President Joe Biden met with U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and two other prominent liberal lawmakers on Monday to discuss their opposition to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Gaza bombing campaign. The meeting, which took place in the Oval Office, comes as Biden’s support for Israel’s response to the recent Hamas attack has divided Democrats and strained his voter base ahead of the upcoming presidential election.
Ocasio-Cortez, along with Senators Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey, have been vocal critics of Israel’s policies, with Ocasio-Cortez even going as far as describing the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “an unfolding genocide.” Despite their differences, Ocasio-Cortez recently expressed her support for Biden’s reelection, emphasizing the importance of protecting democracy both domestically and globally.
During the meeting, Biden acknowledged Ocasio-Cortez’s influence, stating, “I learned a long time ago to listen to that lady.” The White House and the lawmakers declined to comment on the specifics of their discussion, but Biden has previously condemned antisemitic protests while also expressing concern for the Palestinian humanitarian crisis.
The conflict between Israel and Gaza escalated after Hamas militants attacked Israel, resulting in casualties on both sides. As the violence continues, human rights advocates have reported a rise in bias and hate incidents against Jews, Arabs, and Muslims. With the Jewish holiday of Passover approaching, there is heightened concern for the safety and well-being of all those affected by the ongoing conflict.