Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) is revoking his membership in the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) over its promotion of what he said was an antisemitic rally in New York City.
“Today, I am officially renouncing my membership in the Democratic Socialists of America. 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,” he wrote in a statement Wednesday.
Thanedar, formerly one of the six members of the DSA in Congress, said that a rally in Times Square on Sunday pushed him to make the decision.
The rally, held just one day after Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel, was also denounced by other lawmakers and officials.
“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 added.
The narrative of “the far left is antisemitic” is getting pushed real hard for some reason.
“Moderate” Dems and Republicans love pretending that disliking Israel’s political stances and human rights abuses is antisemitic.
It’s taking a while, but the voting public is finally starting to call them on that bullshit.
They’re not necessarily antisemitic, though I think the far right sees an opportunity there and is actively infiltrating. Horseshoe theory.
But they are definitely anti-Israel (which is fine) and pro-“anyone who fights against Israel” (which is not at all fine).
Sometimes the enemy of my enemy is just another enemy, and the far left doesn’t understand that about the Israel-Palestine conflict. Israel and the IDF are both terrible.
Rallying against Israel - cool
Rallying against Jews - not cool (though I don’t think this is happening to any serious degree on the far left)
Rallying for Palestinians - cool
Rallying for Hamas - not cool
When a not-small chunk of far left activists are saying “I see no real problem with the indiscriminate murder, rape, and kidnapping of Jews, so long as it’s done in the name of decolonization”, is it that surprising?
I really don’t think it’s a particularly large ask to be able to denounce Israel’s actions against Palestinians, and be able to say that this does not justify murdering 200 civilians at a music festival.
Bibi has done more to support Hamas than anyone on the left ever could, but why aren’t you calling that war criminal out?
Bold of you to think I like him, when I’d say he’s probably one of the single individuals that’s done the most to contribute to the environment that caused this.
Still doesn’t excuse what happened last weekend. Nothing can. There is a difference between acknowledging how some of Israel’s actions have brewed a large amount of legitimate anger and resentment and thinking that that anger and resentment can ever justify indiscriminate murder of civilians.
And before you ask, yes, I think cutting off water, power, and aid is an excessive response.
Good, we agree Israelis and Palestinians deserve better.
But I am so over complaining about random no names w/ bad takes when they have no power.
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