Why Does Pro-Israel Democrat J.B. Pritzker Fund Anti-Israel Media Matters?

big government ^ | 2/15/12 | Joel B. Pollak

[Nachum]

J.B. Pritzker is one of the richest members of America’s one percent and a staunch pro-Israel Democrat. After backing Hillary Clinton in 2008–in opposition to his sister, Penny Pritzker–J.B. helped raise money for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.

Among other civic and philanthropic causes, Pritzker is heavily involved in the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which promotes a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. He has served on AIPAC’s national board, regularly chairs AIPAC events in Chicago, and attends the organization’s annual Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.

Given his devotion to a strong U.S.-Israel alliance, it is extraordinary to discover that Pritzker also contributed heavily to Media Matters for America. Through the Pritzker Family Foundation, which he leads, J.B. Pritzker has given $150,000 to Media Matters for America–$50,000 in 2008 and $100,000 in 2009, according to public records analyzed by Big Government.

Media Matters has come under heavy criticism from the Jewish community and even the liberal mainstream media for its virulent anti-Israel posture, which includes condoning antisemitic motifs such as “dual loyalty” and”Israel firster,” which other organizations have shunned and condemned. Last year, Media Matters’ senior fellow for foreign policy, M.J. Rosenberg, called Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “terrorist” and said that accusing AIPAC of “dual loyalty” was “giving it credit for one more loyalty than it holds.”

[PieterCasparzen]

Like many, he appears to be a hapless tool, despite all his riches.

[ought-six]

The Pritzkers are far more pro-Democrat Party than they are pro-Israel.