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By: Hal C Clarke
During a recent interview on “Meet the Press,” Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) avoided directly addressing a question from NBC’s Kristen Welker about whether describing Israel’s military actions as “genocide” was an exaggeration. Ocasio-Cortez has been a vocal critic of Israel’s military strategy, condemning what she refers to as “gross violations of human rights” in Gaza, likening them to “war crimes.” This sentiment is shared by fellow “Squad” member Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), who accused the Biden administration of supporting genocide by endorsing Israel’s military operation in Gaza.
The ongoing debate surrounding the use of the term “genocide” in relation to Israel’s actions prompted Welker to question Ocasio-Cortez about her stance. When asked whether she agrees with the characterization of President Biden as supporting genocide, a term that some pro-Palestinian activists have attributed to him, Ocasio-Cortez sidestepped the question. Instead, she highlighted the recent decision by the United Nations’ International Court of Justice, which stated that Israel has a responsibility to prevent genocide. Ocasio-Cortez emphasized that the term is still under investigation, but the mere inclusion of it in the discourse highlights the severity of the situation faced by Gazans.
Despite the controversial use of the term “genocide,” Ocasio-Cortez justified its inclusion in public discourse by citing polling data indicating that a significant number of Americans express concern about the situation. She argued that using the term should not lead to the exclusion of individuals from public discourse.
Ocasio-Cortez further expressed her belief that the Netanyahu government has lost public support, pointing to a responsibility to protect the human rights of both Gazans and hostages in the region. She specifically mentioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in this context.
In November, the White House pushed back against the use of the chant “Genocide Joe” by pro-Palestinian protesters directed at President Biden. The administration argued that characterizing Biden in this way was inaccurate, stating that Israel’s military actions did not aim to “wipe the Palestinian people off the map.”
Biden, in the midst of brokering a deal for a prolonged pause in fighting to facilitate the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, faces the challenge of balancing international concerns with domestic political considerations as he seeks re-election in November.
Ocasio-Cortez’s comments were initially reported by Mediaite, adding another layer to the ongoing discourse surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the language used to describe it.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also , expressed her belief that President Biden could enhance his chances of re-election by focusing more on promoting his vision rather than solely criticizing former President Trump. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press” with host Kristen Welker, Ocasio-Cortez suggested that Biden should adopt a more assertive stance on issues such as providing free healthcare and college education for Americans. While acknowledging some positive steps taken by Biden, such as his commitment to safeguard abortion protections, Ocasio-Cortez indicated that there is room for improvement in communicating and advancing the Democrats’ broader vision, particularly in areas like healthcare.
