Jewish federations of Ulster, Dutchess decry Ryan vote blocking aid to Israel – Daily Freeman

KINGSTON, N.Y. — The Jewish federations of Ulster and Dutchess counties blasted U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan on Wednesday for what they say is the congressman’s flip-flop stance on Israel.

The organizations say they are usually non-political but had to issue a statement because of actions that “directly threaten the safety and security of the Jewish community.”

In a joint statement, the two Jewish groups said they wrote their open letter to Ryan, D-Gardiner, who represents the 18th Congressional District, “regarding his dangerous shift in stance on funding Israel’s military aid as well as rejecting support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).”

In mid-July, Ryan defended his vote to block $3.3 billion in U.S. aid to Israel and said that vote was likely going to cost him the support of the lobbying group. He also said he would return AIPAC’s campaign contributions.

But the groups said he changed his views “to win votes.”

“The Jewish Federations of Dutchess and Ulster Counties are and always have been proudly non-political, non-partisan organizations. Our core mission is to sustain Jewish life, care for those in need, and safeguard our community,” the groups said in a press release. “We do not engage in endorsing candidates or playing party politics. However, when an elected official loses their ethical bearings to win votes, issuing statements and actions that directly threaten the safety and security of the Jewish community, we cannot stand by in silence.”

“Congressman Ryan originally stood as a supporter of Israel, recognizing the vital necessity of its self-defense after October 7th,” the release said. “Yet, in a high-stakes election cycle, he has turned his back on the Jewish community to appease political extremists like the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and has actively imported divisive politics into our backyard, sparking a troubling surge in local antisemitism,” the groups said.

“Furthermore, his vote to halt essential military funding carries severe geopolitical and economic consequences. Blocking this aid directly emboldens Iran and its proxies, whose explicit goal is the destruction of Israel. To cut this support is, in effect, to align with that objective.”

Ryan responded Wednesday by saying, in part, that “The safety and security of every member of our Hudson Valley community is the most important thing to me,” adding that, “The driving force behind every vote I take is how it will serve our community,  and this is no different.”

“While hardworking families here in the Hudson Valley struggle to afford basic necessities, I could not in good conscience vote to send $3.3 billion more taxpayer dollars overseas to support Netanyahu’s increasingly corrupt and dangerous government,” Ryan said, echoing previous statements. “I have had countless conversations with constituents across our district on this topic – including the Jewish Federation – and will continue to do so. This was a decision I do not take lightly and was based on those conversations and what I believe is best for our community and our country.”

“This vote does not represent an abandonment of the state of Israel or the Jewish people. It does not deny the fact that Hamas is a terrorist organization. It does not neglect the profound grief of October 7th, nor the devastation in the years that followed. It does not change my longstanding commitment to Israel’s right to exist, and to urgently addressing the growing scourge of anti-Semitism.”

But Ryan said his vote on the military money “does represent a reset.”

“(It is) an opportunity to step back and rebuild towards a better future for Israelis, Palestinians, and the Middle East and to send a message to Netanyahu’s government that the status quo is unacceptable,” Ryan said. “I stand ready to work with an allied Israeli government that recommits itself to democratic values and meaningful progress toward a two-state solution.”

The Jewish groups said that blocking aid also risks losing American jobs.

“Blocking this aid threatens 16,500 American jobs, including local positions right here in our community,” the release said. “Scrapping the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) also frees Israel to manufacture its own defense systems independently rather than sharing joint R&D (research and development)- turning a key ally into a direct competitor and risking even more American jobs.”

“Ryan’s decision to vilify AIPAC is deeply dishonest,” the groups said. “AIPAC is simply an organization of American citizens who believe in the essential bond between the United States and Israel.”

Earlier this month, Ryan said in a social media post that he knows his vote to block $3.3 billion in U.S. aid to Israel is likely going to cost him the support of AIPAC.

But, he said, it doesn’t matter.

“I expect groups like AIPAC will not support me in my future elections and frankly, I don’t want their support,” Ryan posted.

According to the Federal Election Commission, during the 2025-26 campaign cycle, Ryan received $264,958 in contributions from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee political action committee and individuals donating funds “earmarked by AIPAC.”

Ryan, D-Gardiner, was among more than 100 House Democrats to vote in favor of an amendment to the fiscal 2027 funding bill for the State Department and national security that would have prohibited funds from the bill from being used for Israel and reduced the Foreign Military Financing program by $3.3 billion, matching the amount that would be designated for Israel.

The final 104-314 vote on the amendment was not enough to block the funding from passing.