Rep. Thomas Massie stood by his decision to vote late Tuesday against a House resolution affirming Israel’s right to exist, claiming it wrongly conflated criticism of the Jewish state with antisemitism.
Massie (R-Ky.) was the only lawmaker to vote “no” on the resolution titled “Reaffirming the State of Israel’s Right to Exist,” which passed the lower house with 412 “yes” votes and one other member, Rashida Tlaib (D -Mich.), voted “present.”
“I agree with the title ‘Reaffirming the State of Israel’s Right to Exist’ and most of the language, but I voted No on the resolution because it equates anti-Zionism with antisemitism,” Massie explained of X.
“Antisemitism is deplorable, but expanding it to include criticism of Israel doesn’t help.”
Notably, the resolution does not refer to anti-Zionism by name, nor does it suggest that generic criticism of Israeli policies is antisemitic.
I agree with the title “Reaffirming the State of Israel’s Right to Exist” and most of the language, but I voted No on the resolution because it equates anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Antisemitism is deplorable, but expanding it to include criticism of Israel doesn’t help. pic.twitter.com/YWBDKDCGZB
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) November 29, 2023
The measure took note of the “constant external threat” against Israel and declared that “denying Israel’s right to exist is a form of antisemitism.”
“[E]Even after the establishment of the State of Israel, other countries and terrorist entities continue to attack Israel, deny its right to exist, and call for its destruction,” read the resolution, introduced by Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY).
This is not the first time Massie has crossed party lines in Israel. Getty Images
Notably, while Tlaib voted in attendance, other members of the so-called “Squad” of left-wing lawmakers — often critical of Israel and accused of antisemitism — supported the resolution, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) of the Bronx and Queens, Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) from the Bronx and Westchester.
Massie, who considers himself a libertarian, has opposed his party in the past for supporting Israel.
Last month, for example, he joined members of the “Squad” and voted against a House resolution affirming US support for the Jewish state and condemning the terrorist group Hamas. He was the only Republican to do so.
The resolution came close to clearing the lower chamber unanimously. ZUMAPRESS.com
His vote at the time drew backlash from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Last year, Massie was the only vote in the House of Representatives against a resolution calling on the government to do what it can to protect Jews.
The Kentuckian explanation did not sit well with many critics.
Thomas Massie claimed that the resolution equated anti-Zionism with antisemitism. AFP via Getty Images
“Very misleading by Massie. The resolution does NOT expand antisemitism ‘to include criticism of Israel,'” wrote “The View” co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin on X. “It is very clear: -reaffirming Israel’s right to exist -reaffirming denying Israel’s right to exist is a form of antisemitism (it is)—rejecting calls for the destruction of Israel.”
“To the die-hard naysayers out there: not a single member of the @HouseDemocrats voted tonight against Israel’s right to exist. Tom Massie, a Republican did. And every Dem voted to condemn the Hamas attack on Oct. 7 & call for the immediate release of the hostages,” Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) Manhattan.
Keep up with the news on the Israel-Hamas war and the surge in global antisemitism with The Post’s Israel War Updates, delivered straight to your inbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
“You’re not right,” replied Ilya Shapiro of the Manhattan Institute to Massie. “Anti-Zionism = antisemitism. To deny it is antisemitic. None of your votes on this are worse than Tlaib’s gift. Congratulations.”
Very misleading by Massie. The resolution did NOT expand antisemitism “to include criticism of Israel”
It’s very clear:-reaffirming Israel’s right to exist-reaffirming denying Israel’s right to exist is a form of antisemitism (it is)-rejecting calls for the destruction of Israel https://t.co/YytUh6qqhR
— Alyssa Farah Griffin (@Alyssafarah) November 29, 2023
For the die-hard naysayers out there: no one is an expert@HouseDemocratsvote tonight against Israel’s right to exist. Tom Massie, a Republican did. And every Dem voted to condemn the Hamas attack on October 7 & call for the immediate release of the hostages. pic.twitter.com/Hg5qiLr5dL
— Rep. Nadler (@RepJerryNadler) November 29, 2023
“(R-KY Thomas Massie) is INSANE! I’m tired of the ridiculous voting habits. I need to visit his congressional district! #TRUMP2024ToSaveAmerica,” said conservative commentator Leo Terrell.
“Thomas, you’re wrong about this,” argued Colorado radio host Ross Kaminsky. “There are precious few critics of Israel who are not actually anti-Semitic just pretending to be honest. These people will ALWAYS find something to criticize Israel about, even if Israel wipes out whatever the critics complain about now. Furthermore, being a critic of some of Israel’s policies is NOT the same as anti-Zionism which opposes Israel’s right to exist ([especially] as a Jewish state.) Anti-Zionists are truly anti-Semitic.”
A handful of commentators defended the lawmaker.
Hero. The only member of Congress who stands with the people and with freedom of speech. Thank you sir. God bless and protect you.
— Andrew Torba (@BasedTorba) November 29, 2023
“Hero. The only member of Congress who stands with the people and with freedom of speech. Thank you sir. God bless and protect you,” said Andrew Sorba, CEO of Gab.com.
Earlier this month, Massie opposed a stand-alone Republican bill that would have provided $14.3 billion in aid to Israel, in line with his longstanding skepticism of US foreign aid.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
