J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami issued the following statement in response to Democratic congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s primary victory last night:

“A number of pro-Israel lawmakers and friends of Israel throughout the world have questioned Israel’s response to the recent protests and violence at the Gaza fence-line. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Ocasio-Cortez’s characterization of this response, it falls squarely within the bounds of the more open and frank political debate we’re seeing in this country about the policies of the Israeli government.

This election cycle has brought forward a new generation of candidates running for office who are more outspoken about their opposition to the policies of Netanyahu’s far-right coalition and who are eager to see the US play a more constructive role in making life better for both Israelis and Palestinians. We celebrate and continue to work to help create the political space for this change.”