Democratic Socialists of America rescind AOC endorsement over 'conflating anti-Zionism with antisemitism'

The Democratic Socialists of America rescinded its endorsement of progressive "Squad" leader Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for not being anti-Israel enough. They issued a list of demands to her before they would consider endorsing her again, but the final straw for the DSA appeared to be a recent panel. "AOC recently hosted a public panel with leaders from the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, lobbyists for the IHRA definition of antisemitism. On this panel, she conflated anti-Zionism with antisemitism and condemned boycotting Zionist institutions,” and called the sponsorship “a deep betrayal," the DSA said.

The group announced on Wednesday that on “Sunday, June 23rd, the DSA National Political Committee (NPC) voted to endorse Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) so long as she fulfills the following conditions” which included, “Publicly opposes all funding to Israel, including the Iron Dome,” participate in the DSA Federal Socialists in Office Committee, “Publicly opposes all criminalization of Anti-Zionism, such as bills advancing the IHRA [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance] definition which conflates criticism of Israel with anti-semitism,” and publicly support the antisemitic BDS (Boycott, Divest, and Sanction) movement “to end Israeli settler-colonialism.”

According to the DSA, “This initial endorsement request was considered upon request of New York City DSA’s Steering Committee (NYC-DSA SC). Earlier this week, the NPC received a request from NYC-DSA SC to withdraw the endorsement because it took place after the New York Democratic Primary and they did not expect a conditional endorsement or feel it was strategic. Because we have not seen evidence of AOC meeting these conditions, and at the request of the NYC-DSA SC, the NPC is withdrawing our conditional endorsement of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, although she will remain endorsed by our New York City chapter.” 

The group noted that it supported AOC’s history of opposing Israel, including, “co-sponsoring several House Resolutions (3103, 786,  496), naming Israel’s genocide as well as opposing House Resolution 894.” However, “Members have raised their concerns regarding a number of her votes, including a vote in favor of H.Res.888, conflating opposition to Israel’s ‘right to exist’ with antisemitism. AOC also co-signed a press release on April 20, 2024, that ‘support[s] strengthening the Iron Dome and other defense systems.’”

The organization then reiterated its commitment to the end of the Jewish state in favor of Palestine and to building “a socialist movement that’s capable of defeating capitalism, we must demand more from leaders in our movement.”

Days after the Hamas massacre of over 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping of over 200 hostages on Oct. 7, the Democratic Socialist of America began organizing rallies in support of Palestinian terrorists against the Jewish state and even used graphics of Hamas terrorists parachuting into Israel to advertise the events. The DSA was widely condemned, with some Democratic politicians, including AOC’s congressional colleague Rep Richie Torres (D-NY), renouncing their membership in the organization, according to the New York Post.

The organization’s Palestinian Solidarity Working Group even released a "tool kit," with the resources to coordinate pro-Hamas rallies coast to coast. These rallies always included calls for genocide of those living in Israel, vandalism, graffiti, anti-police rhetoric, and never calls for Hamas to surrender or the release of the hostages.

Retracting the endorsement could have repercussions for the DSA, as AOC is very popular in far-left circles, and the organization is facing severe financial shortfalls and is in a “seven-figure hole.”