Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez mentions Kamala Harris’s efforts for Gaza ceasefire at DNC: Watch

On Monday night, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) addressed the Democratic National Convention with a primetime speech, marking a significant moment in her political career. 

Unlike her brief 90-second address at the 2020 DNC, Ocasio-Cortez delivered a nearly seven-minute speech this year, signaling her rising influence within the Democratic Party.

Ocasio-Cortez took the opportunity to express her gratitude to President Biden for his leadership and to offer a strong endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. 

Reflecting on her journey to Congress, she shared her personal story of overcoming challenges, stating, “My family was fighting off foreclosure, and we were struggling with bills after my dad passed away unexpectedly from cancer, like millions of Americans, we were just looking for an honest shake, and we were tired of a cynical politics that seemed blind to the realities of working people.”

The Congresswoman also emphasized Harris's dedication to the middle class and her unwavering stance on reproductive and civil rights. 

Ocasio-Cortez highlighted Harris’s commitment to securing a ceasefire, quoting her as saying, “She is working tirelessly to secure a ceasefire and bring home the hostages.” This statement received enthusiastic applause from the DNC audience.

Ocasio-Cortez’s remarks come at a time when Gaza's Health Ministry reports over 40,000 Palestinian deaths since October due to Israeli military actions. Harris had previously met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in July, where she urged him to work towards an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. 

However, despite the rhetoric, the Democratic Party platform still does not include a call for an arms embargo against Israel, a point of contention among pro-Palestinian activists.

Earlier in her speech, Ocasio-Cortez addressed her critics, stating, “Ever since I got elected, Republicans have attacked me by saying that I should go back to bartending. I’m happy to any day of the week because there is nothing wrong with working for a living.”