AOC faces backlash for asserting 'people of color' are victims of 'false accusations of antisemitism'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) ran into controversy when she claimed that people of color are at times falsely accused of antisemitism by "political actors," during an online livestream which she hosted over the social media platform X on Monday, June 10.

Titled 'Antisemitism and the Fight for Democracy,' the event has the progressive 'Squad' member admit to the rise of antisemitic sentiments since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, reported Fox News.

AOC's comments on the live stream 

"Antisemitism, hate, and violence against Jews because of their identity is real, and it is dangerous," said Ocasio-Cortez on the stream, noting, "It is also important to say here at this moment and during that conversation that criticism of the Israeli government is not inherently antisemitic and criticism of Zionism is not automatically antisemitic."

"That being true does not mean that we should not recognize ... when that criticism crosses a line into real harm against our Jewish community," she continued.

"Antisemitism is an assault on our values as Americans and especially as progressives. Antisemitism is also a threat to a community that is a vital partner in our struggles against injustice. So, when the Jewish community is threatened, the progressive movement is undermined. That is why we reject it as fiercely as we reject and look for misogyny, Islamophobia, or any form of bigotry or discrimination in any space that we occupy."

"Right now, antisemitism is on the rise in America and across the world. Acknowledging that fact does not take away from fights for liberation, it actually advances them," expressed the Congresswoman. "At the same time, it is also true that accusations and false accusations of antisemitism are wielded against people of color and women of color by bad-faith political actors."

"And weaponizing antisemitism is used to divide us and create a false choice between the fight for Jewish safety and the calls for Palestinian self-determination. Defending and standing for the rights of Palestinians is not antisemitic, and we must be able to identify when bad-faith political actors make accusations simply to divide us."

"People can disagree bitterly about Israel and Gaza, but it has felt that we’ve been at a point where even coming together to acknowledge and discuss any antisemitism at all can feel impossible," she added.

Internet slams AOC's remark on people of color

"AOC blames everything on racism because she doesn't have an intelligent argument," a user wrote on X responding to the Congresswoman's comment on colored people getting falsely blamed.

"False claims of antisemitism are wielded against all races," noted another.

"AOC makes absolutely NO SENSE," jibed a user.

"Amazing how she has an open avenue of being right and she clouds it with the lens of everything is racist," commented a user.

"AOC needs a new brand. Always referring to 'POC' is so 2020," mocked another user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.