Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Democratic congresswoman for New York, has faced strong criticism after claiming that the House-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would "merge parts of our military with the Israel Defense Forces". Republican lawmakers and commentators reacted angrily to the remark, with one GOP representative telling her to "stop stoking Jew hatred", amid a broader row over an Israel-related provision in the $1.15 trillion defence bill.

The controversy came as the House passed the NDAA, which included a provision concerning Israel that had already caused division among Democrats, some of whom had also debated a separate amendment from Republican Rep. Thomas Massie seeking to cut aid to Israel. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had warned that such a move could undermine US national security by strengthening groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Ocasio-Cortez's characterisation of the defence bill drew accusations from Republicans that she was misrepresenting the legislation and inflaming antisemitic sentiment.