The Democratic Socialists of America, a political organization with a growing influence in Minnesota politics, was widely condemned over the weekend when it blamed “Israel’s apartheid regime” for Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas’ attack on the Jewish state.
The Democratic Socialists of America’s (DSA) New York City chapter promoted an “All Out for Palestine” protest that took place in Times Square Sunday, just a day after Hamas invaded Israel, targeting civilians, taking women and children hostage, and killing hundreds at a music festival.
Videos posted online purported to show Hamas parading female victims through the streets.
“They didn’t go for military targets — they went for civilians, they went for grandmothers, children, babies,” Israel Defense Forces spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said in a video Sunday. “The numbers are unprecedented.”
According to The Times of Israel, the death toll has surpassed 800 with another 2,200 wounded and 100 taken hostage. Hamas has threatened to broadcast executions of hostages.
“This morning, on Shabbat and a holiday, Hamas invaded Israeli territory and murdered innocent citizens including children and the elderly,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement Saturday. “Hamas has started a brutal and evil war.”
Israel’s security cabinet officially voted to go to war, allowing the country to conduct “significant military activities,” The Times of Israel reported.
Amid this backdrop, the Democratic Socialists of America expressed its “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,” the group’s national page wrote on X Saturday night.
It condemned the “killing of all civilians” and called for “international human rights laws to be respected” while urging its supporters to “take to the streets to join a protest for peace and against funding the Israeli state.”
“This was not unprovoked. For over 60 years, Palestinians have faced ethnic cleansing, torture, bombings, and housing demolitions. Gaza is still under a blockade,” DSA said.
At least 10 sitting elected officials in Minnesota, most of whom also belong to the state’s DFL Party, have been endorsed by local DSA affiliates.
They include:
- Sen. Omar Fateh, DFL-Minneapolis
- Sen. Zaynab Mohamed, DFL-Minneapolis
- Rep. Athena Hollins, DFL-St. Paul
- Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura, DFL-Minneapolis
- Sen. Jen McEwen, DFL-Duluth
- Minneapolis City Council Member Robin Wonsley
- Minneapolis City Council Member Aisha Chugtai
- Minneapolis City Council Member Jason Chavez
- Robbinsdale City Council Member Aaron Wagner
- Ramsey County Commissioner Mai Chong Xiong
Twin Cities DSA has described Fateh, Mohamed, Wagner, and Hollins as members of the organization. McEwen previously admitted to being a dues-paying member of Twin Ports DSA.
Twin Cities DSA is backing candidates for both the Minneapolis and St. Paul city council elections this year; Twin Ports DSA has endorsed three candidates in Duluth’s local elections.
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
