Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) joined fellow lawmakers in calling for urgent congressional action to block U.S. weapons transfers to Israel, citing devastating humanitarian consequences in Gaza and the need to uphold U.S. law. Speaking alongside colleagues including Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Delia Ramirez, Sara Jacobs, and Jamaal Bowman, she framed the issue as both a moral and legal responsibility for the United States.
The congresswoman emphasized the staggering toll of the ongoing conflict, claiming that more than 64,000 people in Gaza have been killed and that nearly all hospitals have been destroyed. She said civilians face not only bombings but also starvation, with critical infrastructure shattered and medical care almost nonexistent. “The people of Gaza are stitching up their own wounds,” she said, highlighting the lack of doctors left to provide treatment.
Ocasio-Cortez placed direct responsibility on U.S. military support for Israel, arguing that American-made bombs have enabled much of the destruction. She pointed to existing U.S. laws, such as the Leahy Laws, which prohibit military assistance to foreign forces implicated in human rights violations or war crimes. According to her, Congress is failing to enforce its own statutes by allowing continued arms transfers.
“This is against United States law,” she stated. “Yet, our government—under both Democratic and Republican administrations—has chosen to continue sending American-made bombs to an administration carrying out a genocide.”
The congresswoman also criticized President Donald Trump, accusing him of refusing to challenge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies, which she argued have worsened conditions for Palestinians.
Her message was clear: Congress must step in where, in her view, the executive branch has failed. The legislation she and her colleagues are advancing seeks to halt bomb transfers to Israel and push for a diplomatic path toward peace. Ocasio-Cortez connected this push to broader goals, including securing the release of hostages and breaking what she described as a “cycle of violence.”
The press event also drew attention to grassroots voices, with New York activists, advocates, and public figures such as Cynthia Nixon appearing in support. The presence of community leaders, Ocasio-Cortez suggested, underscored widespread concern among constituents over U.S. involvement in the conflict.
She concluded her remarks with a call to action: “It is time for Congress to fulfill its obligations, to enforce our own laws, and to block the bombs.”
As the debate in Washington over military aid to Israel continues, her comments illustrate a growing divide in Congress. Some lawmakers strongly defend U.S. support for Israel as vital to an ally’s security, while others, like Ocasio-Cortez, are demanding stricter accountability and restrictions tied to humanitarian law.
Source: Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
