Former MLB All-Star Accuses Ocasio-Cortez of ‘Virtue Signaling,’ Weak Reaction to Colorado Antisemitic Attack
by Shiryn Ghermezian
Law enforcement officers work at the scene, after an attack that injured multiple people in Boulder, Colorado, US, June 1, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt
Former Major League Baseball player and World Series champion Kevin Youkilis lambasted US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) on Tuesday for her reaction to the violent antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday night.
On Monday, Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a post on X she was “horrified” by the attack in which a dozen people were injured at an event organized to raise awareness for the hostages abducted from Israel by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, and still held by the US-designated terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip. The firebombing took place on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot.
“My heart is with the victims and our Jewish communities across the country,” the lawmaker wrote in her post on X. “Antisemitism is on the rise here at home, and we have a moral responsibility to confront and stop it everywhere it exists.”
Youkilis — a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, who formerly played for the Boston Red Sox — responded to Ocasio-Cortez’s post by accusing her of ignoring those who are calling for “intifadas” — a reference to periods of rampant Palestinian terrorism targeting Israelis — in her district and throughout New York City.
“Jews are targeted with violence and it’s the same virtue signal post time and time again,” he posted on X. “What have you done to confront those calling for intifadas in NYC? Until you create a plan of action, your repeated virtue signaling after the violence occurs holds no weight.”
In the comments section on his post, Youkilis said Ocasio-Cortez should “confront the radical mobs chanting for intifadas in NYC.” Youkilis added: “That would be brave leadership, but we know politicians, on both sides of the aisle, shy away in fear of losing votes and power.”
“Prove me wrong and show what she has done to combat antisemitism in her district?” he later said in response to one user on X who attempted to defend the lawmaker. “You have no response because there has been zero action.”
Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, has been charged by US authorities with throwing Molotov cocktails and using a flamethrower to target those who attended the pro-Israel event on Sunday night. Among those injured in the attack were two elderly people who were hospitalized with severe burns. Soliman, who lives in Colorado Springs, told investigators that he wanted to “kill all Zionist people,” according to court documents. He was charged with attempted murder, assault, and a federal hate crime. Federal authorities said Soliman was in the country illegally since he overstayed a tourist visa and an expired work permit.
Soliman’s wife and five children were taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials “for expedited removal,” the White House said in a post on X on Tuesday.
Youkilis was drafted by Boston in 2001 but made his major league debut in 2004, the year Boston won its first World Series in 86 years.
