AOC claps back at Fetterman over Israel comments: 'Bleak dunk attempt'
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., responded to Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., over what she called a "bleak dunk attempt" condemning her perspective on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The infamous "Squad" Democrat on Monday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of causing "the horrors" taking place in Gaza. Sen. Fetterman, a fierce supporter of Israel, responded Tuesday by saying the tragedy "is 100% on Hamas," which drew an additional response from Rep.Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday.
"I dunno man," she wrote. "I care about little kids dying. I care about human rights. I care that billions of US tax dollars' worth of weapons are carrying out unspeakable atrocities."
"I care enough for us to do better," she added. "Hope this bleak dunk attempt gets you whatever it is you're going for."
The exchange drew the attention of former CNN anchor Chris Cuomo.
"Make a case that doesn't ignorantly exclude that Israel has multiple major actors sworn to its destruction," he wrote. "Imagine if the LGBTQ+ community lived mostly in one place and several surrounding areas were actively trying to kill them. ALL."
"What constituency are you playing for where?" he asked. "Terror sympathizers? Worried [about] the UN potentially allowing terrorists to operate from demilitarized zones?"
The infighting is a microcosm of the larger divide within the Democratic Party over support of Israel. Former Rep. Peter Deutsch, a Democrat, announced this month he is backing former President Donald Trump due to his unapologetic pro-Israel stance.
"I feel very comfortable today publicly announcing that I'm endorsing Donald Trump to be reelected as president," he said on a press call. "I'm planning on voting for him on November 5th. I take this decision very, very seriously. I also feel 100% comfortable with this decision."
"I think that Kamala Harris and the Harris-Biden administration, in terms of what they have done and what they are doing, make the world a dramatically less safe place," Deutsch added. "It's not just about what is happening in the Middle East, it's about the homeland."
Sen. Fetterman reaffirmed his support for Israel on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks, saying his stance is "not gonna change until everyone's brought back home and there's peace back in that region."
