A Response to the Criticism of AOC Speaking at the Democratic National Convention

By Mike Dover 
The Nation recently published an article by Kareem Elrefai titled AOC’s DNC Speech Was a Betrayal of the Gaza Movement. Written by a DSA member, it calls for another opinion from a DSA member. 
According to the article and the transcript,  Congresswoman Alexandre Ocasio-Cortez said about Vice President Kamala Harris: "And she is working tirelessly. To secure a ceasefire in Gaza and bringing hostages home."
This response will focus on the issue of what was the most progressive and realistic thing that could be said in a plenary speech at the Democratic National Convention, and still produce unity and inspiration to defeat Trump/Vance and the MAGA movement. 
Part of the specific criticism given by criticism by Elrefai regarding the Gaza was: "But Ocasio-Cortez’s statement was simply not true. There have been no indications that Harris is playing a central role in any ceasefire negotiations. And there is mounting evidence that those negotiations are more fantasy than reality." 
Harris not being involved directly in the negotiations may be true. But given her role as Vice President, it is unfair to target her for staying loyal to the President. On July 25, she did make what Politico called a forceful case for a ceasefire, although the article pointed out she did not diverge from Biden’s position except in tone. But since when is the US role in proposing and passing United Nations Security Council 2735 a fantasy? 
Either side could now take the first step and actually implement Phase one's temporary cease fire. Either side could immediately cease bombing and/or rocket attacks, at least, while negotiating the details of a hostage/prisoner exchange. Phase one calls for Israel’s withdrawal from all major population center. Phase Two calls for negotiations over a permanent ceasefire. Why not ceasefire now and cross that Phase Two bridge when we get there? 
There was other criticism made: “She could have called for an arms embargo against Israel. And even if she felt she couldn’t take such a bold step, she didn’t have to help Harris push a narrative that is not true. She could have done what Bernie Sanders did in his speech on Tuesday night, when he said, “We must end this horrific war in Gaza, bring home the hostages, and demand an immediate ceasefire.” 
This practically admits that it was not feasible to call for an arms embargo. At a time when Israel is any day expecting massive guided-missile attacks from Iran and/or Hezbollah? That is a non-starter if Harris/Walz wish to beat Trump. A temporary arms embargo for offensive weapons might be called for, but a permanent one would just embolden Iran and Hezbollah and Hamas and its allies, to think that there is a military solution to the conflict. 
As to the criticism that AOC did not go as far as Senator Bernie Sanders, that is just not true. First, Sanders was given just over 12 minutes. AOC’s speech was prime time and only 7 minutes. According to the transcript, on Gaza, Bernie said this: “We must end this horrific war in Gaza, bring home the hostages and demand an immediate ceasefire.” He said nearly the same thing as AOC!
 
One might imagine there could be other criticisms. Should have said "permanent" ceasefire? Should she have said not only "hostages" but hostages and prisoners? 
This would be irresponsible given there were still reports of a possible ceasefire implementation.  If she had more time— and she did not—she could have said "to secure the immediate implementation by Israel and Hamas of the UN Security Council ceasefire resolution, which the Harris Biden administration helped formulate and is tirelessly working to implement."
It seems to me that instead of attacking AOC from the left, those on the democratic left should recognize the political realities within which she operated, instead of criticizing one of our most outspoken allies. When Rep. Ilhan Omar was criticized for her comments at the Convention, AOC responded in defense of her. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez has a long and principled record of progressive statements and action on US policy in the Middle East. Let’s find a way to build unity this fall and block the attack on democracy by Trump/Vance and the MAGA forces.  
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(Mike Dover has been a DSA member since 1992 and is a longstanding peace and solidarity and radical social work activist)