Scandal-plagued lobby group overhauls political machine amid mounting scrutiny

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee said Wednesday it will end candidate endorsements and stop making or earmarking PAC contributions, reversing the approach it adopted five years ago, according to Jewish Insider.In a letter, AIPAC’s leaders said they want to build “a more strategic, consequential, and nimble political operation” and shift toward encouraging members to donate directly. The group's United Democracy Project super PAC, which has put tens of millions into campaigns, isn’t affected.The change by the lobbying group comes amid sharper scrutiny. The outlet says AIPAC-linked money has turned into a weapon against lawmakers on both political extremes. More Democrats, including Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, now say they’ll refuse outside PAC money or AIPAC’s in particular, and AIPAC halted fundraising for 18 House Democrats this year after they backed cutting aid to Israel in response to mounting allegations of war crimes by international observers and human rights...