As the lone Republican who voted against the $1 billion in aid for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system on September 23, 2021, Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie showed yet again why he’s the most independent-minded congressman in D.C.
He joined Democratic elected officials such as Indiana congressman Andre Cason, Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Michigan congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Illinois congresswoman Marie Newman, Massachusetts congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Illinois congressman Chewy Garcia, Arizona congressman Raul Grijalva, and Missouri congresswoman Cori Bush.
The Iron Dome is a defensive missile system that intercepts rockets that are generally fired by Hamas against Israel. The aid in question would restore the Iron Dome.
The legislation is now heading to the Senate, where it will pass without issue. President Joe Biden is also in favor of the Iron Dome funding.
The Daily Caller reached out to Massie’s office about his controversial vote. Massie firmly replied: “My position of ‘no foreign aid’ might sound extreme to some, but I think it’s extreme to bankrupt our country and put future generations of Americans in hock to our creditors.”
On September 24, Massie tweeted about the uncomfortable realities of foreign aid. He said:
“Fantasy:
Foreign aid buys US influence abroad.
Reality:
Foreign aid is the result of foreign influence exerted on US politicians at home.”
Fantasy:
Foreign aid buys US influence abroad.Reality:
Foreign aid is the result of foreign influence exerted on US politicians at home.— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) September 24, 2021
Naturally, the Israel First lobby attacked Massie for his courageous move. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) led the charge by launching a Facebook ad that read “Efforts to cut, add conditions, or restrict America’s strong, bipartisan commitment to Israel will only harm America’s national interests.” In the ad, Massie’s picture was featured, with words next to it that read “When Israel faced rocket attacks, Thomas Massie voted against Iron Dome.”
Massie then posted a screenshot of the ad on Twitter 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
Massie is correct in pointing this out. AIPAC is a lobby that represents foreign interests, in this case Israeli interests, but obfuscated under the veneer of Americanism.
The fact is many of Israel’s strategic interests do not align with American interests. For that reason, there needs to be a recalibration of relations with the country.
Unfortunately, there’s a massive fixation with Israel among people on the mainstream Right. Let’s get some facts straight. Israel is a rich country, with a per capita GDP of $43,689 according to the International Monetary Fund, a world class military, and an indigenous arms industry — a sign that it’s capable of providing its own defense. Israel is a First World country with an advanced military. There’s no need for it to be on U.S. foreign aid.
A sober foreign policy with regards to Israel and Palestine consists of not taking sides in the conflict. Massie is correct in rejecting the latest in military aid to Israel.
This is the America First way to approach foreign policy. No foreign entanglements and alliances with countries that no longer serve the national interest.
