Rep. Summer Lee endorsed by new pro-Palestinian PAC

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, who represents Squirrel Hill, has been endorsed by PAL PAC, a new political action committee “committed to supporting champions for Palestinian rights running for Congress,” according to an email distributed by the PAC.

PAL PAC also endorses Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Delia Ramirez and Rep. Rashida Tlaib.

The endorsement coincides with the withdrawal of support from JStreetPAC, a political action committee affiliated with J Street that was created in 2008 “to explicitly promote American leadership to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”

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JStreetPac first endorsed Lee in her 2022 Democratic primary run for Congress against Steve Irwin, Jerry Dickinson, Jeff Woodard and William Parker, then against Republican Mike Doyle in the general election.

A spokesperson from JStreetPAC was unavailable to speak with the Chronicle, citing preparations for J Street’s upcoming national convention.

In a written response to the Chronicle, however, the JStreetPAC representative said that endorsements are a “2-way street” and said that “Congresswoman Lee did not seek J Street’s endorsement for the 2026 cycle.” The organization added that it continues to share a “fundamental belief” with the representative that “both the Israeli and Palestinian people deserve a better future,” but noted that “our approach differs from hers in key ways.”

JStreetPAC also said that it looks forward to working with Lee in the legislative session.

JStreetPAC’s website lists seven criteria for candidates seeking its endorsement:

• “Support for a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and for U.S. security assistance to Israel that adheres to U.S. law.”

• “Support for a diplomacy-first approach to foreign policy and for the rules-based international order that has prevailed since WWII.”

• “Support for a negotiated peace agreement between Israel and neighboring Arab states that results in security for the State of Israel, an independent, demilitarized Palestinian state and normalization of Israel’s relations with its neighbors.”

• “Opposition to unilateral actions that undermine the chances of conflict resolution, including: Terrorism, incitement, annexation of West Bank or Gaza territory, entrenchment of occupation, actions that further hostilities in Gaza, and settlement expansion.”

• “Support for robust humanitarian aid and other forms of economic assistance to the Palestinians and to the UN and other agencies that serve Palestinian refugees.”

• “Support for diplomacy as the preferred means of preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and for dealing with other Iranian policies hostile to US interests, regional security and stability.”

• “Support for pluralistic, non-discriminatory democracy and the rule of law in the United States and Israel, and opposition to efforts to undermine and weaken democratic norms.”

Lee continues to be endorsed by Bend the Arc Jewish Action PAC, which identifies as “the voice for progressive American Jews in the political arena.”

Bend the Arc Jewish Action lists its goals as: defeating white nationalism, fighting antisemitism and realizing Black liberation; expanding Democratic power and building a deeper bench of progressive champions; and, redefining the narrative about what motivates Jewish political giving to include racial justice, economic justice, civil rights, health care access and immigrant justice.

In 2022, JStreetPAC donated $38,194 to Lee’s campaign; Bend the Arc Jewish Action donated $3,600. In 2024, JStreetPAC donated $34,182 to her campaign while Bend the Arc Jewish Action contributed $2,520, according to the website Open Secrets.

JStreetPac was Lee’s largest donor in 2023-2024.

Lee has long made an issue out of her political opponents receiving donations from PACs, including her 2022 primary opponent Steve Irwin, who received funding from the United Democracy Project, which is affiliated with AIPAC.

In 2024, Lee raised $1,817,233 from funders outside of Pennsylvania, accounting for more than 72% of the donations she received. During the same time period, she raised, $2,085,569 from donors outside of her congressional district, accounting for more than 82% of her fundraising.

The congresswoman has a history of anti-Zionist rhetoric and votes opposed to Israel.

Earlier this month, she said on X that anti-Israel protestors Mahmoud Khalil and Leqaa Kordia “continued to be persecuted for speaking out against genocide,” and said she was “glad” to have met Khalil.

On the one-year anniversary of Oct. 7, Lee issued a statement with Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato that made no mention of Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel. Seemingly placing blame for the war on the Jewish state, the message said: “Our grief is compounded by the fact that it didn’t have to be this way,” and “We can’t afford to spend more money on bombs when healthcare remains out of reach for so many and our infrastructure has been neglected for a generation.”

In September 2025, Lee posted photos of herself with pro-Palestinian activists Dr. Adil Husain, Cynthia Nixon and Morgan Spector on X and Facebook. She wrote: “Israel is committing a genocide, and there is no excuse to continue sending them bombs. I urge my colleagues to support our bill.”

Lee is a co-sponsor of the “Block the Bombs” bill, which would ban the United States from selling Israel certain types of weapons.

In 2024, the representative was one of only 37 House Democrats to vote against providing military aid to Israel.

The same year, more than 40 rabbis and cantors in Pittsburgh signed an open letter voicing their disappointment with Lee and accusing her of using “divisive rhetoric” that at times they “have perceived as openly antisemitic.”

On PAL PAC’s website, Lee is quoted as saying, in part, “At a time when our communities are struggling to afford basic necessities, we cannot afford to keep funding violence and injustice abroad. We’re proud to support a movement that cuts U.S. complicity in Israel’s human rights violations and invests in our communities at home.”

The Congresswoman has also attempted to influence hyperlocal politics.

On Jan. 31, a text was sent from someone identifying themselves as “Aiden from Summer Lee’s” campaign, urging Ward 14 Club officers to vote against Jeremy Kazzaz, who ran uncontested for the vice president of fundraising position.

The text accused Kazzaz of “staging a campaign to overturn the progressive mission of the club,” and of supporting Stacy Garrity during her successful run for state treasurer.

“Someone who does not support the founding principles of the club must not be given the important job of fundraising,” the message concluded.

Kazzaz is the executive director of the Beacon Coalition, a nonprofit focused on Jewish well-being.

During the 2024 election, Beacon Coalition evaluated each of the candidates running for office. Its assessment of Lee said that: “Summer Lee, the incumbent in this race, has a long track record of divisive language and votes despite the numerous conversations she has had with concerned Jewish residents and leaders in her district. We strongly support Bhavini Patel in this race.”

Lee is facing Turtle Creek Mayor Adam Forgie and William Parker in the May primary election. Her campaign did not respond to the Chronicle’s request for an interview. PJC

David Rullo can be reached at drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.