Letter from Larry Shapiro, Calgary to the Forward regarding claim byRobert Peters, an anti-Israel candidate, who complains about AIPAC derailing his campaign because he "defies Israel."

Re: AIPAC is trying to derail my House campaign because I'm a Jew who defies Israel, The group's tactics show they know that voters don't support their agenda, By Robert Peters, February 27, 2026

March 9, 20206

Dear Editor,

AIPAC is an unashamedly pro-Israel lobby. One of its goals is to defeat anti-Israel candidates and support pro-Israel candidates so that Israel will continue getting support from the Federal government. AIPAC's goals are clear just like every other lobby whether its Auto Workers, Energy,

Banks or the Gambling Industry. Because it is Jewish, it gets more negative comments than any other lobby. The hookers are more popular than the Jews, but that's no reason for Jewish people to shit on Israel in hopes that somebody will like them.

One of the methods used to detect Israel haters is to uncover lies. Robert Peters is one such person. His accusation that Israel is still killing civilians in Gaza is nothing more than Hamas propaganda. Israel has killed Hamas soldiers attacking the IDF in violation of the ceasefire, deaths that the Gazan authorities list as civilians. Peters is silent on Hamas' refusal to disarm which means that he supports Hamas' plan to stay in power prolonging the war indefinitely.

Peters accuses Israel of carrying out war crimes. I seriously doubt if he can list a single one. The ICJ couldn't find any, so what's his source, the Yahya Sinwar Estate?

His pride in being Jewish and defying Israel suggests dysfunction. What does defying Israel even mean? Working to bring it to an end? Supporting those who want to deny Israel arms making it impossible for it to go into foreign countries to stop rocket barrages and invasions risking Jewish lives for decades to come?

There were over 30,000 rockets launched at Israel between Oct. 7, 2023 and today. That's like 900,000 rockets launched at the USA. Would Peters want the U.S. to negotiate a cease fire with the entity or entities that launched the rockets? Of course not, so why the Jews? What is it about the Jews that their self defense measures are considered war crimes?

AIPAC can smell a self hating Jew when its sees one. I sincerely hope that it is successful in defeating this Illinois version.

Larry Shapiro, Calgary, Alberta

PS: Please share this with Senator Peters.