NewsNation host Chris Cuomo took Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) to task over her comments condemning Israel’s recent operation targeting Hezbollah militants. AOC criticized Israel’s use of explosive-laden pagers to eliminate high-ranking Hezbollah officials, accusing the country of committing war crimes, which Cuomo sharply refuted during his show on Friday evening.
The operation, which took place earlier in the week, involved Israel rigging pagers with plastic explosives and detonating walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran. AOC’s social media posts expressed outrage, calling the attack a violation of international humanitarian law and claiming that it undermined U.S. efforts to deescalate conflict in the region.
Cuomo, who previously clashed with AOC over the issue on social media, fact-checked the congresswoman, accusing her of making baseless claims. “She [Ocasio-Cortez] started by accusing Israel of a war crime for what they did to members of Hezbollah in Beirut and then asked for an investigation,” Cuomo said, reiterating her accusation. “Then she decided to get ‘truthy’ and claimed that the attack was ‘clearly’ in violation of U.S. policy and international law.”
Cuomo further pointed out the flaw in AOC’s logic by clarifying that U.S. laws do not apply to Israel’s military operations. “Israel is not one of the United States, so they don’t follow our laws or rules. Second, if the representative was suggesting that the United States should stop supporting Israel because of this, good luck with that,” Cuomo stated.
Misinterpretation of the Law
Cuomo also addressed AOC’s selective use of a Department of Defense manual on the law of war, noting that she left out critical information that undermined her argument. While AOC quoted sections related to the use of mines and booby traps, Cuomo pointed out that she neglected to include the following section, which clarifies that the use of such devices is permissible if it takes precautions to avoid civilian casualties.
“The rules include a prohibition against indiscriminate use of mines, booby traps, and other devices,” Cuomo read from the manual. “Indiscriminate means that all feasible precautions shall be taken to prevent civilians from the effects… including humanitarian and military considerations.”
Cuomo further explained that the law allows for improvised booby traps in certain circumstances, such as slowing an enemy’s advance. He emphasized that Hezbollah, a well-known terrorist organization, posed an imminent threat, which justified Israel’s actions under international law. “Did she not read that part because she’s not a lawyer or not thorough, or did she intentionally not want to be fair?” Cuomo asked. He suggested that AOC’s misrepresentation could either be due to negligence or a deliberate attempt to mislead.
Hypocrisy and Double Standards
In addition to criticizing AOC’s misinterpretation of the law, Cuomo also took issue with her selective outrage. While AOC condemned Israel’s actions and spoke out against recent vandalism at her office, Cuomo noted that she remained silent on threats against Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump.
“She had nothing to say about her colleague Anna Paulina Luna when that’s exactly what happened to her, and she said nothing about the assassination attempts against former President Trump,” Cuomo remarked. “Clearly, she does not value her opponents as humans the way she does herself.”
The Broader Debate
The exchange between Cuomo and AOC highlights a broader debate over U.S. support for Israel and the ethical implications of military operations targeting terrorist groups like Hezbollah. While AOC framed her criticism in terms of humanitarian law, Cuomo’s fact-check underscored the complexities of military engagement in a region fraught with violence and terrorism. Israel, a key U.S. ally, has long faced scrutiny for its military tactics, but supporters argue that such operations are necessary to protect civilians from terrorist threats.
As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, the debate over how to balance military necessity with humanitarian concerns is likely to remain a focal point in U.S. politics. AOC’s comments reflect growing divisions within the Democratic Party, where progressive voices often challenge the party’s longstanding support for Israel, while more moderate figures advocate for continued backing of the U.S. ally.
For Cuomo, the issue boils down to fairness and accuracy. By misrepresenting the facts, he argued, AOC not only undermined her credibility but also risked inflaming tensions at a time when the focus should be on preventing further conflict. “This is why you don’t accuse and then go in search of a crime,” Cuomo concluded, suggesting that AOC’s approach was more about political grandstanding than genuine concern for the law.
Shoot aim fire?Why did AOC blame Israel for attacking terrorists that are sworn to their destruction? We are on the brink of war and you need to know where people stand. pic.twitter.com/Gpn7KssQlk
— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) September 20, 2024