Ocasio-Cortez reportedly says she will no longer support defensive aid to Israel

US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York said she will no longer vote in favor of funding defensive aid to Israel, according to a report in City & State.

US defensive military aid to Israel supports missile defense programs, such as Iron Dome, which protect Israeli civilians.

Ocasio-Cortez, one of the most prominent political figures on the US left, made the comments in a private meeting with the far-left New York City Democratic Socialists of America, City & State reports.

At the meeting, an attendee asked Ocasio-Cortez, “Will you commit to voting ‘no’ for any spending on arms for Israel, including so-called ‘defensive capabilities?'”

“Yes,” she responded, according to the report.

Ocasio-Cortez had previously opposed offensive weapons to Israel, but not defensive systems, drawing criticism from the left.

In 2021, Ocasio-Cortez voted “present” during a vote to fund Iron Dome, rather than opposing.

Ocasio-Cortez also said she will oppose the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, City & State reports, citing three DSA members who were at the meeting.

The definition covers some forms of Israel criticism, while stating that it is not antisemitic to criticize Israel if that criticism is similar to comments against other countries.