Emergency Committee for Israel

The Emergency Committee for Israel defines its mission as "mounting an active defense of the US-Israel relationship by educating the public about the positions of political candidates on this important issue, and by keeping the public informed of the latest developments in both countries." Formed in July 2010 as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit political organization, it unites "The hawkish, neoconservative wing of the Republican Party, many of whom are Jewish, and conservative Evangelical Christians who have become increasingly outspoken in their support for Israel."

Its founding Board of Directors consists of William Kristol, Gary Bauer, and Rachel Abrams. Kristol is often considered the dean of neoconservatives. Bauer is a Christian Zionist. Abrams is the writer-blogger spouse of Elliott Abrams and daughter of Midge Decter and Norman Podhoretz.

Their first target is the Democratic candidate for Senate in Pennsylvania, Joe Sestak, as part of broader criticism of Obama Administration Mideast policy. They have accused Sestak of "appearing at a fundraiser for the Council on American Islamic Relations, which it describes as an “anti-Israel organization the FBI called a ‘front group for Hamas.’” " and endorsing a letter against the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

Denying the allegations, the Sestak campaign has sent a cease-and-desist latter to Comcast, which carries the ad.