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Gary Lauder, a California-based venture capitalist, has a documented relationship with the Israel lobby and has engaged in pro-Israel advocacy through financial contributions and philanthropic initiatives. His engagement includes significant donations to pro-Israel political action committees (PACs) and involvement in organizations that support and promote Israel.
Lauder has contributed over half a million dollars to PACs affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) since 2023. He has also provided financial support to the Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI) Super PAC. DMFI is an American advocacy group that supports pro-Israel policies within the United States Democratic Party.
In 2019, Gary Lauder, along with his wife Laura Lauder, co-founded the Center for Media and Democracy in Israel, known in Hebrew as Shomrim – the Guardians. This non-profit news organization aims to promote democratic discourse in Israel through investigative journalism and storytelling. The Laura and Gary Lauder Family Venture Philanthropy Fund, established in 1995, lists Israel as a key focus of its philanthropy.
The Laura and Gary Lauder Family Venture Philanthropy Fund also provided initial funding of $100,000 to Onward Israel and joined its Advisory Board in 2015. Onward Israel offers professional internships and other experiences in Israel for young adults, with the goal of fostering personal and professional growth, a more nuanced understanding of Israel, and increased Jewish involvement and affinity post-program.
Gary Lauder is the nephew of Ronald Lauder, the president of the World Jewish Congress, who is also a prominent figure in pro-Israel advocacy and has been noted for influencing Congress on pro-Israel issues. Furthermore, Laura Lauder has served on the board of AIPAC. She has also engaged with media organizations, such as ProCon.org and National Public Radio (NPR), regarding their coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, expressing concerns about perceived pro-Palestinian bias and advocating for balanced reporting. Laura Lauder also chairs the Jewish Community Endowment Fund of San Francisco and is on the board of the San Francisco Jewish Federation.
| Candidate | Years | Direct Contributions | Behested Payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marc Berman | 2017-2023 | $8,000 | $0 |
| Buffy Wicks | 2017 | $4,400 | $0 |
| Scott Wiener | 2017 | $500 | $0 |
| Jacqui Irwin | 2017 | $250 | $0 |