Speaking during a recent interview on CNN, far-left Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez indicated that she wants to bring Palestinian refugees to the United States, even after the host clarified that over a million refugees could be involved in the resettlement scheme.
That came during an interview with CNN’s Abby Phillip, who asked her about both what she thinks America should do as regards the refugees likely to flee Gaza when the Israeli military rolls in, and about the call for a ceasefire that she and her colleagues issued after the initial Hamas attack and Israeli air raids.
Phillip, asking AOC about who she thinks is responsible for the Gazan refugees, with the number of them potentially approaching a million, asked, “Should Arab countries be taking on the lion’s share of the burden to absorb what could be over a million, if not more, refugees from Gaza?”
AOC, in response, said, “I think there’s something to be said about the region’s partners being able to support and step up for Palestinians. However, that does not abdicate the United States from our historic role that we’ve played in the world of accepting refugees and allowing people to restart their lives here.”
Watch that here:
Phillip also pressed AOC on the call for a ceasefire she issued alongside other Democrats, asking, “As all of this kind of kicked off, you and several others of your colleagues released a statement calling on for a ceasefire in the region. But, I wonder, what is Israel supposed to do about Hamas after they’ve murdered, brutalized, abducted over a thousand of their citizens. Are they supposed to just do nothing?”
AOC, in response, claimed, “Well, I think what is important to note about a ceasefire is that it’s not one-sided. Hamas has been sending thousands of rockets into Israel as well. And what is important for us to identify our goal in terms of what safety means, in terms of what defense means. And I think it —”
Phillip, cutting her off, fired back, “But, if I may, Congresswoman, I think the position from Israel’s perspective is that there is already an attack and Hamas already committed an attack. After that happened, do you really believe that they should not respond to that?”
AOC then accused Israel of embarking on a policy of “collective punishment” for the Palestinians, saying, “I think what is important, in terms of response, is Israel does have a right to self-defense. I think what we need to take a look at in this situation is if collective punishment qualifies as defense, if the blockade on water, food, electricity, if the dropping of white phosphorus, which is an indiscriminate weapon, qualifies. So, I do believe that there is a discussion to be had here. I don’t believe that an either/or approach is what is necessary, but we should identify what our goal, is which is the cooling of tensions in the region.”
Phillip then said, “Well, Israel’s goal is to rid the region of Hamas. They have been very clear about that. And I certainly take what you are saying about the condition of Gaza right now for civilians who, as you point out, are not synonymous with Hamas. But for Israel to deal with Hamas, which is a force that is actually detrimental to Palestinians, how else are they supposed to address a violent militant, some say a terrorist group, other than to go in there and take them on directly?”
AOC then tried to say both that she wants a cease fire and that she thinks Hamas needs to be dealt with, saying, “Well, when we talk about going in there, I think we should also keep in mind President Biden’s statements as well about what the implications of a potential ground invasion would be. This is an inherently complex situation. I do believe that Hamas needs to be dealt with.”
Phillip pressed her on how the two aren’t contradictory, asking, “But how, I think, is what I’m trying to understand.” AOC, attempting to explain it away, said, “And I think what we’re trying to figure out right now is that this present situation of collective punishment and indiscriminate attack is one approach. But we are seeing that the issues and the complications of that approach now, can we target them in terms of intelligence? Is there precision? What are the options available are entirely up to the administration and for Israel to examine and explore.”
Watch that here:
In the ceasefire statement, AOC said, “Today is devastating for all those seeking a lasting peace and respect for human rights in Israel and Palestine. I condemn Hamas’ attack in the strongest possible terms. No child and family should ever endure this kind of violence and fear, and this violence will not solve the ongoing oppression and occupation in the region. An immediate ceasefire and de-escalation is urgently needed to save lives.”
