URGENT UPDATE: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) has sparked intense backlash after alleging that U.S. aid to Israel enables genocide in Gaza during her speech at the Munich Security Conference on February 16, 2024. Her comments ignited outrage from military and international experts, who vehemently refuted her claims.
Ocasio-Cortez, speaking at the historic venue where Adolf Hitler rose to power, stated, “I think that the United States has an obligation to uphold its own laws, particularly the Leahy Laws.” She emphasized that unconditional aid contributes to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, asserting, “I think it enabled a genocide in Gaza.”
The Leahy Laws prohibit U.S. funding to foreign military units committing gross human rights violations. Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks come amid a devastating conflict that began with Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 fatalities and numerous kidnappings.
The backlash was swift. Tom Gross, an international affairs expert, criticized Ocasio-Cortez’s assertions, stating, “AOC has flown all the way to Munich… to smear the Jewish people further with a phony genocide allegation.” He condemned her comments as a dangerous form of antisemitism that undermines her credibility for future political ambitions.
Military historians are also challenging the congresswoman’s claims. Danny Orbach, a military historian from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, stated, “Ocasio-Cortez’s accusation is incorrect both factually and legally.” He highlighted that under the Genocide Convention, proof of a specific intent to destroy a protected group is required, which is not evident in Israel’s actions.
Orbach further explained that Israel has taken significant measures to protect civilians, including establishing humanitarian safe zones and facilitating the entry of over two million tons of aid during the conflict. He stated, “These measures were taken despite Hamas’s systematic use of human shields.”
Critics on social media joined the fray, with conservative commentator Derek Hunter remarking, “Imagine going to Germany to complain about a fake genocide by Jews… in Munich, of all places.” The international condemnation reflects a broader concern over misinformation and the sensitive historical context of genocide.
Germany itself rejected the claims of genocide against Israel in December 2024, standing in solidarity with U.S. positions. The political ramifications of Ocasio-Cortez’s statements continue to unfold as her comments resonate globally, raising questions about U.S. foreign policy and humanitarian responsibilities.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on the responses from both political leaders and international organizations regarding U.S. military aid and its implications for human rights. The discourse surrounding this issue is expected to intensify in the lead-up to the upcoming elections, making it crucial for stakeholders to monitor ongoing developments.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.
