‘AIPAC Always Gets Mad When I Put America First’: GOP Rep. Massie And Pro-Israel Group Trade Blows

Isaac SchorrOct 31st, 2023, 5:13 pm
 
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., makes a point in the House Rules Committee as Republicans advance a bill to disapprove of action by the District of Columbia Council on a local voting rights act and a criminal code revision, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Feb. 6, 2023.

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and a prominent pro-Israel group are in a war of words over Massie’s vote against a House resolution in support of Israel.

Last Wednesday, Massie was one of 10 members of Congress – and the only Republican – to vote against House Resolution 771, which was meant to convey that the lower chamber is “standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.”

Prior to the vote, Massie outlined his reasons for his opposition to the mostly symbolic resolution.

“1) It calls for sanctions on a sovereign country. Sanctions are a prelude to war and hurt the citizens of the country more than the government of the country that’s being sanctioned,” began Massie in reference to the resolution’s statement in support of “full enforcement of United States sanctions against Iran to prevent Iran’s funding of terrorist groups, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.”

He continued:

2) It asserts the necessity of foreign aid commitments which I have voted against. Our country is going bankrupt and we can’t afford to borrow money to send overseas, yet this resolution states that we should.

3) It contains an open-ended promise of military support that is so broad that it could be interpreted to commit US soldiers to the conflict. US troops should not be engaged in this conflict.

4) It tends to broaden the conflict to other countries when it would be better to keep the war contained geographically.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), however, was not satisfied with this explanation and made its position clear on X by accusing him of voting with “the Squad” instead of “supporting Israel” and “condemning Hamas.”

Massie, in turn, blasted the organization in a statement questioning its commitment to advancing American interests and characterizing its support for a bill to send additional aid to Israel as a “shakedown.”

“AIPAC always gets mad when I put America first,” wrote Massie on X. “I won’t be voting for their $14+ billion shakedown of American taxpayers either. Let them know what you think by replying to their post. They are intentionally misrepresenting my intent and the resolution I voted against.”

The organization fired right back at Massie, this time charging him with outright anti-Semitism.

“Charges of dual loyalty are antisemitic and insult millions of patriotic Americans who stand by Israel. The U.S. is stronger when Israel is secure. No misrepresentation, your vote says it all: NO to standing with Israel NO to condemning Hamas NO to helping Israel win this war,” it declared.

“This baseless smear is meant to intimidate me into voting to send $14+ billion of your money to a foreign country. Please let AIPAC know we are broke, and these tactics don’t work on this Congressman,” replied Massie in what made for the last volley of the exchange so far.

In the past, Massie has called AIPAC’s criticism of him “foreign interference in our elections” even though the organization is an American one.

Tags: