Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) committed to opposing any U.S. military aid to Israel on Tuesday, reversing her position of limited support after facing pressure to do so from the left wing of the Democratic Party.
Ocasio-Cortez has historically been skeptical of Israel but has backed U.S. efforts to support the Middle Eastern democracy’s ability to defend itself. Upon goading from the Democratic Socialists of America, the congresswoman this week rescinded that support, telling members she would commit to voting “no” for any spending on arms for Israel, including defensive aid.
“If the moment presents itself in Congress, will you commit to voting ‘no’ for any spending on arms for Israel, including so-called ‘defensive capabilities’?” Ocasio-Cortez was asked during a meeting with members of the New York City Democratic Socialists of America.
“Yes,” she quickly answered, according to City and State New York.
During the meeting, Ocasio-Cortez also said she will oppose any attempts to enshrine the controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Association definition of antisemitism into law, according to DSA members.
The definition of antisemitism, according to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, is “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.”
IHRA defines that “rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” A given example of antisemitism by the organization includes the view commonly held by anti-Zionists: “Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.”
In a statement on Wednesday, Ocasio-Cortez suggested Israel is well-positioned to defend itself without U.S. aid.
“The Israeli government is well able to fund the Iron Dome system, which has proven critical to keep innocent civilians safe from rocket attacks and bombardment,” she wrote in a post on X. “Consistent with my voting record to date, I will not support Congress sending more taxpayer dollars and military aid to a government that consistently ignores international law and U.S. law.”
The development as fringes of both the Democrat and Republican Parties has veered into anti-Israel and anti-Jewish positions, particularly since Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel triggered the country’s war on the terrorists in Gaza in late 2023.
On the Right, Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens have emerged as major personalities in conservative circles, making controversial statements on Israel and Jews, with critics warning that such figures are spreading conspiracy theories that Jews control U.S. policies and global systems. On the Left, including in the socialist movement, it has become increasingly common for leading figures such as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to accuse Israel of committing genocide.
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Before shifting her position on Tuesday, Ocasio-Cortez had previously backed providing defensive support to Israel.
“We believe strongly in Israel’s right to self-defense and have joined colleagues previously in affirming our shared commitment,” she wrote in a 2024 statement joined by other House Democrats. “All of us support strengthening the Iron Dome and other defense systems, and we are committed to a sovereign, safe, and secure future for Israel.”
