organized 60+ fundraisers, including its
first event in Florida.
Dr. Ben Chouake (who most know as “Dr. Ben”), a physician
who serves as NORPAC's president, said, “I look for the best
return on my investment. Our political outreach can tap
into the resources and generosity of the US government. We
ask our members to engage in the most vital, historic task
of our times -- to help make the case for Israel.”
Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ) said of NORPAC: “Your
engagement is incredibly important … NORPAC does a fantastic
job of promoting its views in a way that responds to the
needs of America’s national interest and Israel’s” while
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) said, “Many think
the greatest existential threat to the United States is
nuclear proliferation but very few have really been ready to
stand up to Iran.”
NORPAC has helped pass the Koby Mandell and the Syria
Accountability Acts, worked for Israel’s inclusion in the
UN’s Western European and Others (WEOG) regional group, and
garnered support for foreign aid to Israel, the Iran Freedom
and Support Act, Iran Counter-Proliferation Act, the
US-Israel Energy Cooperation Act, the Saudi Arabia
Accountability Act, the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act, and
efforts to reduce US military aid to Egypt (converting it
instead into democracy-building projects).
In 2004, NORPAC hired its first full-time employee and at
the beginning of 2006, NORPAC established an internship
program for exceptional high school and college students.
NORPAC’s 2007 annual Mission to Washington was the largest
advocacy trip ever by a political action committee working
to strengthen the US-Israel relationship. Nearly 700
individuals – a 25% increase over the previous year's
already record-breaking trip (and a 225% increase over the
2004 numbers) – came to DC on 17 buses. They met with 475
Members of Congress, including 96% of the Senate. Mission
Chair Mort Fridman was happy to report 330 new participants,
with 40 rabbis and other Jewish professionals and nearly 170
students attending the day in DC.
Dr. Ben was delighted at the turnout. “People were still
begging to sign up after 10pm the night before the trip,” he
said. “The interest the community has shown in helping to
educate some of the most powerful people in Washington
appears to be growing - and that is very encouraging.”
-Revised June 26, 2007 |
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