(LibertySons.org) – The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) once called Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) (D-NY) the organization’s “foremost socialist superstar.” Of course, that was back in 2021. Today, her popularity with the national group has waned due to her stance on Israel.
In June, the DSA National Political Committee (NPC) voted to endorse AOC on a provisional basis. This vote came at the request of the New York City DSA’s Steering Committee. At that time, the NPC set conditions for the endorsement to become permanent. On July 10, they removed their endorsement.
On July 10, the DSA issued a statement explaining the requirements it placed on AOC in return for its national endorsement. For instance, the group’s terms mandated that the congresswoman “opposes all funding to Israel, including the Iron Dome.” However, on April 20, 2024, AOC co-signed a press release that “supports [ed] strengthening the Iron Dome and other defense systems.”
Another condition of the DSA national endorsement is that she “oppose[s] all criminalization of Anti-Zionism, such as bills advancing the IHRA definition which conflates criticism of Israel with anti-semitism.” The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) set a working definition of antisemitism in 2016 that included “Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed…community institutions and religious facilities.”
However, on June 10, AOC hosted a round table discussion with members of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, an organization pushing the IHRA definition. During the discussions, antisemitism was linked to anti-Zionism, and the panel condemned boycotting Jewish institutions. Both actions go against the DSA condition.
The removal of the provisional endorsement came at the request of the NYC-DSA Steering Committee, which had originally requested it. They claim the endorsement came after the Democratic NYC primary and that they hadn’t expected to get a provisional endorsement. The local chapter will continue to endorse AOC, and since that’s where the congressional district is, the NPC decision is likely to have little impact on her re-election campaign.
~Here’s to Our Liberty!
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