Commit to Palestine!
MUG's statement on the prospective re-endorsement of Rep. Ocasio-Cortez
As decided through Resolution-22 at DSA’s 2025 convention, opposition to BDS or the struggle for Palestinian liberation, affiliation with any zionist lobbying groups, or knowing provision of material aid to Israel directly contradicts the will of DSA’s membership and DSA’s program that demands an end to military and economic aid to Israel and a free Palestine.
In the last five years, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has repeatedly affirmed her belief that Israel has a right to “defend itself” and broke with fellow socialists in office to vote against an amendment that would have eliminated $500 million in current material aid for the Iron Dome, a key part of Israel’s expansionist policy even if it is labeled a “defensive weapon.” It is unacceptable for a socialist elected to pursue such a policy.
MUG struggles in DSA for democratic discipline—where all our members and electeds are bound to the democratic will of our members; a commitment to fight the imperial police state and its imperial projects like Israel; and unity with DSA’s program that demands a free Palestine. A vote to re-endorse Rep. Ocasio-Cortez without any change on her support for “defensive” weapons would contradict our support for Palestinian liberation and make DSA’s political strategy incoherent.
We call on our comrades in NYC DSA to vote NO on an endorsement of Rep. Ocasio-Cortez unless she confirms that she will align with DSA’s program and Resolution-22 by committing to oppose all military and settlement funding to Israel, including “defensive” weapons such as the Iron Dome, and any legislation conflating antisemitism and anti-zionism, as every other DSA-endorsed candidate has committed to, both nationally and in NYC.
As socialists, we know that we are stronger when we fight together, and that we can change and be changed by the struggle. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez has a historic opportunity to showcase democratic discipline by changing course from a position that weakens and breeds distrust among the socialist movement. She can exemplify the integrity and uncompromising commitment of a socialist in office who seeks to unify our movement by abiding by our democratically deliberated program. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez should show the world what it looks like to stand unafraid with and earn the support of a democratic socialist movement.