Ocasio-Cortez said Israel was pushing ‘ethnic cleansing’ of Palestinians
During a town hall focused on the Green New Deal, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York and a member of the progressive “Squad,” suggested that the United States should consider halting aid to Israel. This suggestion came in response to a constituent’s question about the U.S. decision to veto a United Nations ceasefire resolution.
Ocasio-Cortez criticized the veto, expressing her discontent, labeling it as “completely wrong” and an “outrage.” She emphasized her belief that the veto contradicted American values, especially considering that the ceasefire resolution had garnered support from nearly all other parties except for one abstention.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was specifically targeted by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who criticized his response to Hamas’ surprise attack on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 people, mainly civilians.
“I firmly believe that we should not only be advocating for a ceasefire, but we must also consider conditioning or even cutting aid to the Netanyahu government,” stated Ocasio-Cortez. She emphasized her concern over the government’s apparent disregard for human life in Gaza. Her remarks received applause from the audience.
The Gaza Health Ministry, under Hamas control, reports that over 29,000 Palestinians, including both fighters and civilians, have been killed in Israel’s response to the invasion.
Criticism from progressives towards the Biden administration’s ongoing support for Israel has mobilized waves of Muslim Americans campaigning against his re-election. President Biden himself has advocated for restraint, but his left-wing argues that his actions don’t go far enough.
For instance, Ocasio-Cortez advocated for the U.S. to “wind down” its support for Israel “to prevent further loss of life.”
“This situation has been appalling. It’s evident that the rhetoric of ethnic cleansing is being used against Palestinians and innocent individuals,” she said.
The U.S. vetoed a United Nations ceasefire resolution for the third time earlier this week, citing concerns about potential negative impacts on ongoing negotiations to secure the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Thirteen countries voted in favor of the resolution, while the United Kingdom abstained.
The issue of Israel and the U.S.’s relationship with its Middle Eastern ally has created divisions within the Democratic Party, with younger leftists advocating for a reconsideration of longstanding diplomatic ties due to Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
Ocasio-Cortez is among the increasing number of progressives advocating for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. This stance has caused friction with American Jewish organizations and moderates within her party.
On Wednesday, she confronted the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a Jewish lobbying group, over a social media post that included her and several other lawmakers with the caption, “A cease-fire now keeps these rapist monsters armed and in power in Gaza.”
She replied, “It is appalling that AIPAC is targeting women members of Congress who have survived sexual assault with this horrific rhetoric. Every day, their role in U.S. politics becomes a greater scandal. They are the NRA of foreign policy. Of course, they don’t want a cease-fire.”