US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the country’s most prominent progressive lawmakers, reportedly told members of the Democratic Socialists of America on Tuesday night that she would oppose all US aid to Israel, including for defensive weapons such as the Iron Dome missile defense system.
The reported comments marked a shift for the progressive New York City congresswoman, who had previously opposed aid that would support offensive weapons for Israel but had not come out against defensive aid.
In 2021, Ocasio-Cortez voted “present” during a vote to fund Iron Dome, rather than opposing. Last year, she voted against an amendment that would have cut defensive funding.
“I have long stated that I do not believe that adding to the death count of innocent victims to this war is constructive to its end,” she posted on X after voting against the amendment, while also decrying what she called the “genocide in Gaza.”
The DSA meeting took place as Iran has continued to shoot missiles, including cluster bombs, at Israel, causing injuries and damage. More than 500 ballistic missiles have been launched from Iran at Israel since the start of the war, with the military reporting an interception rate of 92 percent of attacks heading for populated areas and key infrastructure.
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Peter Sterne, an editor at City and State NY, was the first to report Ocasio-Cortez’s comments at the meeting, which was streamed online for members only.
The meeting was a forum to determine whether the far-left DSA will endorse Ocasio-Cortez’s reelection bid this fall, seen as an inevitability as she is running unopposed. It comes as opposition to Israel has become a litmus test among Democrats, particularly in the party’s progressive wing.
Asked whether she would support an arms embargo on Israel, according to Sterne’s report, Ocasio-Cortez said, “I have not once ever voted to authorize funding to Israel, and I will never. The Israeli government should be able to finance their own weapons if they seek to arm themselves.”
Iron Dome anti-missile system fires interception missiles at rockets fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel, in Ashkelon on August 7, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
A member then asked her to clarify: “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 answered, “Yes.”
The member then said the DSA would support Ocasio-Cortez in that instance. She has, in the past, run afoul of the organization, including in 2024 when it pulled its endorsement of her after she participated in a panel on antisemitism. She has also drawn criticism from the left for her record on funding defensive weapons.
Anti-Israel activists demonstrate outside the US Capitol in Washington, April 20, 2024, as the House prepares to vote on approval of $95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other US allies. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in January that he hopes to “taper off” US military aid to Israel within the next decade, a timeline that could face pressure for acceleration as both Democrats and some Republicans turn against sending US funding to Israel.
According to Sterne, Ocasio-Cortez also told DSA members that she would oppose efforts to codify the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism into law. The definition has been adopted by a wide range of organizations, universities, companies and governments worldwide but has drawn criticism from the left because it identifies some forms of criticism of Israel as antisemitic, even as it expressly permits criticism of the Israeli government.
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