The American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF) is a nonprofit charitable organization established as an affiliate and educational arm of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), America's prominent pro-Israel lobbying group. Incorporated on September 29, 1988, in Washington, D.C., AIEF operates as a 501(c)(3) entity with the primary mission to advance AIPAC's objectives by providing educational resources and programs that strengthen the U.S.-Israel relationship. It focuses on gathering and disseminating information on issues affecting this bilateral alliance and organizes educational trips, known as missions, for U.S. lawmakers, congressional staffers, other policymakers, influencers, journalists, and students to Israel to build support for U.S.-Israel relations. These trips aim to foster firsthand understanding of Israel's security challenges, culture, and strategic importance to the United States, thereby building bipartisan support for pro-Israel policies. AIEF's activities are integral to AIPAC's broader advocacy efforts, allowing the foundation to provide financial and logistical support for educational initiatives that might be restricted under lobbying regulations for AIPAC itself, which operates as a 501(c)(4). The organization has sponsored thousands of such trips over the decades, including visits for members of Congress and their aides, often covering travel expenses to highlight Israel's perspective on regional conflicts, counterterrorism, and diplomatic relations. Critics have scrutinized these trips for potentially influencing policy decisions, but AIEF maintains they are purely educational. Financially, AIEF channels donations and grants to fund these programs, with its operations closely intertwined with AIPAC's network of supporters. As a key player in pro-Israel advocacy, AIEF contributes to networks of influence by educating policymakers on topics like Iran's nuclear program, Palestinian-Israeli peace processes, and U.S. military aid to Israel. It does not engage directly in lobbying but supports AIPAC's goals through non-partisan educational outreach.