On Monday, a group of anti-Israel activists confronted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and her fianc, Riley Roberts, at a Brooklyn movie theater.
The activists demanded that the congresswoman label the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza as a "genocide."
Footage captured on a cell phone shows the activists confronting the congresswoman outside the theater. "You refuse to call it a genocide," they can be heard saying to Ocasio-Cortez.
Ocasio-Cortez, who has previously faced accusations of antisemitism due to her comments on the Middle East crisis, responded to the protesters, "I need you to understand that this is not okay."
The activist retorted, "Its not okay that theres a genocide happening and youre not actively against it."
"Youre lying!" Ocasio-Cortez countered.
As the congresswoman and her fianc descended an escalator, the activists continued to press her to label the conflict as a genocide. "If you cant say it, just say it. Literally. Were just talking to you like normal people. Just say its a genocide. Just say it.
The activist, using unverified casualty figures from the conflict, added, Over 30,000 people are dead AOC, you cant just say it for once? Just say the word, thats it. Thats all we want you to say."
As Ocasio-Cortez and Roberts exited the building, the activists continued to follow and berate them. Roberts asked them to stop, while Ocasio-Cortez continued walking ahead.
One activist asked if the congresswoman was concerned that the video would "go viral."
Ocasio-Cortez turned to confront the activist, alleging that the protesters would edit the video to take her comments "completely out of context."
The congresswoman then appeared to agree with the activists' assertion that Israel is committing a genocide.
"I already said that it was. And yall are just gonna pretend that it wasnt. Over and over again. Its f*cked up man. And youre not helping these people. Youre not helping them."
Following the October 7 massacre of over 1,200 civilians and the kidnapping of over 250 more, Ocasio-Cortez has continued to criticize Israel for its defense against Hamas and its offensive in Gaza against terrorist strongholds.
She has accused Israel of committing war crimes and suggested that the US should condition aid to the Netanyahu government, if not cut it entirely. No evidence has been provided to support these allegations.
Ocasio-Cortez faced ridicule on social media for her heated response to the activists, with some users referencing a tweet she posted in 2020 that read, The whole point of protesting is to make ppl uncomfortable.
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