Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who voted against Iran sanctions, has established a pattern of votes misaligned with the interests of Israel and the Jewish community. His recent opposition to the Mahsa Amini Human Rights and Security Accountability Act (MAHSA) is just the latest example. As a self-proclaimed libertarian, Rep. Massie repeatedly sides with progressives on issues related to Israel’s security and efforts to combat antisemitism.
Earlier this year, Rep. Massie was the sole no vote on a House resolution upholding the importance of combatting antisemitism. The resolution condemned Holocaust denial and distortion, called for protecting Jewish Americans’ rights to practice their faith without fear, and urged maintaining strong U.S.-Israel ties. Yet only Rep. Massie refused to support this uncontroversial statement against anti-Jewish hate and in solidarity with Israel.
In 2019, Rep. Massie voted against a resolution opposing the anti-Israel BDS (boycott, divestment and sanctions) movement. This bill opposed BDS efforts to delegitimize Israel and inflict economic harm on its citizens. Rep. Massie was one of only 16 representatives who failed to back this measure rejecting BDS antisemitism.
On issues from Iran sanctions to foreign aid for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, Rep. Massie consistently opposes legislation supported by mainstream Jewish organizations. He even defends his votes by invoking antisemitic tropes about foreign lobbying influence.
Rep. Massie’s record reveals an apparent hostility to Israel’s security needs and indifference toward rising antisemitism. While claiming non-interventionism, he makes exceptions for votes undermining America’s Israeli allies while remaining silent on true atrocities abroad.
The Kentucky Congressman’s hypocrisy is most evident in his vote against the MAHSA Act. He opposes sanctioning a regime responsible for terrorism against Israelis and egregious human rights abuses against Iranian women and girls. Far from libertarian non-interventionism, this is a selective appeasement that harms Jewish interests and freedom globally.
