The New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America ripped Tuesday’s massive pro-Israel rally in Washington, DC, as a “pro-Genocide March.
“Today’s Pro-Genocide March in DC is a sad attempt to match the energy of millions who have marched, protested, phone-banked, and engaged in direct action to demand a Ceasefire and fight for a Free Palestine,” the NYC-SDA wrote in the post.
“We have the people on our side,” the group continued — adding a meme that implied “Christian nationalist[s],” “Hitler apologist[s],” “corporate Democrat[s],” the Israeli president and pro-Israel lobbyists had joined together for the rally.
The DSA later defended its tweet in an emailed statement to The Post, saying the “Hitler apologist” phrase was a specific reference to Pastor John Hagee, a controversial figure who once said Hurricane Katrina was God’s retribution for gay people and that God sent Adolf Hitler to help Jews reach the Promised Land.
Hagee spoke at the rally and told the crowd that there was “no middle ground in this conflict,” according to the Times of Israel.
The DSA’s controversial social media post on X implied “Hitler apologists” were among the crowd at Tuesday’s march. @nycDSA/XA DSA rep said in a statement, “We are appalled and disgusted that the march featured this far-right extremist who has made comments suggesting Hitler’s action were God’s will.”
But politicians from both sides of the aisle ripped the group for its overall post.
“The DSA is a vile, disgraceful group that is anti-American and antisemitic,” said Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Jewish Republican who attended the DC rally, to The Post. “It’s a group that celebrates the evils of a terrorist organization, Hamas.”
State Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) echoed that same anger, telling The Post that the DSA “intentionally minimizes and trivializes the Holocaust and taunt Jews.
The group said the Hitler reference was specifically about Pastor John Hagee, a speaker who has a history of making controversial statements. Tasos Katopodis for NY Post
Politicians from both sides of the aisle ripped the group for its statement. Getty Images
Hagee — who once said Hurricane Katrina was God’s retribution for gay people — told the crowd that there was “no middle ground” in the Israel-Hamas conflict. AFP via Getty Images“It’s more than bizarre. Comparing supporters of Israel to Hitler is beyond the pale. How low can you go? Shame on them,” said Dinowitz, who is Jewish, supports Israel and went to DC.
“The Democratic Socialists showed their true colors by participating in a pro-Hamas rally the day after Hamas slaughtered Israelis,” he continued. “Much of what the DSA does is antisemitic.”
The DSA’s condemnation of the pro-Israel rally comes as many prominent members of the organization are calling for a ceasefire to stop what they call the Jewish nation’s “genocide” in Gaza.
Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 11,000 Palestinians — two-thirds of them women and minors — since the Oct. 7 attack, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) has called out President Joe Biden for his support of Israel amid the ongoing conflict.
“Joe Biden supported the genocide of the Palestinian people,” she wrote in a video posted to X. “The American people won’t forget.”
Tlaib, the only Palestinian in Congress, was since censured by her colleagues over comments supporting Palestinian liberation.
Fellow “Squad” member Rep. Cori Busch (D-Mo.) introduced a resolution to Congress on Oct. 16 calling for “an immediate deescalation and cease-fire in Israel and occupied Palestine.”
The resolution has since gained 17 Democratic co-sponsors, including New York Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman and Nydia Velazquez who all signed on at its introduction.
