Pro-Palestinian heckler calls Democrat AOC a ‘war criminal’ at town hall

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is heckled by a pro-Palestinian protester at a constituent event, asking her what she was doing about the “genocide in Gaza” and calling her a “war criminal.”

“I am a health care worker, and I want to know what you’re doing about the genocide in Gaza,” the female protester says at the Jackson Heights, Queens town hall.

The woman repeatedly says “shame on you,” and calls the US congresswoman a “liar” and a “war criminal.”

Some members of the crowd verbally clashed with the protester, trying to drown her out and get her to leave.

“I more than welcome people who disagree, or are super pissed off at me for any issue to come, but we have some ground rules here,” the congresswoman says, trying to calm the situation. “Please wait for the Q&A because we don’t want to deprive all of our neighbors of the ability to have information and hear them respond to it.”

Since the October 7 Hamas terror assault in southern Israel and the outbreak of war in Gaza, Ocasio-Cortez has called out antisemitism while becoming increasingly critical of Israel’s war effort.

Like the other members of the progressive “Squad” in Congress, she has accused Israel of perpetrating a “genocide” and committing atrocities in Gaza.

NOW: "You're a war criminal!" –
Pro-Palestine Heckler shouts as AOC holds Town Hall in Jackson Heights Queens, NYC. pic.twitter.com/92cE0ReYXD

— Oliya Scootercaster ???? (@ScooterCasterNY) May 2, 2025

JTA contributed to this report.