Overview
- Ocasio-Cortez, who told NYC-DSA members Tuesday she would vote no on any Israel arms funding including defensive systems, had a spokesperson confirm the pledge to CNN.
- The stance marks a shift from her earlier view that treated defensive aid differently, including a 2021 “present” vote on Iron Dome funding and opposition last year to a GOP bid to cut that system.
- She also said she will oppose writing the IHRA definition of antisemitism into law, a definition critics argue can label sharp criticism of Israel as antisemitic.
- The comments came during a DSA endorsement forum after nearly 300 NYC-DSA members pressed her to reject all Israel aid, with the group’s online vote set to close April 6.
- City & State first reported the remarks from a partial recording later echoed by Jewish Insider and JTA, and CNN added her written statement citing the Leahy law and saying Israel can fund Iron Dome itself.