Israel war: Thanedar abandons Democratic Socialists of America following ‘hate-filled and antisemitic’ rally

Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-MI) announced he is renouncing his membership with the Democratic Socialists of America after the New York City branch promoted an antisemitic rally on Sunday following a Hamas terrorist attack in Israel.

Thanedar, who had been one of five current members of the DSA serving in Congress, specifically called out the “hate-filled” rally as the reason for abandoning the DSA in a statement on Wednesday.

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“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 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,” Thanedar said.

“There is no place for moral equivocation in the face of unadulterated evil as we have seen from Hamas,” he continued.

The Michigan Democrat then explained that his goals as a congressman, including universal healthcare, equity for communities of color, and “compassionate immigration,” have not changed but that he cannot associate any further with the DSA.

“My ideals have not changed at all. I strongly believe that ending my association with DSA serves my constituents’ interests as they expect me to represent them by helping to build a better, more just world, not fanning the flames of hatred,” Thanedar said.

There are currently four House Democrats who are members of the DSA: Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Cori Bush (D-MO), and Greg Casar (D-TX) — Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) let his party membership expire last year, according to the New York Times.

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Ocasio-Cortez and Bowman have both denounced the antisemitic protests in New York City.

Israel declared war against Hamas, the first time it had declared war since 1973, shortly after the attacks on Saturday. The conflict has killed at least 2,200 people in Israel and Gaza since the first terrorist attacks by Hamas, according to the Associated Press. The State Department has said that at least 22 Americans are among the dead in Israel.