According to a report in the New York Times, US Congressional Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) of New York said this week that she would vote against all US military aid to Israel, including for defensive systems.

Speaking at a private, virtual forum with members of the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez was asked if her opposition to aid for Israel extended to its defensive systems. She said yes, according to her chief of staff, Mike Casca.

Let’s be clear, she has now publicly stated that, in her opinion, the US should not fund the development of any military equipment in Israel, defensive or otherwise as this has no benefit to America. This is a big shift from her earlier position against funding offensive weapons but leaving intact funds for defensive weaponry.

For some perspective it is worth looking at how this decision could affect her personal survival should there ever be an enemy ballistic missile attack on New York City.

For example, part of her congressional district is in the Bronx very close to the area where 170th Street intersects with the Grand Concourse. That intersection is not at grade. Rather there is a long underpass that carries 170th Street fairly deeply under the Grand Concourse roadway. To get a sense of how deep the 170th Street roadway is buried, between that roadway and the Grand Concourse is sandwiched an additional level which supports a city subway line connecting various parts of the Bronx with Manhattan to its south. The 170th Street roadway is effectively two levels below the Grand Concourse’s pavement.

However, should she or her constituents decide to shelter there during an enemy attack, hopefully she understands that the underpass is not a secure spot against an aerial bombardment as both ends are fully open to the street itself.

The defensive weapons that AOC wants to stop funding are exactly the kinds of weapons that would save her if she was to end up in that underpass hoping to be protected from the effects of a ballistic missile attack on New York City by Iran or any other potential enemy.

Nevertheless, her position and that of a large segment of the Democrat party and part of the Republican party a well, is not based on practical considerations about personal survival in the event of an attack by a foreign enemy. Rather it is a response to what they think their constituency believes with no attempt on their part to either learn more of the relevant details or help educate their constituency. Facts tell a different story.

Experience has shown that Israel’s defense industry provides the US with critical technological advantages, battlefield-proven innovations, and strategic intelligence, significantly enhancing US national security and military capabilities. Key benefits include supplying advanced missile defense (Iron Dome, David’s Sling), cybersecurity, UAVs, and battlefield medical technologies, while fostering joint ventures that support a significant number of American jobs and manufacturing.

Specifically, Israeli-owned companies and startups created over 60,000 jobs in New York City, Florida, and Virginia alone as of 2024, often working within the high-tech, cyber, and defense sectors. This includes:

Virginia: Israeli-founded Elbit America expanded its Roanoke County facility in late 2025 with a $30 million investment, adding 288 new jobs and bringing its total Virginia workforce to over 1,000.

Massachusetts: Studies have shown that Israeli-founded businesses generate approximately 9,000 direct jobs in Massachusetts and support an additional 18,000 as well.

California: In 2024, over 8,000 people were employed by Israeli-owned enterprises in California, with high average salaries.

Florida: XTEND, an Israeli drone developer, opened a US headquarters and production site in Tampa in 2025 to produce defense drones, creating additional high-tech manufacturing jobs.

It may well be in Israel’s long term best interests to wean itself off the financial support provided by the US. However, this should come as part of some jointly discussed strategic plan recognizing that whatever support is being provided to Israel today and in the past, has had to be spent in the US, creating business for American defense contractors.

The mistake that American lawmakers make when it comes to their position on Israel, is choosing not to look at all of the available facts but rather to play to their own, often unknowledgeable, constituents. While it may help them get re-elected it  may well not be in the interest of either their personal safety or that of the US population at large. AOC’s latest statement is demonstrative of that fault line.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)