During a discussion at the Munich Security Conference, US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized the United States' longstanding practice of providing unconditional support to Israel. She argued that it is illogical to offer support without considering the actions and behavior of the recipient. Ocasio-Cortez suggested that as the Democratic presidential primaries approach, the next candidate should seriously evaluate the nature of military assistance provided to Israel, proposing that conditional support could be a more appropriate approach to align with American values and political expectations.

Additionally, Ocasio-Cortez alleged that the Trump administration was steering the world towards an authoritarian era, suggesting that a shift away from traditional American leadership could adversely affect global stability. She pointed to the administration's decisions which, in her view, compromised the US’s influence in Europe and allowed adversarial powers such as Russia to gain ground. Ocasio-Cortez's comments reflect a broader discourse within the Democratic Party regarding foreign policy and the need for a re-evaluation of America's role in global alliances.

The response from the US ambassador to NATO, Matt Whitaker, was notably evasive; while he affirmed Israel's status as a close ally, he did not engage directly with Ocasio-Cortez's critique. This interaction underscores the growing tensions within US political discourse concerning Israel and sets an important precedent for the upcoming election cycle, as candidates may increasingly find themselves addressing these complex international relationships amid calls for reform from constituents like Ocasio-Cortez's advocates.