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 sole lawmaker to vote “nay” on the resolution titled “Reaffirming the State of Israel’s Right to Exist,” which the lower chamber approved with 412 “yea” votes and another member, Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) voting “present.”
“I agree with the title ‘Reaffirming the State of Israel’s Right to Exist’ and much of the language, but I’m voting No on the resolution because it equates anti-Zionism with antisemitism,” Massie explained on X.
“Antisemitism is deplorable, but expanding it to include criticism of Israel is not helpful.”
Notably, the resolution did not refer to anti-Zionism by name, nor did it suggest that generic criticisms of Israeli policy are antisemitic.
The measure did take note of “persistent external threats” against Israel and declared that “denying Israel’s right to exist is a form of antisemitism.”
“[E]ven after the establishment of the State of Israel, other countries and terrorist entities continued to attack Israel, reject its right to exist, and call for its destruction,” read the resolution, introduced by Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY).
Notably, while Tlaib voted present, other members of the so-called “Squad” of far-left lawmakers — often critical of Israel and accused of antisemitism — supported the resolution, including Bronx and Queens Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and Bronx and Westchester Rep. Jamaal Bowman.
Massie, who casts himself as a libertarian, has bucked his party in the past over support of Israel.
Last month, for instance, he joined with members of the “Squad” and voted against a House resolution affirming US support for the Jewish state and condemning the Hamas terror group. He was the sole Republican to do that.
His vote at the time drew backlash from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Last year, Massie was the sole vote in the House of Representatives against a resolution imploring the government to do what it can to safeguard Jews.
The Kentuckian’s explanation didn’t go over well with many critics.
“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 very clearly: -reaffirms Israel’s right to exist -reaffirms denying Israel’s right to exist is a form of antisemitism (it is) -rejects calls for destruction of Israel.”
“For the unrelenting naysayers out there: not one member of the @HouseDemocrats voted tonight against Israel’s right to exist. Tom Massie, a Republican did. And every single Dem voted to condemn Hamas’ October 7th attack & called for the immediate release of the hostages,” chided Manhattan Rep. Jerry Nadler.
“You are incorrect,” Ilya Shapiro of the Manhattan Institute responded to Massie. “Anti-Zionism = antisemitism. To deny it is antisemitic. Your no vote on this was worse than Tlaib’s present. Congrats.”
“(R-KY Thomas Massie) is a NUT! I am tired of his ridiculous voting habits. I need to visit his congressional district! #TRUMP2024ToSaveAmerica,” conservative commentator Leo Terrell said.
“Thomas, you’re wrong about this,” argued Colorado radio host Ross Kaminsky. “There are precious few critics of Israel who aren’t actually anti-Semites [sic] just pretending to be honest. These people will ALWAYS find something to criticize Israel about, even if Israel were to eliminate whatever the critics are complaining about now. Furthermore, being a critic of some Israeli policies is NOT the same as anti-Zionism which is opposing the right of Israel to exist ([especially] as a Jewish nation.) Anti-Zionists are absolutely anti-Semites [sic].”
A handful of commentators defended the lawmaker.
“Hero. The sole member of Congress who stands with the people and with free speech. Thank you sir. God bless and protect you,” said Andrew Sorba, CEO of Gab.com.
Earlier this month, Massie opposed a standalone Republican bill providing $14.3 billion in assistance to Israel, in keeping with his longstanding skepticism of US foreign aid.