Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a prominent member of the so-called “Squad,” responded to the recent attack on demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, who were advocating for the release of Israeli hostages still held by Hamas. In a social media post, she said she was “horrified” by the incident.
“My heart is with the victims and our Jewish communities across the country,” the post said. “Antisemitism is on the rise here at home, and we have a moral responsibility to confront and stop it everywhere it exists.”
One person who took issue with Ocasio-Cortez’s response was former Major League Baseball star Kevin Youkilis. The two-time World Series champion, who is Jewish, criticized the congresswoman and questioned what actions she has personally taken to address those in New York City openly calling for intifada.
“Jews are targeted with violence and it’s the same virtue signal post time and time again,” he wrote in his response to her reaction on X. “What have you done to confront those calling for intifadas in NYC? Until you create a plan of action, your repeated virtue signaling after the violence occurs holds no weight.”
Youkilis is best known for his years with the Boston Red Sox, though he spent the final season of his Major League Baseball career with the New York Yankees. After his post, he was asked online what actions he wanted AOC to take.
“Confront the radical mobs chanting for intifadas in NYC,” he responded. “That would be brave leadership, but we know politicians, on both sides of the aisle, shy away in fear of losing votes and power.”
Reporting on Youkilis’ response, Fox News noted: “In the midst of last year’s chaos at Columbia University, Ocasio-Cortez called anti-Israel agitators on campus ‘peaceful.’ The message came as Jewish students were recommended to stay home as students were caught on camera sympathizing with Hamas.”
The report also acknowledged Sunday’s Boulder attack: “The FBI described Sunday’s violence as a ‘targeted terror attack.’ Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was accused of using homemade incendiary devices to light eight people on fire as they gathered to advocate for the return of Israeli hostages in Hamas captivity in a daytime attack at Boulder’s Pearl Street Mall.”
