WATCH: CNN host DESTROYS AOC’s ceasefire argument, dredges up her anti-Iron Dome statement from 2021

AOC, whom Pat Gray sarcastically calls “brilliant,” has unsurprisingly sympathized with the Palestinians and called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

She recently joined CNN host Abby Phillip for an interview in which they discussed not only what’s occurring in Israel today but the congressional vote back in 2021 to fund the Iron Dome, which resulted in an overwhelming 420-9 consensus in favor of continued support. AOC, however, was one of the nine who resisted funding.

“A couple years ago, there was a vote in Congress for funding for the Iron Dome, and you very publicly were torn … [but] you put out a statement saying that you opposed Iron Dome funding,” said Phillip.

“I wonder, given everything we’ve seen last week – the Iron Dome essentially intercepted thousands of rockets from Hamas – do you believe now that that funding is essential? Would you vote for it today?” asked Phillip.

“To be clear, at that time, I had voted present on the Iron Dome funding because [of] … Netanyahu's decisions, which also resulted in the bombing of several buildings that contain media agencies [and] civilian targets,” she answered.

“However, I do think in this present moment when we discuss support for Israeli defense systems, that is absolutely legitimate.”

“So you would vote yes today if it came to the United States Congress, adding additional funding for the Iron Dome?” asked Phillip.

“I think if it was explicitly around that,” AOC nodded uncomfortably before explaining her “concerns about white phosphorous … [and] human rights.”

“Do you know why there [are] bombings of media centers and schools and hospitals?” asks Pat. “It’s because Hamas is launching rockets from there! ... If you are launching rockets from a school, it's not a school any more; it's a military base. If you're launching rockets from a clinic, it's not a clinic; it's a military base.”

Phillip also pressed AOC to explain her support for a ceasefire in Gaza.

“You and several other of your colleagues released a statement calling for a ceasefire in the region,” said Phillip, “but I wonder what is Israel supposed to do about Hamas after they murdered, brutalized, [and] abducted over a thousand of their citizens? Are they supposed to do nothing?”

“What is important is for us to identify our goal in terms of what safety means, in terms of what defense means …” AOC began before Phillip cut her off.

“But if I may, Congresswoman, I think the position from Israel’s perspective is that there was already an attack – Hamas already committed an attack. Do you really believe that they should not respond to that?” Phillip asked.

“Israel does have a right to to self-defense,” she answered, but “I think what we need to take a look at in this situation is if collective punishment qualifies as defense, if the blockade on water, food, electricity, the dropping of white phosphorus, which is an indiscriminate weapon, qualifies.”

“We should identify what our goal is, which is the cooling of tensions in the region,” she continued.

“Israel's goal is to rid the region of Hamas,” retorted Phillip, and “for Israel to deal with Hamas, which is a force that is actually detrimental to Palestinians, how else are they supposed to address a violent, militant – some say terrorist – group other than to go in there and take them on directly?”

“This is an inherently complex situation,” AOC said. “I do believe that Hamas needs to be dealt with, [but] I think what we're trying to figure out right now is that this present situation of collective punishment and indiscriminate attack … we’re just seeing the issues and the complications.”

“AOC must have been thinking the whole time, ‘Did I take a wrong turn and end up at Fox News? Is Tucker [Carlson] dressed in female garb?'” laughs Pat, who is pleasantly surprised that a CNN host would ask such pointed questions, especially in favor of Israel.

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