AOC calls Netanyahu a ‘war criminal’ and says he should not speak to Congress

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (DN.Y.) sharply criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s upcoming speech to Congress next month, calling him a “war criminal” and accusing him of having no respect for U.S. laws.

Political leaders of both parties in the House and Senate have invited Netanyahu to address Congress on July 24, a renewed show of support for the longtime wartime ally despite growing political divisions over Israel’s military attack on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, as well as Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic House Majority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, signed the letter inviting Netanyahu, saying the offer was intended to “highlight America’s solidarity with Israel.”

However, not all members of Congress are in favor of the visit, including Ocasio-Cortez.

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“This man should not be speaking to Congress. He is a war criminal,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a post on X. “And he certainly has no respect for U.S. laws that are specifically designed to prevent U.S. weapons from facilitating human rights abuses. His invitation should be revoked. It should never have been sent.”

The congressman and other progressive Democrats in the “troop” are furious that their leaders agreed to invite Netanyahu to speak to Congress.

The invitation sparked backlash from the left, where a growing number of Democrats have criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza in retaliation for the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel.

The controversy took on new significance last month when International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan announced he would seek arrest warrants against senior Israeli and Hamas officials, including Netanyahu.

“SQUAD” DEMS ANGRY ABOUT NETANYAHU’S INVITATION TO CONGRESS: “ACCUSED AS A WAR CRIMINAL”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (DN.Y.) turned to X on Tuesday night, calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a war criminal. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

“Instead of coming here, we need Netanyahu to stop the indiscriminate bombings in Gaza and to honor the president’s red line of no more military operations in Rafah,” Texas Rep. Greg Casar told Fox News Digital earlier this month. “I don’t think it’s a good time for him to come.”

When asked if he planned to attend the speech, Casar said: “I do not plan to attend. But I will participate in all lobbying efforts aimed at getting Netanyahu and Hamas to agree to a ceasefire.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to Ocasio-Cortez for comment.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited by congressional leaders to speak before the U.S. Congress next month, despite opposition from some who consider him a war criminal. (Sebastian Scheiner/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Earlier this month, she told reporters that Netanyahu’s visit would not be “productive.”

“Not only does it make little sense, but it’s obviously, in my opinion, unproductive. I think it’s counterproductive for him to be speaking to Congress right now, especially as we continue to try to finalize details on the ceasefire,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “I certainly don’t agree with it and I may not attend.”

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Netanyahu’s visit to the Capitol also comes at a time when relations between President Joe Biden and the leader of the Jewish state have deteriorated in recent months.

Biden criticized Netanyahu’s handling of the war both privately and publicly and accused the Israeli government of not allowing any more humanitarian aid to reach Gaza.

Elizabeth Elkind of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.