Staff Reports
In response to recent anti-Israel protests at Columbia University and other elite institutions, members of the Squad, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have shown support for these agitators while criticizing Israel. AOC’s political account posted several times about Israel and Columbia University, with some of the posts omitting support for the protests. This has caused disarray among Democrats.
In a Very Busy Day for AOC's X Account, Squad Member Doubles Down on Support for Pro-Hamas Protests
https://t.co/QMC7Cx8g5G— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) April 25, 2024
AOC also rushed to the defense of Sen. Bernie Sanders, who had criticized the Israeli Prime Minister and voted against aid to Israel. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat who has voted in favor of aid to Israel, criticized AOC and Sanders’ actions, citing his own family’s losses in the Holocaust.
Bernie Sanders has also given a platform to Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who has expressed anti-Israel sentiment. AOC reposted Sanders’ statement criticizing the Israeli Prime Minister, using figures that Hamas has admitted to exaggerating as propaganda.
Additionally, AOC expressed concern about the mobilization of NYPD at Columbia University, failing to address the sympathies expressed by some students with terrorists and the presence of outside agitators at the protests. She also applauded those who booed Speaker Mike Johnson for speaking out against antisemitism at Columbia University.
Even after these incidents, AOC continued to provoke controversy, garnering criticism from the NYPD Chief of Patrol for lamenting the police presence at the protests.
The incidents illustrate the division among Democrats on the Israel issue and raises concerns about showing support for protests with ties to Hamas and antisemitic rhetoric.
