House Dems visit Israel despite AOC's claims it 'cages' Palestinian kids

Fourteen House Democrats visited Israel on Monday and expressed their support of the Jewish state – one week after Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) angered Jewish leaders by suggesting Israel ‘caged’ Palestinian children.

AOC’s New York City peers were among the attendees, including Reps. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), and Ritchie Torres (D-NY).

“Today, I’m in Israel with@RepPeteAguilar and@RepJeffries – to reaffirm our support for a critical U.S. ally, and to continue learning about the opportunities and challenges facing Israel and the Middle East,” Espaillat, co-chairman of the Latino-Jewish caucus, wrote on an Instagram selfie at the Wailing Wall.

Today, I’m in Israel with @RepPeteAguilar and @RepJeffries — to reaffirm our support for a critical U.S. ally, and to continue learning about the opportunities and challenges facing Israel and the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/GTKJLFvmsX

— Adriano Espaillat (@RepEspaillat) February 21, 2022

“BDS is a fringe movement that fails to represent the overwhelming majority of Americans,” said Torres, referring to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel. “Our message is clear: the United States is and will always be a friend of Israel.”

The visit comes days after Ocasio-Cortez claimed Israel caged Palestinians kids at a rally held by the Democratic Socialists of America, who support the BDS movement.

“I don’t believe that a child should be in a cage on our border, and I don’t believe a child should be in a cage in the West Bank,” AOC said at the event for Texas Democratic candidates.

The comments drew criticism from the Queens Jewish Community Council in Ocasio-Cortez’s own district, who said her inflammatory comments only fuel antisemites.

“AOC is always asking for the `other side’ to understand her positions and that of the DSA and the BDS followers who wish to eliminate Israel from the Middle East map,” said Michael Nussbaum, president of the Jewish community center. “If you wish to have a real discussion, the Queens Jewish Community Council is willing to engage you in an honest and open conversation.’’

The anti-Israel comments and actions of the progressive “Squad” has put them at odds with establishment Democrats. They clashed in September over funding for Israel’s “Iron Dome” missile defense system against Palestinian rocket attacks.