AOC joins Rabbis For Ceasefire with 5-point agenda, but Internet says there's only one that's absolutely essential
WASHINGTON, DC: Democratic Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez doubled down on her calls for a ceasefire in Gaza as she joined the Jewish 'Rabbis for Ceasefire' group at a rally in Washington, DC on Monday, November 13.
At the rally, the 37-year-old NY Rep was accompanied by several other Congress members including Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Cori Bush (D-MO).
The group previously signed a resolution, urging the Biden administration to "call for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire in Israel and occupied Palestine, to send humanitarian aid to Gaza and to save as many lives as possible.”
Israel has been pounding Gaza in retaliation for Hamas’ brutal October 7 attack, where the Palestinian militant organization bombarded nearly 2000 missiles on the Jewish state and killed more than 1400 people.
What did AOC say at the Rabbis For Ceasefire rally?
At the rally, Ocasio-Cortez started by discussing how her upbringing with Jewish friends left a major impact on her life. “The Jewish families, my Jewish friends, my Jewish community that I grew up with, taught me growing up, how they shaped me,” the rep said.
“It is that the second, unconditional centering and value of all human dignity and life is one of the most Jewish things in the world, and the idea that calling for a ceasefire would somehow be antisemitic is actually so upside down,” she continued.
Grateful to have joined Rabbis for Ceasefire tonight.
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) November 14, 2023
Ceasefire means release the hostages.
Ceasefire means stop the bombardment.
Ceasefire means defend the innocent.
Ceasefire means transcend cycles of violence.
Ceasefire is not just an option. It is our only way out of this. pic.twitter.com/8onOHvSUij
She then continued by emphasizing what a ceasefire in the Middle East truly means. “What ceasefire means. Ceasefire means releasing the hostages. Yes, all the hostages. Ceasefire means, stop the bombardment now yes, ceasefire means to defend the innocent,” she claimed.
Ocasio-Cortez added, “Ceasefire means transcend cycles of violence to me. In that sense, the ceasefire is not just real politics, it is spiritual. We are being called to be higher than our history.”
“Yes, the ceasefire is not just an option, it is our only way out of this ceasefire. [This] means there is no military solution, only a diplomatic and cultural solution, a relational solution, a reckoning with ourselves and our history. That is what ceasefire now means,” she concluded.
Internet reacts to AOC’s remarks
Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks have garnered immense social media attention, with users stating that there's only one agenda that's absolutely essential.
“But it’s not the only way out. The other way is for Hamas to surrender unconditionally and release all the hostages,” one user said.
“Can it mean Hamas terrorists turn themselves in or do you see them as freedom fighters and not terrorists?” another asked.
“1. Release the hostages,” the third user mentioned while a fourth asserted, “Ceasefire means - there has to be something in it for both sides.”
“Release the HOSTAGES and LEAVE GAZA FOREVER!” a user fumed. “No, the only answer for long-term peace is for Hamas to unconditionally surrender. Period,” another said.
“Ceasefire means more Palestinians and Israelis die in the future. Your District deserves better,” someone else wrote.
Ceasefire means more Palestinians and Israelis die in the future. Your District deserves better.
— C. t. M. (@carnac_t_m) November 14, 2023
No, the only answer for long term peace is for Hamas to unconditionally surrender. Period
— Julie A Keller 🇺🇸🇮🇱🇺🇦 (@JulieAKeller3) November 14, 2023
Ceasefire means - there has to be something in it for both sides.
— Gadsden (@Gadsden71188567) November 14, 2023
Can it mean Hamas terrorists turn themselves in or do you see them as freedom fighters and not terrorists?
— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) November 14, 2023
But it’s not the only way out. The other way is for Hamas to surrender unconditionally and release all the hostages.
— Maggie Melo🇨🇦🇺🇸🇵🇹 🟩⬜️🟪 (@MaggieMelo93292) November 14, 2023