Here's Gemini's reply: Yes, the administration of President John F. Kennedy did pressure the American Zionist Council (AZC) to register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
Here's a breakdown of the situation:
The Target: The entity the Kennedy administration, specifically the Department of Justice under Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, targeted was the American Zionist Council (AZC).
The Reason: The Justice Department concluded that the AZC was receiving substantial funding from the Jewish Agency for Israel (based in Jerusalem) to conduct public relations and lobbying activities in the U.S. aimed at influencing policy in favor of Israel. Under FARA, entities acting in the U.S. at the direction or behest of foreign principals (governments, organizations, etc.) and engaged in political activities must register.
The Pressure: Starting in late 1962 and into 1963, the Justice Department investigated the AZC and formally requested that it register under FARA.
The Reorganization (AIPAC's formation): Facing this pressure, the AZC reorganized. Its lobbying functions were essentially spun off into a new organization, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which was incorporated in 1963. AIPAC was deliberately structured to be funded by contributions from American citizens, specifically to avoid the FARA registration requirement that stemmed from the AZC's direct funding relationship with the Jewish Agency.
Outcome: The AZC did eventually register under FARA. However, AIPAC, its successor in terms of direct lobbying, was set up in a way that allowed it to argue it was not an agent of a foreign principal due to its domestic funding structure, and therefore did not need to register under FARA at that time.
So, while the pressure was directed at the AZC, it directly led to the creation of AIPAC as a distinct entity designed to continue pro-Israel lobbying without registering under FARA.
Aaaand it's gone.
Here's Gemini's reply: Yes, the administration of President John F. Kennedy did pressure the American Zionist Council (AZC) to register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
Here's a breakdown of the situation:
The Target: The entity the Kennedy administration, specifically the Department of Justice under Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, targeted was the American Zionist Council (AZC). The Reason: The Justice Department concluded that the AZC was receiving substantial funding from the Jewish Agency for Israel (based in Jerusalem) to conduct public relations and lobbying activities in the U.S. aimed at influencing policy in favor of Israel. Under FARA, entities acting in the U.S. at the direction or behest of foreign principals (governments, organizations, etc.) and engaged in political activities must register. The Pressure: Starting in late 1962 and into 1963, the Justice Department investigated the AZC and formally requested that it register under FARA. The Reorganization (AIPAC's formation): Facing this pressure, the AZC reorganized. Its lobbying functions were essentially spun off into a new organization, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which was incorporated in 1963. AIPAC was deliberately structured to be funded by contributions from American citizens, specifically to avoid the FARA registration requirement that stemmed from the AZC's direct funding relationship with the Jewish Agency. Outcome: The AZC did eventually register under FARA. However, AIPAC, its successor in terms of direct lobbying, was set up in a way that allowed it to argue it was not an agent of a foreign principal due to its domestic funding structure, and therefore did not need to register under FARA at that time. So, while the pressure was directed at the AZC, it directly led to the creation of AIPAC as a distinct entity designed to continue pro-Israel lobbying without registering under FARA.
wow... copy-pasta murder right there... sorry... leaving it
Imagine that. Poof ... gone.