Four major Democratic candidates in the race to become US president are skipping the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s conference next week.
The absence is the largest for the party in an election year.
Progressive senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and centrist candidates Senator Amy Klobuchar and former mayor of South Bend, Pete Buttigieg, will skip the Aipac conference due to begin in Washington on Sunday.
Ms Klobuchar told the Jewish News Syndicate that she would not be attending because the conference schedule clashed with her travel for the Super Tuesday vote on March 3.
Mr Buttigieg also said there was a conflict with his travel arrangements.
But Ms Warren, who was the first to announce she would be skipping Aipac, made the commitment in a town hall meeting on February 7 in response to a question from a member of the audience.
Mr Sanders, who called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “reactionary racist” in the debate on Tuesday, announced his decision this week while rebuking Aipac.
He tweeted that the group provided platform “for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights”.
The Israeli people have the right to live in peace and security. So do the Palestinian people. I remain concerned about the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights. For that reason I will not attend their conference. 1/2
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) February 23, 2020
It is unclear if former vice president Joe Biden will attend the conference. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg is so far the only Democratic candidate due to attend.
The absences draw Israel and Aipac deep into the partisan debate about US policy toward Israel.
Key Republican figures including Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will address the conference.
Former national security adviser John Bolton accused Mr Sanders of promoting “extremism” by skipping the conference.
America is getting a full dose of @berniesanders extremism. He glorifies communist Cuba & now he's calling @AIPAC "leaders who express bigotry." In the past, he's called the Israeli govt "racist." What's next? @IlhanMN as Sec of State?
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) February 25, 2020
But the leftist Jewish group If Not Now welcomed the news, calling it a watershed moment and a major victory against bigotry:
Our statement on the news that both @PeteButtigieg and @amyklobuchar are joining @BernieSanders and @ewarren in not attending @AIPAC's conference.
— IfNotNow🔥 (@IfNotNowOrg) February 26, 2020
This is a watershed moment and a major victory against the bigotry that AIPAC has legitimized for decades. #SkipAIPAC pic.twitter.com/Dk70FaoVUh
The Trump administration has been keen to support Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has taken unprecedented steps in showing support to his government.
It moved the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognised the occupied Golan Heights, cut aid to the UN Relief and Works Agency, and shut down the Palestine Liberation Organisation office in Washington.
