AOC complains about 'Islamophobia' after Islamic extremists massacre Jews at Bondi Beach

In the wake of a fatal terrorist attack at Sydney, Australia’s famed Bondi Beach over the weekend at a Hanukkah celebration that resulted in the deaths of 16 people, Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to social media to complain about "Islamophobia."

"The normalization and acceptance of Islamophobia in our politics is disgusting. Our Muslim neighbors are not Republicans’ scapegoats for antisemitic attacks and Trump’s failed policies," Ocasio-Cortez wrote. "We must absolutely condemn Islamophobia loudly and hold those perpetuating it accountable."

Ocasio-Cortez was responding to a post from fellow Rep Randy Fine, in which he called for a "Muslim travel ban" in the wake of the attack in Australia and other high-profile attacks both in the US and abroad.

The fatal mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach took place on Saturday, with 16 people being killed and 40 more injured. The shooting is believed to have been carried out by the father-son duo of Sajid and Naveed Akram. The elder Akram was killed by officers at the scene, while the younger Akram was shot and is in the hospital under police guard.

Naveed Akram, 24, had been on a watchlist since 2019 after authorities believed that he had pledged support to the Islamic State, and the Australian spy agency ASIO has said that while Akram was "known" to them, they did not believe him to be an "immediate" threat. An Islamic State flag was found in the car the duo allegedly drove to the scene, as well as explosives. The attack has been deemed a terrorist attack by authorities. Australia's federal police commissioner Krissy Barrett said on Tuesday that it was "a terrorist attack inspired by Islamic State."

Among the dead are 10-year-old Matilda, whose family had emigrated to Australia from Ukraine, and Holocaust survivor Alexander Kleytman, also from Ukraine. The latter was said to have been killed while shielding his wife, Larisa, from gunfire.

One of the attackers was disarmed by a civilian, 43-year-old Ahmed al Ahmed. A GoFundMe set up to support Ahmed as he recovers has raised over $2.3 million since its launch. Trump said of Ahmed on Sunday, "In Australia, you probably read, a very brave person who went and attacked frontally one of the shooters and saved a lot of lives. So, very brave person who's right now in the hospital, pretty seriously wounded. Great respect to that man."