AOC breaks with ‘Squad’ to slam antisemitism at NYC rally

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) broke with her often-aligned group of hard-line progressive representatives Monday, denouncing “hatred and antisemitism” on display at a Sunday New York City rally that celebrated the recent terrorist attack on Israel by Hamas.

“It should not be hard to shut down hatred and antisemitism where we see it,” she told Politico. “That is a core tenet of solidarity.”

ISRAEL ORDERS ‘TOTAL SIEGE’ OF GAZA IN AFTERMATH OF UNPRECEDENTED TERROR ATTACK BY HAMAS

Saturday’s surprise attacks by Hamas, an Iran-supported terrorist organization that operates out of the Gaza Strip, killed hundreds of Israeli civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. Hamas also took soldiers and civilians as hostages. Israel declared war on the group following the unprecedented attacks.

On Sunday, supporters of the group rallied in New York’s Times Square to celebrate the fatal attack, many donning flags representing the Palestinian people.

“The bigotry and callousness expressed in Times Square on Sunday were unacceptable and harmful in this devastating moment. It also did not speak for the thousands of New Yorkers who are capable of rejecting both Hamas’ horrifying attacks against innocent civilians as well as the grave injustices and violence Palestinians face under occupation,” Ocasio-Cortez said.

Her response draws a stark contrast between herself and her fellow “Squad” members, a nicknamed grouping of a handful of progressive Democratic House representatives.

Several within the group have been criticized for their statements on the Hamas attacks, which called for deescalation and placed the blame on Israel for “occupation” and “apartheid.” Specifically, on social media, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) posted a plea for the United States to stop “unconditional weapons sales and military aid to Israel,” asking it to instead “push for peace.”

During the Sunday rally, one pro-Hamas demonstrator reportedly told Israeli counterprotesters, “We’re going to liberate Palestine.”

“We already liberated parts of it already. So get ready to get barbecued,” they added.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The event was promoted by the Democratic Socialists of America chapter in New York, although it said it did not organize it. Ocasio-Cortez is also a member of the DSA party.

Other DSA members in Congress include Reps. Omar, Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Cori Bush (D-MO), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), and Greg Casar (D-TX).