AOC ruthlessly attacks Israel, says it is committing ‘genocide’

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., recently voiced her opinion on the contentious use of the term “genocide” in relation to Israel’s military actions, suggesting that such accusations should not exclude individuals from public debate. In her appearance on “Meet the Press,” she noted a significant concern among Americans regarding the application of the term “genocide” to Israel’s activities in the Middle East, stating, “in our polling we are seeing large amounts of Americans concerned specifically with that word.”

Ocasio-Cortez further commented on the dwindling public support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration. The congresswoman’s remarks came in response to inquiries about her colleagues’ criticisms of President Joe Biden, with some, including Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., accusing him of endorsing actions they labeled as genocide.

When pressed on her stance regarding the use of “genocide” to describe Biden’s support for Israel, Ocasio-Cortez highlighted the widespread shock among young Americans at the violence and the non-discriminatory loss of life. She also referenced a directive from the International Court of Justice urging Israel to prevent any actions that could be construed as genocidal against Palestinians in Gaza, indicating the gravity of the situation and the international community’s concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The congresswoman and other progressive figures have previously drawn criticism for their comparisons of Israeli policies towards Palestinians with apartheid-era South Africa and for their perceived leniency towards Palestinian militants. Despite such controversies, Ocasio-Cortez has explicitly condemned violence from Hamas, stating, “I condemn Hamas’ attack in the strongest possible terms,” after a pro-Palestinian rally escalated into clashes.

These statements by Ocasio-Cortez have sparked a broader conversation about the language used to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the implications of such discourse on public understanding and foreign policy. Critics argue that such rhetoric from a U.S. lawmaker not only misrepresents the complex realities on the ground but also veers dangerously close to antisemitism by unfairly demonizing Israel. They emphasize the importance of constructive dialogue and the need to support Israel’s right to defend itself while also seeking a peaceful resolution to the long-standing conflict.