Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez just drew a new line on Israel: no more US weapons money, including for the Iron Dome. The New York Democrat said Wednesday she will oppose all US military assistance to Israel, arguing the country "is well able to fund the Iron Dome system" itself and that she will not back "sending more taxpayer dollars and military aid to a government that consistently ignores international law and US law." The move marks a shift from her earlier carveout for Israel's missile-defense shield and puts her to the left of most Democratic leaders and possible 2028 presidential contenders, NBC News reports. Her announcement followed a virtual forum with New York City's Democratic Socialists of America, which has pushed her to oppose all Israel funding as a condition of local endorsement.
NYC-DSA leaders said they were "heartened" and called the move in line with their long-standing position as they weigh backing her reelection. As City & State notes, AOC won't need much help to get reelected, but both she and DSA are likely looking ahead to the presidential race, whether AOC runs or not: "[A]ny rift between NYC-DSA and its most famous member could undermine left unity going into 2028." Other progressives, including Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, already oppose Iron Dome funding; on Wednesday, Rep. Ro Khanna said Israel should pay for the missile defense system itself. The debate comes amid falling US public support for Israel and growing Democratic splits over the Gaza war and human-rights concerns. But CNN reports some are still struggling with where to land; California Gov. Gavin Newsom, for example, recently had to backtrack after calling Israel "sort of an apartheid state."
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