An Open Letter to Senator Jon Ossoff
AJT Publisher Michael Morris questions Sen. Ossoff's voting record in terms of supporting Israel.
Editor’s Note: This piece first appeared in the Atlanta Jewish Times, a Georgia publication focused on serving the Jewish community in the greater Atlanta area.
Dear Senator Ossoff,
I apologize for being blunt, but please, stop lying to me and your constituents. I hear you claim, over and over again, that you support Israel — that your support is “ironclad.” It is not. You vote against Israel on the Senate floor in Washington, then come home to Georgia and make this untruthful claim.
Let me be clear and precise. When a rhetorical bill reaches the floor — condemning Hamas after Oct. 7 or affirming Israel’s right to defend itself — you vote with heartfelt sympathy for Israel. But when a bill offers Israel tangible strategic support — munitions, rifles, bombs, military and financial assistance — your record is abysmal, and you throw Israel under the bus. You are with Israel on the votes that cost you nothing, and against it on the votes that actually matter. All that heartfelt sympathy is smoke and mirrors.
Support for Israel does not come by voting to block its arms. As an example from last year, when you voted against Israel’s safety and then issued a statement rationalizing your vote, that statement is not evidence of support — it is merely an excuse for the absence of it [specifically: S.J.Res.41, Roll Call Vote 454, July 30, 2025, and your accompanying statement, which you can read here: https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/press-releases/sen-ossoff-statement-on-jrd-votes/].
Your antagonism toward Israel has remained steadfast. You backed some of Senator Sanders’ resolutions to cut off Israel’s weapons in late 2024, again in July 2025, and on April 15, 2026, you went furthest yet — voting to block every sale on the floor. Your vote continues to demonstrate a lack of support for the Jewish state.
I also have to ask, Senator: when you spoke recently at the Voices of Muslims gala in Duluth — as you had every right and incentive to do — did you tell that room your support for Israel is “ironclad,” the way you tell your Jewish constituents? Or does the message change with the audience? Did you point to your voting record of denying tangible support for Israel? Tell me what your message was and I will gladly share it with your constituents and my readers.
You campaigned as a supporter of Israel. You were elected to stand with our allies. You continue to claim that you support Israel. Demonstrate your support with your vote on the Senate floor. If instead you choose to keep voting against Israel, at least do not come home and obfuscate your vote — own your record. Because if you are not telling us the truth about this, Senator, I am left to ask: what else are you not telling us?
Sincerely,
Michael A. Morris
Publisher, Atlanta Jewish Times
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