AOC's 'Genocide' Claim in Munich Stokes Antisemitism in California

Congresswoman's false accusations against Israel in Germany raise concerns about rising Jew-hatred at home

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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In a speech at the Munich Security Conference, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) accused Israel of 'genocide', drawing criticism for her historical illiteracy and spreading of antisemitic rhetoric. The author, Rabbi Abraham Cooper of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, argues that AOC's comments will have a negative impact in California, where the 'genocide' libel has already spread into mainstream media, culture, universities, and even K-12 classrooms, leading to incidents of mobs marching against synagogues and schools.

Why it matters

AOC's false claims about 'genocide' in Israel, made in the very city where Nazism was born, risk further stoking antisemitism in California and across the United States. The author argues that the congresswoman missed an opportunity to speak out against real human rights abuses by authoritarian regimes, instead choosing to spread a 'big lie' that will embolden anti-Israel activists and undermine efforts towards peace in the Middle East.

The details

In his op-ed, the author recounts his own experiences in Munich, including visiting the Jewish Memorial at Dachau and attending morning services at the Ohel Jakob Synagogue, which had recently received threats of violence. He criticizes AOC for making her 'genocide' claims against Israel at the Munich Security Conference, arguing that this will have a direct impact on the rise of antisemitism in California, where the 'genocide' libel has already spread into mainstream discourse.

  • The author visited Munich in February 2026, 47 years after his previous visit in 1979.
  • Less than a week before the author's arrival, the Ohel Jakob Synagogue in Munich received a rifle cartridge with a live bullet and threats of violence against the Jewish community.

The players

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC)

A U.S. Congresswoman who may aspire to lead the Democratic Party and the country. She made false 'genocide' claims against Israel during a speech at the Munich Security Conference.

Rabbi Abraham Cooper

The associate dean and director of Global Social Action of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and a past chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

Simon Wiesenthal

A famous Nazi hunter who the author recited the Book of Esther with in Munich in 1979.

Rabbi Marvin Hier

The founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center at the Jewish Memorial at Dachau, Hitler's first concentration camp.

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What they’re saying

“Too bad AOC could not be bothered to speak out at Munich against an Iranian regime guilty of crimes against humanity against tens of thousands of its own citizens.”

— Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action, Simon Wiesenthal Center

The takeaway

AOC's false 'genocide' claims against Israel, made in the birthplace of Nazism, risk further stoking antisemitism in California and across the U.S. The author argues the congresswoman missed an opportunity to speak out against real human rights abuses by authoritarian regimes, instead choosing to spread a 'big lie' that will embolden anti-Israel activists and undermine efforts towards peace in the Middle East.