In a recent interview on “Meet the Press,” Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York said individuals should not face exclusion from public discourse for accusing Israel of genocide in its ongoing conflict with Hamas.
The congresswoman highlighted that a substantial number of Americans express concerns about the term “genocide” concerning Israel’s actions in the Middle East, stating that such expressions should not lead to complete exclusion from public conversations.
“Whether you are an individual that believes this is a genocide — which by the way, in our polling we are seeing large amounts of Americans concerned specifically with that word. So I don’t think that it is something to completely toss someone out of our public discourse for using,” she said.
During the interview, Ocasio-Cortez also said she has observed the shifting public sentiment, noting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has become unpopular.
The New York Democrat is convinced Netanyahu’s government “has lost public support.”
When questioned about her colleagues, including fellow progressive Rep. Rashida Tlaib, accusing President Joe Biden of supporting genocide, Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged the widespread discontent among young people across the country, emphasizing they’re appalled at the violence and indiscriminate loss of life.
Drawing attention to the legal dimension of the situation, Ocasio-Cortez pointed out that the International Court of Justice has mandated Israel to take all necessary measures within its authority to prevent genocidal acts against Palestinians in Gaza.
The congresswoman stressed the gravity of using the term “genocide” in public discourse, indicating the substantial humanitarian concerns faced by Gazans.
Ocasio-Cortez and her progressive counterparts have faced criticism for drawing parallels between Israeli actions and Apartheid-era South Africa while expressing support for Palestinians.
Despite advocating for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, she has consistently condemned the actions of Hamas, underscoring her commitment to denouncing violence.
