At its national conference in Chicago, August 8–10, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) passed resolutions calling for the expulsion of members affiliated with Israel or Zionist organizations, including J Street, signaling a sharp escalation in the organization’s anti-Zionist stance.
With 1,200 national delegates in attendance, the DSA passed a resolution stating:
“Be it resolved, that DSA members – regardless of endorsement status – who are credibly shown to…be currently affiliated with the Israeli government or any Zionist lobby group(s) such as, but not limited to, AIPAC, J Street, or Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI),…shall be considered in substantial disagreement with DSA’s principles and policies, as per Article 1, Section 3 of the DSA Bylaws, thereby committing an expellable offense.”
The resolution also targets those who “opposed BDS and the Palestinian cause,” even by “making statements that ‘Israel has a right to defend itself.’”
Under the DSA’s new rules, anyone who “knowingly provided material aid to Israel (e.g., voted to provide Israel with material aid; gave direct financial donations of any kind)” would also be subject to expulsion. By this standard, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez could be expelled, as she has voted once to continue funding for Israel’s Iron Dome defensive system. Others have noted, the same resolution would have socialist senator, Bernie Sanders, expelled from the party.
The inclusion of J Street members—an organization that frequently criticizes Israel and advocates for Palestinian rights in Congress—highlights how far the DSA has moved in its anti-Zionist agenda and underscores the extremity of the language adopted at the conference.
