Far-left Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez lashed out at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee late Tuesday, calling it a “racist and bigoted organization.”
The attacks by Bronx and Queens Democrats came in response to AIPAC reprimanding Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), AOC and his allies in the so-called “Squad” for voting against a House resolution last week reaffirming US support for the Jewish state and condemning the terrorist group Hamas.
“AIPAC supports many Jan 6 rebels. They are no friend of American democracy,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X. “They are one of the more racist and bigoted PACs in Congress as well, disproportionately targeting members of color.
“They are extremist organizations that destabilize US democracy.”
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s allies in the Squad have been ranked by AIPAC in the past.AP
Massie was the only Republican to vote against the measure last week, joining 15 Democrats who either voted “No” or “Present.”
Ocasio-Cortez has previously called for a ceasefire and condemned the treatment of Palestinians as Israel seeks to quell the threat posed by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. He has also suggested Israel has committed war crimes in the conflict.
“More of the same lies & spin,” AIPAC responded Wednesday morning. “@AOC and Squad sum up: People who disagree with us are racist. AIPAC stands with pro-Israel Democrats and Republicans of all races, genders and backgrounds who support the US-Israel alliance. And we are against those who don’t, like you.”
Ocasio-Cortez wasn’t the only member of the “Squad” to launch at AIPAC.
Back in August, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) ripped the group as a “right-wing super PAC” funded by “dark money” — despite the fact that the group works with members of Congress from both parties.
“THIS IS IMMEDIATE,” said Omar’s campaign ad. “A right-wing Super PAC funded by millions of dollars in Dark Money spending is working around the clock to oust Ilhan from Congress in 2024.”
That same month, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) led a delegation of two dozen House Democrats on a trip to Israel sponsored by the American Israel Education Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization affiliated with AIPAC.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has long questioned US policy on Israel.Getty Images
In 2019, Omar posted “It’s all about baby Benjamin” on social media in response to a post about then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) moving to punish him for his position on Israel.
He later apologized for his remarks, but still works in opposition at AIPAC.
“Anti-Semitism is real and I am grateful to my Jewish allies and colleagues who educated me on the bitter history of anti-Semitism,” he said.
“At the same time, I reaffirm the problematic role of lobbyists in our politics, whether it’s AIPAC, the NRA or the fossil fuel industry. It has been too long and we must be ready to deal with it.”
You know who else hates it @AIPAC? Hamas.
It should come as no surprise to anyone that people like AOC would attack the largest bipartisan pro-Israel group in the US as a threat to our country.
The rise of antisemitism by the progressive left is a REAL threat to humanity. https://t.co/LG4EDZu2Y0
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) November 1, 2023
That March, then-Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke at AIPAC’s annual conference and declared, in an apparent blast at Omar and other House Democrats: “If you only care about the antisemitism coming from your political opponents , you are not fully committed to fighting antisemitism.”
AIPAC has reportedly been working to recruit primary challengers against members of the “Squad,” many of whom come from blue counties.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) also slammed Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday for her attacks on AIPAC.
“You know who else hates @AIPAC? Hamas. It should come as no surprise to anyone that people like AOC would attack the largest bipartisan pro-Israel group in the US as a threat to our country,” he wrote. “The rise of antisemitism by the progressive left is REALLY a threat to humanity.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is welcomed to the stage by American Israel Public Affairs Committee president Michael Tuchin in June.Getty Images
Founded in 1963, AIPAC claims to have more than 100,000 members and 17 regional offices in addition to its headquarters in Washington, DC.
Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel triggered the Jewish state’s first declaration of war in 50 years, the left wing of the Democratic Party has been divided over the response of the Biden administration — which has largely been one of support for Israel’s efforts to eradicate the terrorist group.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
