The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) has announced that the far-left organization has revoked its endorsement of radical Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).
The organization announced the revoked endorsement in a memo to supporters on Wednesday, claiming she is not doing enough to support Hamas-controlled Gaza.
The DSA’s national apparatus had tentatively given the endorsement on June 23.
The endorsement was given on the condition that AOC completely toe the group’s line on Israel.
Apparently, means staying dead silent on the issue of the Left’s rampant anti-Semitism.
The DSA had voted to endorse AOC provided she fulfilled the following demands:
- Publicly opposes all funding to Israel, including the Iron Dome
- Participates regularly in the DSA Federal Socialists in Office Committee
- Publicly opposes all criminalization of Anti-Zionism, such as bills advancing the IHRA definition which conflates criticism of Israel with anti-semitism
- Publicly supports BDS (Boycott, Divest, and Sanction) to end Israeli settler-colonialism
However, AOC apparently failed to comply with the demands.
In its memo, the DSA stated:
“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.”
“We recognize that AOC has taken many courageous positions on Palestine such as 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.’”
“Finally, AOC recently hosted a public panel with leaders from the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, lobbyists for the IHRA definition of antisemitism,” the memo added.
“On this panel, anti-Zionism and antisemitism were conflated, and boycotting Zionist institutions was condemned.
“This sponsorship is a deep betrayal to all those who’ve risked their welfare to fight Israeli apartheid and genocide through political and direct action in recent months, and in decades past.”
With backing from the DSA, AOC secured a shock win in the 2018 Democrat primary.
She defeated former Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY), an establishment Democrat and 10-term incumbent.
She was 29 at the time and became the youngest woman and the first female member of the DSA to be elected to Congress, alongside Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).
“We must endorse candidates who enthusiastically seek a relationship with DSA, and the National Political Committee, as the highest body of the organization between conventions, is responsible for setting the criteria we establish for national endorsements,” the organization said.
“Chapters have a responsibility to make this clear to their endorsed candidates when applying for a national endorsement.”
“The NPC is committed to ensuring that all of our elected officials are unabashed in their support for Palestinian freedom.
“To build a socialist movement that’s capable of defeating capitalism, we must demand more from leaders in our movement.”
Ocasio-Cortez is still on the organization’s website homepage and is still endorsed by the DSA’s New York City chapter.
