Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is facing criticism for her seemingly naive response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. In an interview with CNN’s Abby Phillip, AOC called for an immediate ceasefire and claimed that a ceasefire was not a one-sided decision. However, when pressed by Phillip about what Israel was supposed to do in the face of a vicious terrorist attack, AOC struggled to provide a coherent answer.
Phillip pointed out that Israel has a right to defend itself against terrorist attacks, to which AOC initially agreed. But her subsequent comments about collective punishment and “thinking about what our goal is” suggest that she doesn’t want Israel to take action against the terrorists. Phillip pressed AOC on how Israel is supposed to deal with the terrorists if they don’t respond, to which AOC could offer no viable solution.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez spends almost three minutes trying to explain her calls for a “ceasefire” after Hamas terrorists brutally massacred innocent Israelis and it does not go well pic.twitter.com/qkQ30jSIuG
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 17, 2023
This stance is alarming, given Hamas’ history of violence and their stated goal of wiping Israel off the map. AOC’s comments seem to suggest that she would rather see Israel be a victim of terrorism than defend itself against its attackers. And unfortunately, this stance is not unique to AOC, as some members of the Biden administration have also expressed a desire to focus on aid and humanitarian efforts in Gaza rather than addressing the root cause of the conflict: Hamas’ terrorist activities.
AOC’s refusal to vote for Iron Dome funding in the past due to previous Israeli strikes in Gaza further displays her flawed understanding of the situation. It is naive to think that Hamas would care about condemnation from the US, and it is even more concerning that AOC would rather punish Israel for defending itself than hold Hamas accountable for their actions.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says she voted against Iron Dome funding because Israel once launched a retaliatory airstrike against Hamas terrorists.
She conveniently omits that Hamas houses itself alongside civilians in Gaza, using them as human shields. pic.twitter.com/YPW2VQsCPA
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 17, 2023
Additionally, AOC’s proposal to take in refugees from Gaza is both impractical and dangerous. Not only would this put Americans at risk by potentially allowing in individuals who support terrorist regimes, but it also ignores the fact that even neighboring countries do not want to take in these refugees.
In summary, AOC’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict reveals a concerning lack of understanding and an inclination to prioritize humanitarian efforts over addressing the threat of terrorism. It is essential for our leaders to have a firm grasp on foreign policy and to prioritize the safety and security of their own citizens above all else. Hopefully, AOC and the Biden administration will rethink their approach and recognize the need to address the root cause of the conflict: Hamas’ deadly actions.
“Should Arab countries be taking on the lion’s share of the burden to absorb what could be over a million, if not more, refugees from Gaza?”
AOC: “That does not abdicate the United States from our historic role that we’ve played in the world of accepting refugees” pic.twitter.com/UsL8beCf82
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 17, 2023
