New York congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a self-described Democratic socialist, attacked Israel during an interview Friday, admitting moments later she wasn’t really sure what she was talking about.
The awkward admission came after PBS’ “Firing Line” host Margaret Hoover pushed back on Ocasio-Cortez for describing the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians as an “occupation.”
“I also think that what people are starting to see, at least in the occupation of Palestine, is just an increasing crisis of humanitarian condition and that to me is just where I tend to come from on this issue,” the 28-year-old candidate said.
Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez attacks Israel, calls them the occupiers of Palestine.
When pressed on what she meant she struggled to give an answer and then admitted she does not know what she is talking about. pic.twitter.com/e3Uq1eupD3
— Ryan Saavedra 🇺🇸 (@RealSaavedra) July 16, 2018
Hoover asked Ocasio-Cortez to explain her use of the word “occupation.” The Democratic socialist also described Israel’s defense of its border in May against Hamas terrorists along the Gaza Strip as a “massacre.”
“Oh — I think what I meant is that the settlements that are increasing in some of these areas and places where Palestinians are experiencing difficulty in access to housing and homes,” she tried to explain.
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Still, the PBS host wanted more details.
“Yeah I think, I just — I am not the expert on geopolitics on this issue,” Ocasio-Cortez deflected.