US congresswoman criticised after ‘wide-reaching’ phone call with Jeremy Corbyn
The New York democrat received several replies, highlighting concerns about allegations of antisemitism
US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been criticised following a “lovely and wide-reaching” phone call with Jeremy Corbyn.
The New York democrat tweeted on Sunday it was “an honour to share such a lovely and wide-reaching conversation with you, @Jeremycorbyn”.
“Also honored to share a great hope in the peace, prosperity, + justice that everyday people can create when we uplift one another across class, race, + identity both at home & abroad”, she added.
Jeremy Corbyn tweeted on Sunday evening: “Great to speak to @AOC on the phone this evening and hear first hand how she’s challenging the status quo.
“Let’s build a movement across borders to take on the billionaires, polluters and migrant baiters, and support a happier, freer and cleaner planet”.
Following this exchange, Ocasio-Cortez received several replies from members of the Jewish community highlighting concerns about allegations of antisemitism levelled against the Labour leader.
Elad Nehorai, the Brooklyn-based Jewish Orthodox writer behind the blog “Pop Chassid”, tweeted at Ocasio-Cortez, saying: “I’m a huge huge fan of yours.
“I hope you’ll take a look at the amount of Jews trying to call attention to Corbyn’s long, documented history of anti-Semitism.
“The left’s blind spot in this regard can still be fixed. But we need leaders like yourself to listen.”
Ocasio-Cortez replied, thanking Nehorai for his comments, adding: “We cannot + will not move forward without deep fellowship and leadership with the Jewish community. I’ll have my team reach out.”
Yair Rosenberg, senior writer at the Tablet Magazine, responded by tweeting a poll conducted for the Jewish Chronicle, which suggested 85 percent of British Jews think Jeremy Corbyn is antisemitic.
He added: “@aoc might want to have her staff screen her calls more carefully.”
Speaking at a Chanukah event last year, Ocasio-Cortez revealed her ancestors were “Sephardic Jews who fled to Puerto Rico”, according to an article in the Washington Post.
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