The incident unfolded on a cold Monday night in New York City when police were called to the campaign office of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, where vandals had left a stark and provocative anti-Israel message. The red-painted slogan, ‘AOC funds genocide in Gaza,’ was etched across the entrance, a clear reference to Ocasio-Cortez’s public criticism of the Israeli military’s actions in the region. The attack, which occurred just days after Ocasio-Cortez voted against a Republican amendment proposing to cut funding for the Iron Dome defense system, highlights the escalating tensions between progressive and conservative factions in Congress over U.S. foreign policy and support for Israel.
The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and supported by other progressive lawmakers including Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, aimed to reduce American funding for Israel’s missile defense systems. However, Ocasio-Cortez argued that the measure was insufficient, as it failed to address the broader humanitarian concerns and the actual use of weapons in Gaza. “Israel bombed the Catholic Church in Gaza, and that entire population is being wiped out as they continue their aggressive war in Gaza,” Greene stated, emphasizing her position that the United States should not provide such large-scale financial support for a government that she believes is perpetuating violence.
The vandalism appears to be a direct consequence of these political disagreements, with Ocasio-Cortez’s office becoming a target for those who disagree with her stance on Israel. The episode has drawn attention to the broader political landscape, where the U.S. government’s role in supporting Israel remains a contentious issue, particularly among Democratic lawmakers who are increasingly vocal about the humanitarian impact of the conflict.
Meanwhile, the international community has voiced concerns over the attack on the Catholic church in Gaza. Pope Leo XIV expressed profound sadness and called for a ceasefire, highlighting the global implications of the conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that ‘stray ammunition’ had struck the church, a statement that has been met with skepticism by some human rights organizations. These incidents continue to fuel the complex debate over the role of external powers in regional conflicts and the ethical considerations of military intervention.