Too Little Too Late - An Empty Reversal on Israel and Hamas

The Twin Cities chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) released another statement about the Israel/Hamas conflict, and it’s not an apology for their gross antisemitic post earlier this week.

Once again, they’re pointing fingers at Israel for the turmoil in the region. Their initial statement was riddled with vitriol and devoid of empathy for the innocent victims caught in the crossfire of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But now, in the face of public backlash and outrage, they're attempting to backtrack on their original stance.

However, it's essential to scrutinize their newfound "clarification" carefully, as it reeks of insincerity and an attempt to salvage their reputation rather than a genuine commitment to justice, empathy, and peace.

The Twin Cities DSA's original statement was a vehement diatribe against Israel, filled with accusations and a complete lack of sympathy for the victims of Hamas terrorism. In their latest statement, they've not only failed to take responsibility for their inflammatory rhetoric but have also avoided acknowledging the real cause of the crisis - Hamas terrorism.

In their attempt to backtrack, the DSA implied that they were misunderstood, and their critics were unfairly attacking them. They failed to address the severe damage their words have inflicted, not only on Israel but also on the Jewish community, who are concerned about their safety and the resurgence of anti-Semitic sentiments.

Before their recent attempt to distance themselves from Hamas, Twin Cities DSA remained silent on the ongoing rocket attacks on Israeli civilians. They failed to condemn terrorism or offer condolences to the victims. This selective silence raises questions about their genuine commitment to peace and justice.

It's easy to issue statements in response to public outrage, but the damage has already been done. Their initial statement left no room for ambiguity, accusing Israel of being "heartless colonizers" and comparing the plight of Palestinians to the tragic death of George Floyd, a grievous and inappropriate analogy. Walking back their words now does not erase the harm they've caused.

The Twin Cities DSA claims to embrace empathy and compassion for all, yet their actions speak differently. Their empathy appears to extend only to those who share their ideological views, leaving no room for understanding or compassion towards those who don't align with their political agenda.

Twin Cities DSA's attempt to distance themselves from their initial statement is nothing more than damage control in the face of justified public backlash. Their selective empathy, evasive tactics, and unwillingness to condemn terrorism until forced to do so demonstrate a lack of integrity and a troubling commitment to divisive politics over the pursuit of peace and justice.