Aram—
Ive been included on many of your email threads, and Ive come away appreciating your engagement on issues that span from the hyperlocal to the national, while at the same time wondering whether this rapid-fire format provides any meaningful value to the recipient of your questioning or to the observers.
Ive been in politics for far less time than many on this thread, but even in that time it seems to me that short-form media has increasingly commodified the short answer to the leading question as a substitute for thoughtful conversation on issues that cant be boiled down to a one-liner. I think emails like this put the recipient in an impossible position: respond succinctly and invite a cascade of follow-ups; respond thoughtfully and deeply and risk the other side not engaging in kind—wasting time and effort that could have gone toward the same issues on a larger scale; or not respond at all and hand the writer an excuse to paint the recipient as uncaring.
Just my humble opinion, with all the respect in the world for your willingness to hold us elected officials accountable for the people we serve and the actions we take.
Id be happy to discuss this or anything else with you individually or offline in person, but for now, please feel free to drop me from this thread. I dont believe I have anything of value to add to this conversation on national and international issues that are well beyond the bailiwick of a local school board member.
Best,
Shounak
From: Aram James
Date: Sunday, July 19, 2026 at 9:34 AM
To: Sam Liccardo
Cc: Salem Ajluni ; Donna Wallach ; Gerry Gras ; Dana St. George ; Zahra Billoo ; Musa Tariq ; Sean Allen ; Ruth Silver Taube ; Lythcott-Haims, Julie ; EPA Today ; Braden Cartwright ; Diana Diamond ; Jessica Speiser, Educational Leader for California Democratic Delegate, Assembly District 23 ; Dave Price ; Emily Mibach ; Brandon Pho ; Raj Jayadev ; Yusra Hussain ; Carla Torres ; Laurie Valdez <6crzekidz@gmail.com>; Raymond Goins ; Roberta Ahlquist ; WILPF Peninsula Palo Alto ; Jennifer Morrow San José Spotlight ; cromero@cityofepa.org ; rabrica@cityofepa.org ; Supervisor Susan Ellenberg ; Susan Hayase ; Supervisor Otto Lee ; Gennady Sheyner ; supervisor.abe-koga@bos.sccgov.org ; Shounak Dharap ; jgreen@dailynewsgroup.com ;
; Angel, David ; DuJuan Green ; Reifschneider, James ; Nash, Betsy ; Cecilia Taylor ; PD Kristina Bell ; Nancy Goodban ; Bill Newell ; Rebecca Kieler ; GRP-City Council ; city.council@menlopark.gov ; city.council@gilroy.org ; citycouncil@mountainview.gov ; CityCouncil ; CityCouncil ; San José Spotlight ; Josh Becker ; marc.berman@cityofpaloalto.com ; Jeff Rosen ; Jessica Speiser ; Shikada, Ed ; Lauing, Ed ; Rosen, Jeff ; Keith Reckdahl ; Vicki Veenker ; Patrice Ventresca ; planning.commission@cityofpaloalto.0rg ; ParkRec Commission ; Jay Boyarsky ; Rodriguez, Miguel ; Damon Silver ; james pitkin ; Lewis james ; Seanjames143@yahoo.com ; Yolanda Sena ; Friends of Cubberley ; Rose Lynn ; Lotus Fong ; Justin Zalkin ; Mila Zelkha ; Charlotte Casey ; Charisse Domingo ; Human Relations Commission ; Burt, Patrick ; planning.commision@cityofpaloalto.org ; Nash, Betsy ; Anna Griffin ; Socorro McCord ; eric.figueroa@cityofpaloalto.org ; Robert Salonga ; Robert Handa ; Jeff Hayden ; bryan gobin ; Seher Awan ; Palo Alto Free Press ; yolanda ; Yolanda Conaway ; Goodell, Erin ; John.alaniz@cityofpaloalto.org ; Bill Armaline ; Bill Johnson ; Enberg, Nicholas ; Beth von Emster ; Ari Tarver
Subject: Re: Sam “ AIPAC “ Liccardo
7/19/2026
Hi Sam,
1. But you still support Israel’s right to exist? And make a distinction between so-called offensive weapons and weapons for defense, Correct?
2. Have you publicly committed to taking zero AIPAC funds in the future? Yes, No, explain?
3. Do you support a one-state solution? Yes, No, explain?
4. And you still support sending billions of dollars a year to extremely wealthy Israel, money badly needed for programs here at home, correct? Explain?
5. Last for today: Israel has a very large supply of nuclear weapons, agreed? Iran has zero nuclear weapons. Do you agree Iran, as a sovereign nation, is as entitled as Israel, or any other nation, to produce its own nuclear weapons? Yes, No, explain.
Sam, I Look forward to your answers to the above questions and your continued dialogue on these life and death issues.
Avram “ Eliminate The State of Israel Now” Finkelstein -aka -Aram James
On Sun, Jul 19, 2026 at 7:43 AM Sam Liccardo > wrote:
Aram, after this email, Im going to stop responding to this litany of "1000 questions" after this email, because I have plenty of other work to do on this Sunday. In response to a few of your recent questions:
1. No, thats a false statement. Ive never been endorsed by AIPAC, and my public statement (making clear my opposition to offensive military aid to Israel and my endorsement of "Block the Bombs" makes it highly unlikely that I ever will be. I encourage you to visit AIPACs website for yourself: unlike hundreds of other members of Congress who can receive contributions from AIPAC members through their portal, I cannot.
2. Yes, I visited the West Bank in December of 2019, at the same time that I visited other parts of Israel. I met with the late Saeb Erekat and other Palestinian Authority officials in Ramallah, and met with an Arab journalist in East Jerusalem as well. I travelled with my wife (not part of any other group) in a rental car into other parts of the West Bank, including Bethlehem and Nazareth, and I recall a couple of other stops on the way to Capernaum. That was my only trip to Israel, and during the first half of the trip, I travelled with a group of Democratic elected officials funded by the American Israel Education Foundation, which I understand to be affiliated with AIPAC. I have not returned to Israel since, and I declined to attend any AIPAC-sponsored trips during my tenure in Congress.
On Sat, Jul 18, 2026 at 4:02 PM Aram James > wrote:
Sam,
Is the below statement accurate?
1. AIPAC endorsed Liccardo
AIPAC publicly endorsed Sam Liccardo in the CA-16 House race. That endorsement encouraged AIPAC’s network of donors to contribute to his campaign, but an endorsement itself is not a financial contribution.
On Sat, Jul 18, 2026 at 3:48 PM Aram James > wrote:
Sam,
Is the below statement correct?
Based on publicly available information, there is no evidence that Sam Liccardo has traveled to Gaza.
For the West Bank, I also could not find evidence that he has personally visited. Searches of his public statements, biography, congressional materials, and news coverage do not document a trip there.
There is, however, evidence that he visited Israel:
* In a public post marking the first anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks, Liccardo wrote that he had visited Kibbutz K’far Aza in December 2019, recalling the people he met there.
It’s worth noting that some members of Congress have publicly documented trips to both Israel and the Palestinian territories, but I did not find Sam Liccardo listed among those delegations.
So, the available evidence indicates:
* Gaza: No public evidence that he has traveled there.
* West Bank: No public evidence that he has traveled there.
* Israel: Yes—he has publicly stated that he visited Israel in December 2019.
On Sat, Jul 18, 2026 at 3:26 PM Aram James > wrote:
7/18/2028
Hi Sam,
Further research suggests you also went on another trip to Israel on AIPAC’s dime (2019) when you were mayor or on the San Jose City Council?
True?
False?
Thanks,
Avram
According to the publicly available travel request, city records, and congressional travel disclosures, Sam Liccardo’s documented AIEF-sponsored trip to Israel in December 2019 was described as an educational seminar focused on Israeli society, security, innovation, and the U.S.–Israel relationship.
The stated purpose of the trip included:
* Learning about Israel’s political system and society.
* Discussing regional security issues and U.S.–Israel relations.
* Visiting sites related to innovation and technology.
* Meeting with political, security, and community leaders.
* Exploring historical and religious locations.
Typical activities on these AIEF educational seminars include:
* Briefings from Israeli government and military officials.
* Discussions with foreign policy experts.
* Visits to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and other cities.
* Tours of historical, archaeological, and religious sites.
* Visits to areas near Israel’s borders to receive security briefings.
* Meetings with Israeli academics, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit leaders.
The San Jose City Council memorandum authorizing Liccardo’s travel specifically identified the trip as an Educational Seminar in Israel for Pacific Northwest Progressive Leaders, with travel to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Tiberias, and stated that all travel expenses would be paid by the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF).
The value of the trip reported in ethics disclosures was approximately $12,345, covering airfare, lodging, meals, and other travel-related expenses, paid by AIEF under applicable ethics rules.
If you’re interested, I can also summarize the day-by-day itinerary for the 2019 seminar, including the cities visited and the types of meetings and site visits participants attended.
On Sat, Jul 18, 2026 at 3:16 PM Aram James > wrote:
Sam,
Is the below information accurate?
The publicly available House travel disclosure for Sam Liccardo’s congressional trip to Israel, the reported value of the trip was approximately $12,345.02.
The sponsor-reported breakdown was:
* Transportation: $5,598.40
* Lodging: $1,696.00
* Meals: $1,260.06
* Other expenses (such as ground transportation, guides, admissions, etc.): $3,790.56
Total reported value: $12,345.02.
According to the disclosure, these expenses were paid by the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF), a nonprofit affiliated with AIPAC that sponsors educational travel for members of Congress under House ethics rules.
If you’re interested, I can also summarize who Liccardo met on the trip, what sites he visited, and the stated purpose of the travel from the official itinerary and ethics filings.
On Sat, Jul 18, 2026 at 2:47 PM Aram James > wrote:
Sam,
Is the below information correct?
I searched for additional records covering Sam Liccardo’s career before and after entering Congress.
Based on the publicly available evidence I could find:
* There is one publicly documented official trip to Israel.
* The trip was paid for by the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF), a nonprofit organization affiliated with AIPAC that sponsors educational trips for members of Congress.
On Sat, Jul 18, 2026 at 11:21 AM Aram James > wrote:
Youre welcome, Sam!! I will get back to you with a more substantive response in the near future. In the meantime, I have a few questions for you below. I look forward to your responses.
Peace,
Avram Finkelstein aka Aram James
**One of your proud Jewish constituents who wants the vile war-crimes state of Israel eliminated.
P.S.
1 How many times have you traveled to Israel?
2. If so, under what circumstances?
3. Were your trips to Israel, if you in fact went, paid for by AIPAC money?
4. If not, who paid for your trips?
5. When you were mayor of San Jose or on city council, who paid for your trips to Israel?
6. Have you traveled to Palestine? Gaza? West Bank? Other locations in Palestine?
7. If not, why have you not taken a fact-finding trip to Gaza and the West Bank?
8. Have you publicly called for a one-state solution?
9. Have you publicly condemned Israel 🇮🇱 as a war-crimes genocidal state? If Not, Why Not?
19. Have you publicly called for the elimination of the rogue apartheid state, war-crimes state of Israel? If Not, Why Not, Sam?
****Sam, Im proud of you for your willingness to open up a constructive conversation with me on this critical issue. Look forward to more of the same.
Avram “Eliminate The State of Israel Now” Finkelstein
On Sat, Jul 18, 2026 at 8:00 AM Sam Liccardo > wrote:
Thanks Aram.
First, you’re incorrect: I’ve never received money directly from AIPAC, and they’re certainly not giving to me now. They will not accept contributions for me on their website, unlike hundreds of other members of Congress. Among the reasons why they won’t ever contribute to me is my cosponsorship of the “Block the Bombs” bill, and public statements like this:
https://liccardo.house.gov/massie-amendment
I’m sure I’ve received contributions from local community residents who are members of AIPAC, though not nearly as much as my opponent in 2024, and I’m also confident I received more contributions from members of the Muslim or Arab-American communities who object to the conduct of the Israeli leadership. I had to raise $6 million in that race, so the amounts you’re citing are less than 2% of my raise in that cycle.
In your future missives, I encourage you to present facts more accurately and with relevant context.
Sam
Sam Liccardo
Member of Congress
16th District of California
(this email is being sent from my private account, and is not official correspondence)
On Sat, Jul 18, 2026 at 12:30 AM Aram James > wrote:
For Sam Liccardo’s successful 2024 House campaign:
* Direct AIPAC PAC contributions: $10,000 (the maximum PAC contribution for the primary and general election combined). This would appear in FEC filings as a contribution from the AIPAC PAC.
* Including AIPAC-affiliated individual donors: Public campaign finance trackers report a total of about $80,000–$90,000 in support associated with AIPAC’s network during the 2023–2024 cycle. This larger figure includes donations from individuals identified as part of AIPAC’s donor network, not just the PAC itself.
So if someone says “Liccardo took $10,000 from AIPAC,” they’re referring only to the PAC’s direct contribution. If they cite a figure around $80,000–$90,000, they’re using a broader methodology that includes affiliated individual donors as well.
If you’d like, I can also break down:
* the exact FEC entries for the $10,000,
* who the major AIPAC-affiliated individual donors were, or
* how Liccardo compares with other California members of Congress on AIPAC-linked fundraising.