ATLANTA (VINnews) – The publisher of the Atlanta Jewish Times has accused U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., of lying to constituents about his support for Israel, citing the senator’s repeated votes to block U.S. military sales and aid to the Jewish state.

In an open letter published Aug. 12, Michael Morris, publisher of the Atlanta Jewish Times, wrote that Ossoff frequently claims his support for Israel is “ironclad” while voting against tangible military assistance in the Senate.

“I apologize for being blunt, but please, stop lying to me and your constituents,” Morris wrote. “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.”

Morris distinguished between symbolic measures and substantive ones. He said Ossoff supports rhetorical bills condemning Hamas or affirming Israel’s right to self-defense but opposes legislation providing munitions, rifles, bombs or other military and financial aid.

“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,” Morris wrote.

The publisher pointed to specific votes, including measures backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders in late 2024 and July 2025, as well as a vote on April 15, 2026, in which Ossoff supported blocking arms sales. Morris also referenced Ossoff’s vote against S.J. Res. 41 on July 30, 2025 (Roll Call Vote 454) and the accompanying statement from the senator’s office.

“Support for Israel does not come by voting to block its arms,” Morris wrote. “Your antagonism toward Israel has remained steadfast. … Your vote continues to demonstrate a lack of support for the Jewish state.”

Morris further questioned whether Ossoff presents the same message to different audiences, referencing a recent appearance at a Voices of Muslims gala in Duluth, Georgia. He challenged the senator to explain whether he described his support for Israel as “ironclad” in that setting or disclosed his voting record.

“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,” Morris wrote. “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?”

Ossoff, who is Jewish, has previously described his commitment to Israel’s security as ironclad and noted that he has supported billions of dollars in aid to Israel overall. As of the letter’s publication, his office had not issued a direct response addressing Morris’ specific accusations.

The open letter drew attention amid Georgia’s competitive U.S. Senate race, in which Ossoff faces Republican Rep. Mike Collins. Collins seized on the criticism, calling Ossoff a “sellout” and highlighting his own record of supporting Israeli missile defense and efforts related to Oct. 7 hostages.

Ossoff has defended aspects of his record by citing concerns over certain Israeli government policies and the humanitarian situation in Gaza while condemning Hamas as a terrorist organization.