The Influence of Antisemitism on the Progressive Movement according to AOC

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, a member of “the Squad” of extreme left-leaning House Democrats, expressed on Monday that antisemitism is undermining the “progressive community.”

Ocasio-Cortez, known for her criticism of Israel’s military operation against Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, made these remarks during an online discussion on antisemitism and the “fight for democracy” hosted by X with Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and Stacy Burdett, a former staffer at the Anti-Defamation League.

“Antisemitism is an assault on our values as Americans, and especially as progressives,” she stated, as reported by The Hill. “Antisemitism is also a threat to a community that is a vital partner in our struggles against injustice. So when the Jewish community is threatened, the progressive movement is undermined.”

Ocasio-Cortez has faced criticism herself for making antisemitic remarks, including a now-deleted Christmas Eve message drawing parallels between Jesus’ persecutors and present-day Israel, which invoked the historic charge that Jews killed Jesus.

She also defended her fellow Squad members Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who have faced their own controversies related to antisemitism.

Ocasio-Cortez stressed that “criticism of the Israeli government is not inherently antisemitic, and criticism of Zionism is not automatically antisemitism,” acknowledging the complex relationship between antisemitism and anti-Zionism.

While recognizing the rise of antisemitism in the U.S., Ocasio-Cortez also highlighted the misuse of accusations of antisemitism against people of color and women of color by dishonest political actors.

X CEO Spitalnick emphasized the importance of unity among communities and the need to overcome divisions that exclude certain groups, such as American Jews with ties to Israel, from progressive spaces.

In a social media post on X, Ocasio-Cortez criticized the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for allegedly influencing Democrat primaries in favor of moderates over progressives.