Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez receives ‘death threats’ after fury over her refusal to defund Israel

A campaign office belonging to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was vandalized with anti-Israel messages in the Bronx, New York, as tensions rise over her recent vote on Israel’s defense funding.

According to Politico, the incident involved red paint being splattered on the building’s exterior, along with a message reading “AOC funds genocide in Gaza” written on a sign outside the office. The New York Police Department has started an investigation, though no arrests have been made yet.

Campaign manager Oliver Hidalgo-Wohlleben said the office has received “multiple threats on the Congresswoman’s life” in recent days, and they are working with security partners to ensure the safety of AOC, staff members, and volunteers.

Democratic Socialists of America condemns AOC’s vote on Israel funding

The threats and vandalism came after Ocasio-Cortez voted against an amendment proposed by Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has a history of controversial and embarrassing political statements. The amendment would have cut funding for Israel’s missile defense systems, but AOC chose to oppose it despite her previous criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

This decision sparked strong criticism from progressive groups, particularly the Democratic Socialists of America, whose growing influence in progressive politics has drawn attacks from far-right figures. The organization released a statement expressing disappointment in AOC’s vote, saying her acknowledgment of what they call genocide in Gaza makes her support for military aid “disappointing and incongruous.”

Ocasio-Cortez defended her position on social media, explaining that simply cutting Israel’s defense funding without addressing the broader military campaign would not help end the conflict. She stated her focus remains on reducing U.S. munitions that she believes are being used against Gaza.

The congresswoman has consistently criticized Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, even calling it a “genocide.” However, she ultimately voted against both Greene’s amendment and the final defense spending bill, maintaining that her goal is to find effective ways to end the conflict rather than just cutting defense systems.