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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., suggested Thursday that the U.S. should consider cutting off aid to Israel when she was confronted by a voter about the U.S. vetoing a U.N. ceasefire resolution nations would submit.
The progressive “Squad” Democrat made the comments during a town hall meeting discussing the Green New Deal.
“I think it’s completely wrong,” Ocasio-Cortez said of the veto. “I think it is an outrage that we said we would send our top diplomat to veto a ceasefire resolution that essentially all other actors agreed to and only one abstained from. I think that goes against our values.”
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It specifically targeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom leftists have attacked over his response to Hamas' surprise attack on October 7 that killed just over 1,000 people, mostly civilians.
The Israeli parliament supports Netanyahu and rejects the move to “unilaterally” recognize the Palestinian state
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., is calling on President Biden to limit or end aid to Israel. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images and Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
“I believe that not only should we advocate for a ceasefire, I also believe that we need to at least condition or even cut aid to the Netanyahu government, which has shown no regard for human life in Gaza,” Ocasio said – Cortez said.
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Her comments were met with applause from the audience.
The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, which makes no distinction between fighters and civilians, said more than 29,000 Palestinians had been killed in Israel's response to the invasion.
Progressives have criticized the Biden administration's continued support of Israel, and it has even inspired waves of Muslim Americans to fight his re-election. President Biden himself has pushed for restraint, but his left wing has argued that it is not far enough.
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Hamas terrorists are using the release of Israeli hostages in a game of psychological warfare
She also criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP)
Ocasio-Cortez, for example, called on the US to “reduce” its support for Israel “to prevent further loss of life.”
“That was disgusting. It is very clear that the language of ethnic cleansing is being used against Palestinians and innocent people,” she said.
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The United States vetoed a United Nations ceasefire resolution for the third time earlier this week, arguing that it could have a negative impact on ongoing negotiations over the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Thirteen countries voted in favor of the resolution, with the United Kingdom abstaining.
The question of Israel and U.S. relations with its Middle East ally has driven a wedge within the Democratic Party, with younger leftists calling for eschewing longstanding diplomatic ties over Israel's treatment of the Palestinians.
Critics say the United Nations has remained silent about Hamas' rape, mutilation and murder of Israeli women
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Demonstrators gather outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City on December 4, 2023, during a “#metoo unless you’re Jewish.” (Charly Tribleau/AFP via Getty Images)
Ocasio-Cortez is among the growing number of progressives calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, a position that has put her at odds with both American Jewish groups and moderates within her own party.
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On Wednesday, she clashed with the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a Jewish lobbying group, over a social media post that mentioned her and several other lawmakers with the caption: “A ceasefire now keeps these rapist monsters armed and.” in power.” in Gaza.”
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She responded: “It is appalling that AIPAC is targeting female members of Congress who have survived sexual assault with this terrible rhetoric. Every day her role in US politics becomes a major scandal. They are the NRA of foreign policy. Of course.” They don’t want a ceasefire.”