AOC Accused of 'Shocking Ignorance' for Genocide Claims in Germany

Congresswoman's comments at Munich Security Conference draw criticism from foreign policy experts

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) accused Israel of committing 'genocide' in Gaza during a speech at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, where the Holocaust occurred. Her remarks were condemned by foreign policy experts as 'preposterous' and displaying 'shocking ignorance' about the history of the Holocaust.

Why it matters

AOC's comments in Germany, the site of the Holocaust, have sparked outrage and accusations of antisemitism. Her claims about Israeli 'genocide' in Gaza contradict independent data and analysis, raising concerns about her grasp of foreign policy issues. The controversy could impact her political standing and any future presidential ambitions.

The details

During her speech, Ocasio-Cortez said the U.S. enabling 'genocide in Gaza' through aid to Israel, citing the Leahy Laws which prohibit funding foreign security forces accused of human rights abuses. However, experts like military historian Danny Orbach argued Israel took 'unprecedented measures to mitigate civilian harm' in Gaza, including establishing 'humanitarian safe zones' that were 'approximately six times safer than other areas.' International affairs expert Tom Gross accused AOC of 'smearing the Jewish people further with a phony genocide allegation' and said her comments displayed 'shocking ignorance' about the Holocaust.

  • Ocasio-Cortez made the remarks on February 14, 2026 at the Munich Security Conference.

The players

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

A Democratic Congresswoman from New York who has been a vocal critic of Israel's policies towards the Palestinians.

Danny Orbach

A military historian from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem who argued that Israel took measures to mitigate civilian harm in Gaza.

Tom Gross

An international affairs expert who accused Ocasio-Cortez of 'smearing the Jewish people' with 'phony genocide allegations' and displaying 'shocking ignorance' about the Holocaust.

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What they’re saying

“The evidence shows the opposite … Israel undertook unprecedented measures to mitigate civilian harm, including establishing humanitarian safe zones that independently verified data show were approximately six times safer than other areas of Gaza.”

— Danny Orbach, Military historian, Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Fox News)

“AOC has flown all the way to Munich — infamous as the city in which Hitler staged his Nazi Beer Hall Putsch that marked the beginning of the Holocaust — in order to smear the Jewish people further with a phony genocide allegation. Such preposterous allegations of 'genocide' form the bedrock of modern antisemitic incitement against Jews in the US and globally.”

— Tom Gross, International affairs expert (Fox News)

The takeaway

Ocasio-Cortez's comments in Germany, where the Holocaust occurred, have drawn sharp criticism for displaying a lack of understanding about the history of genocide and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The controversy highlights the need for elected officials to exercise caution and nuance when discussing complex geopolitical issues, especially in sensitive locations.