Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is known for her anti-Israel stance, has been meeting for the first time with Jewish leaders in her constituency – 14th congressional district – in New York, Israel Hayom has learned from sources involved in the matter.
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AOC held several meetings with rabbis and leaders, men and women, belonging to the liberal end of the Jewish community spectrum, with some closely affiliated with J Street.
Although the exact subject of the meeting is unknown, one of the sources said Ocasio-Cortez mostly listened to what participants had to say and avoided addressing her anti-Israel stance.
Video: President Isaac Herzog reciting a prayer at Congress. Credit: GPO
AOC is a member of the so-called "Squad," an eight-member group of the most progressive and left-wing members of the United States Congress known for their hostility toward Israel. However, contrary to her fellow "Squad" members, such as Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, AOC is less vocal about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
She also abstained in the past from voting on funding for Israel's Iron Dome, compared to other "Squad" members who voted against the move. AOC was harshly criticized by the Left for abstaining, after which she said her abstention was a mistake.
Since breaking into politics in 2018, AOC avoided any kind of contact with Jewish leaders and Israeli representatives. She never before responded to requests to meet nor accepted to be interviewed by local Jewish media.
Sources estimated the change stemmed from AOC's possible plans to run for a seat on behalf of New York in the Senate in place of Majority Leader of the Senate Chuck Schumer, who currently enjoys the support of most of the city's Jewish communities, including the right-wing Orthodox.
Israel Hayom reached out to AOC's office for comment but received no response.
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