After Backlash, MN Socialists Condemn Attacks On Israeli Civilians

MINNEAPOLIS — Following backlash from several high-profile Democrats in Minnesota, the Twin Cities chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America issued a new statement Thursday to "clarify" its position on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

On Monday, the DSA released a "statement of Solidarity with Palestine" which solely condemned Israel and called for "justice for our Palestinian relatives."

The initial letter did not mention any Israeli victims of last weekend's Hamas terrorist attack, which killed hundreds of Jewish civilians, including infants and women.

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"We are resolved to enshrine the right to freedom of movement in Palestine, in the USA, and around the globe, and to fight border fascism wherever it rears its hideous head," the DSA wrote.

"We are resolved to proclaim 'From the River, to the Sea, Palestine will be free!' today and until liberation."

Democrats — including Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Democratic-Farmer-Labor chairman Ken Martin publicly condemned the statement. Martin called it "garbage" and "antisemitic.".

Nine Jewish state legislators issued public statements condemning the remarks.

"We grieve for those who have been killed in Israel and Palestine," the DSA wrote Thursday. "We strongly condemn attacks on civilians by Hamas."

The letter also stated that "We also strongly condemn attacks on civilians by the government of Israel and the IDF" and that "to condemn the actions of a government is not the same thing as condemning its people."