Rep. Jared Moskowitz engaged in a social media spat with his Democratic colleague Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, which led to Moskowitz liking a post from actor Michael Rapaport that questioned the Hebrew translation for “F— Off Lady.” Moskowitz later unliked the post, but the exchange began when he criticized Sen. Bernie Sanders for complaining about being blocked from voting on an amendment regarding aid to Israel, calling out Sanders for remaining quiet about anti-Semitism. Ocasio-Cortez defended Sanders, highlighting his Jewish values and commitment to helping others, leading to a back-and-forth between Moskowitz and Ocasio-Cortez regarding their family histories and values related to the Israel and Gaza aid issue.
Moskowitz, who is Jewish, shared that his family was also killed in the Holocaust and justified his support for aid to Israel and Gaza based on the values instilled in him by his family. Despite their differences of opinion, Moskowitz called for mutual respect between him and Ocasio-Cortez, urging them to be better than engaging in public disagreements. The two representatives serve on the House Oversight Committee and have clashed over various issues, including the impeachment probe targeting President Biden and diverging views on Israel, with Moskowitz being a staunch defender of Israel while Ocasio-Cortez has been critical of Israel, even labeling its actions against Hamas as a “genocide.”
The House recently passed a $26.38 billion aid package that includes assistance for both Israel and the Palestinians, which was later passed by the Senate along with aid to Ukraine and Taiwan, as well as a TikTok divestment measure. President Biden signed the bill into law. Ocasio-Cortez voted against the Israel aid package in the House, while Sanders voted against the combined bill in the Senate. Moskowitz has been vocal in his criticism of Republicans who voted against the Ukraine aid package, even expressing willingness to support House Speaker Mike Johnson in case of a mutiny from Republicans for bringing up the Ukraine aid vote to the floor.
Moskowitz’s involvement in the Israel aid debate highlights the internal divisions within the Democratic Party on the issue, as some members support aid to Israel while others criticize its actions. The tension between Moskowitz and Ocasio-Cortez underscores the challenges faced by Democrats in navigating differing views on foreign policy and Israel among party members. While both representatives have strong convictions about their positions, the public disagreement on social media reveals the complexities of navigating discussions on sensitive issues such as Israel and Gaza aid within the party.
The exchange between Moskowitz and Ocasio-Cortez sheds light on the broader debate within the Democratic Party regarding its stance on Israel, with some members advocating for continued support while others push for a more critical approach. The differing opinions among Democratic representatives reflect the diverse viewpoints within the party and the challenges of finding common ground on complex foreign policy issues. Despite the disagreements, both Moskowitz and Ocasio-Cortez continue to serve on important committees and engage in debates on critical legislative matters, showcasing the diversity of perspectives within the Democratic Party and the ongoing efforts to find consensus on key policy issues.
