A retired Lieutenant Colonel from the Army vociferously challenged the claims made by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez regarding Israel’s alleged war crimes, in a comprehensive discussion with Fox News Digital. He emphasized the critical responsibility that members of Congress hold, underscoring their duty to thoroughly comprehend legal definitions and ramifications before levying such serious accusations against military personnel.
During her appearance on MSNBC’s “The Mehdi Hasan Show” this past Sunday, Ocasio-Cortez, representing New York, denounced Israel, accusing them of committing war crimes, while concurrently calling for a ceasefire in response to Hamas’ offensive on October 7. She clarified that her stance was not in defense of Hamas and highlighted the gravity of war crimes, stating they should never be used as a retaliatory measure.
Ocasio-Cortez went on to condemn Israel’s alleged “indiscriminate bombing campaign” in Gaza, casting doubt on the efficacy of their recent military actions. Fox News Digital reached out to the congresswoman for comments, but did not receive an immediate response.
Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey S. Corn, now a distinguished professor of law and a military legal expert, shared his insights with Fox News Digital. With over two decades of service in the U.S. Army and a substantial tenure as a Judge Advocate General’s Corps officer, Corn brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the table.
While Corn expressed understanding and empathy towards the Palestinian civilians in Gaza, he expressed concern over the hastiness with which some individuals, including Ocasio-Cortez, are quick to label Israel’s actions as war crimes without a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances and legal contexts.
Corn highlighted two main issues with Ocasio-Cortez’s statements. Firstly, she acknowledged the war crimes committed by Hamas on October 7 but failed to recognize the 8,000 rockets indiscriminately fired at Israel since that date, each instance being a war crime in itself. Secondly, he contested the term “collective punishment,” used by Ocasio-Cortez, explaining that it requires a specific intent to inflict suffering on a population, which he believes is not the case with Israeli military operations.
The crux of Corn’s argument is that accusations of war crimes require a nuanced understanding of legal definitions, the value of military targets, and the efforts made to mitigate civilian casualties. He emphasizes that civilian casualties during combat do not inherently equate to war crimes.
In conclusion, Corn expresses disappointment with Ocasio-Cortez’s allegations, stating that such accusations demean the integrity and honor of the Israeli Defense Forces, which he believes are making significant efforts to protect civilian lives, in stark contrast to their adversaries.