Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is facing political and physical backlash after voting against a proposed amendment to cut U.S. aid to Israel’s Iron Dome. As reported by both the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and JNS.org, the New York Democrat’s vote drew criticism from parts of the political left and prompted vandalism at her district office in the Bronx.
Amendment fallout deepens progressive rift
On Friday, Ocasio-Cortez voted against an amendment to the 2026 defense appropriations bill that would have stripped $500 million from the Iron Dome missile defense system. The amendment was sponsored by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), both outspoken critics of U.S. military aid to Israel. The measure was overwhelmingly defeated in the House by a vote of 422–6.
While Ocasio-Cortez opposed the broader $832 billion appropriations bill, her vote against the Iron Dome amendment placed her at odds with some progressive allies. The Democratic Socialists of America, a former supporter, released a statement condemning her stance, saying, “An arms embargo means keeping all arms out of the hands of a genocidal military, no exceptions.”
Bronx office vandalized by local activists
On Sunday night, a group called the Boogie Down Liberation Front defaced Ocasio-Cortez’s Bronx headquarters with red paint and posters reading, “AOC Funds Genocide in Gaza,” JTA and JNS.org reported. The group later issued a statement saying they were tired of Bronx politicians “using us as a stepping stone for their own political careers.” Fellow New York Democrat Ritchie Torres, also supportive of Israel, was mentioned in the group’s critique.
At the time of publication, JNS.org noted that Ocasio-Cortez had not directly responded to the vandalism through her public channels.
AOC defends vote as opposing performative politics
In response to criticism, Ocasio-Cortez took to X (formerly Twitter), explaining that Greene’s amendment did not address the offensive weapons being used in Gaza and would only remove defensive capabilities. “Of course, I voted against it,” she wrote. “What it does do is cut off defensive Iron Dome capacities while allowing the actual bombs killing Palestinians to continue.”
She further argued that backing such amendments risked aligning with political actors she sees as disingenuous. “If you really believe that Marjorie Taylor Greene is an ally to Palestinians and a welcome part of your coalition,” she added, “you can have her.”
Iron Dome votes continue to stir controversy
As JTA reported, this isn’t the first time Ocasio-Cortez has drawn scrutiny for her position on the Iron Dome. In 2021, she initially supported removing $1 billion in funding from a separate bill but later voted “present” during the final floor vote. That decision also prompted criticism from progressive groups and confusion among constituents.
This latest incident underscores the ongoing tension among progressives over how to approach U.S. military aid to Israel — and how much political risk lawmakers are willing to absorb over it.
