Rep. Massie Accuses AIPAC of ‘Foreign Interference’ Even Though AIPAC is American
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) accused the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on Monday of “foreign interference” in U.S. elections – despite the “American” in the pro-Israel advocacy and lobbying organization’s name.
An AIPAC Facebook ad caption reads, “Efforts to cut, add conditions, or restrict America’s strong, bipartisan commitment to Israel will only harm America’s national interests.” The ad includes a picture of the libertarian GOP congressman and words next to it that read, “When Israel faced rocket attacks, Thomas Massie voted against Iron Dome.” A box below the words surround the following words: “Thomas Massie does not speak for me.”
Massie shared a screenshot of the ad and tweeted, “How is THIS not foreign interference in our elections?”
How is THIS not foreign interference in our elections? pic.twitter.com/O5LSToIBUO
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) September 27, 2021
Accusing the pro-Israel lobby, which AIPAC is part of, of “foreign interference” in elections echoes the anti-Semitic trope of Jews or the Jewish state interfering in or controlling elections or government.
Massie was the only Republican to vote last week against a $1 billion bill to fund the Iron Dome, which has saved countless lives in Israel against rocket attacks from by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza and by Hezbollah in Syria and Lebanon. Massie was joined by Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Cori Bush (D-MO), Marie Newman (D-IL), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Andre Carson (D-MD) and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL). Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Hank Johnson (D-GA) voted “present.”
The bill overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives with more than the two-thirds majority needed. The bill, which now awaits a Senate vote, came up after progressive House Democrats stripped Iron Dome funding from the continuing resolution to fund the U.S. government and avoid a government shutdown.
Neither AIPAC nor Massie immediately responded to a request for comment.
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