On Wednesday, Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI) announced that he would be leaving the Democratic Socialists, saying that the organization was “unwilling to call out terrorism in all its forms,” after they blamed Israel for the attacks and murder of civilians at the hands of Hamas.
“Today, I am officially renouncing my membership in the Democratic Socialists of America,” the congressman began. “After the brutal terrorist attacks on Israel, which included the indiscriminate murder, rape, and kidnapping of innocent men, women, and children, I can no longer associate with an organization unwilling to call out terrorism in all its forms.
“Sunday’s hate-filled and antisemitic rally in New York City, promoted by the NYC-DSA, makes it impossible for me to continue my affiliation. I stand with Israel and its right to defend itself. There is no place for moral equivocation in the face of unadulterated evil as we have seen from Hamas.”
Thanedar reiterated his policy positions, saying he intends to continue working for “universal healthcare, workers’ rights, strong labor unions, equity for communities of color, environmental justice, and compassionate immigration,” but said that he did not wish to continue “fanning the flames of hatred.”
I renounce my membership in the DSA pic.twitter.com/rtpxStKW2Q
— Congressman Shri Thanedar (@RepShriThanedar) October 11, 2023
Thanedar went on to pen an opinion piece for the Daily Beast in which he discussed being near the “antisemitic” rally in New York City, which was promoted by the NYC Democratic Socialists of America chapter.
“The scenes from the recent rally in New York City, promoted by the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), deeply disturbed me. Sitting miles away, I grappled with the evolving accounts of the event, where heightened antisemitic sentiments took center stage,” the piece began.
“The palpable support for the violence committed against Israel by Hamas, recounted through various sources, highlighted a growing polarization in our societal beliefs. These accounts seemed almost surreal, a stark contrast to the America I’ve come to know and love.”
“The recent horrific terrorist attacks on Israel shattered my heart — the indiscriminate slaughter, heinous acts of rape, and cold-blooded kidnappings of innocent souls, men, women, and children alike,” he continued.
“How can I possibly align myself with an organization that “unequivocally” condemns killing civilians, but then blames the country where the victims were slaughtered? This is terrorism in its darkest forms, and blaming Israel for the violence is not condemning the massacres ‘unequivocally.’”
“The rally in New York City this past Sunday, filled with venom and antisemitism, and actively promoted by NYC-DSA, was the final blow. I can no longer, in good conscience, maintain any affiliation with the national organization. At that moment, I decided to renounce my membership in the DSA. As of the time of my resignation, I was a ‘member in good standing’ with the Detroit DSA, according to their website.”
The Democratic Socialist organization’s messaging has remained consistently in support of Palestine. On Oct. 7, the day that Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel took place, the X account for the Democratic Socialists posted, “DSA is steadfast in expressing our solidarity with Palestine.”
“Today’s events are a direct result of Israel’s apartheid regime — a regime that receives billions in funding from the United States,” the post continued. “End the violence. End the Occupation. Free Palestine.”
DSA is steadfast in expressing our solidarity with Palestine.
Today’s events are a direct result of Israel’s apartheid regime—a regime that receives billions in funding from the United States.
End the violence. End the Occupation. Free Palestine. 1/5
— DSA (@DemSocialists) October 8, 2023
In addition, several members of the far-left “Squad,” such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), have spoken out in varying forms. Ocasio-Cortez called for a cease-fire, in hopes that Israel would not defend itself, while Omar and Tlaib both placed blame squarely on Israel for the attacks.
The White House has condemned Omar and Tlaib’s comments, and both have been silent since reports surfaced that 40 Israeli newborns were found dead, with some burned and others decapitated.
