Michigan US Rep. Shri Thanedar renounces DSA membership over ‘hate-filled and antisemitic’ NYC rally

U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar (a Michigan Democrat) announced on Wednesday that he has renounced membership in the Democratic Socialists of America after the group backed a “hate filled and antisemitic rallie” in New York City, following the deadly terror attacks against Israel.

Thanedar wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “After the brutal terrorist attack on Israel which included the indiscriminate killing, raping, and kidnapping innocent men, women, children, I cannot associate with an organisation unwilling to call out terrorism of all kinds.”

The DSA is a group with six members of Congress, including “The Squad,” who backed a demonstration in Times Square. Demonstrators then marched to the Israeli Consulate, which was several blocks away. The group blamed Israel for the terrorist attack by Hamas fighters on Israeli civilians, calling it an “apartheid” regime that receives billions in funding from the U.S.

Demonstrators stomped and burned an Israeli flag at the rally and taunted Israel-supporters with an image of an swastika. Other signs read “Palestinian Return by Any Means Necessary,” “Israeli Apartheid and Genocide Funded by the U.S.”, and “End All U.S. Aid to Israel!”

Thanedar wrote that Sunday’s rally, “promoted” by the NYC-DSA made it impossible for him to continue his affiliation. “I support Israel’s right to defend itself.”

Thanedar, unlike many Israeli critics, said that “there is no moral compromise in the face pure evil like we’ve seen with Hamas.”

Fox News Digital reached out to DSA New York City Chapter and Fox News Digital.

Thanedar said that while his ideals had not changed, he felt that ending his association would better serve his constituents, “who expect me to be their representative by working to create a more just and better world, rather than fanning hatred.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, D.N.Y., and other Democrats distanced themselves from the DSA rally.

She told Politico that the bigotry, and callousness displayed in Times Square Sunday was unacceptable and harmful at this time of crisis. She added that the statement did not represent the thousands of New Yorkers capable of rejecting Hamas’ horrific attacks against innocent civilians as well as the grave injustices Palestinians suffer under occupation.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the planned gathering as “abhorrent and morally repugnant.” Kathy Hochul called the planned rally “morally repugnant and abhorrent.”

“The Israeli people are faced with violent terrorist attacks and kidnappings of civilians. I condemn plans for a rally to be held in Times Square tomorrow, in support of those who committed these horrendous acts. The planned rally was abhorrent, and morally repugnant,” Hochul said in a post to X.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib is Thanedar’s congressional colleague. She’s also a Michigan Democrat, and a Squad member with Palestinian ancestry. Tlaib has accused Israel of ethnic cleanse against Palestinians. She was also criticized for flying the Palestinian flag in front of her office on the U.S. Capitol.