The Democratic Socialists of America — the organization backing New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani — denounced the “conditional” cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas and called for continued resistance against the Jewish state in a statement released Monday.
The DSA declaration titled “Until Palestinian Liberation” came days after Israel and Hamas agreed to halt fighting and begin exchanging hostages and prisoners under a US- and Arab-brokered deal.
The far-left group said the truce “will not end Israel’s assault on the Palestinian people or the theft and occupation of Palestinian lands,” describing it as a “conditional cease-fire” that “does not wash the hands of the ruling class that … continued to fuel and arm genocide while stoking regional war.”
While acknowledging “the relief that may be afforded to Palestinians under the agreement in humanitarian assistance and cessation of Israeli military operations,” the DSA said it harbors “no illusions that Israel will honor any negotiated agreement that preserves Palestinian life or self-determination.”
The group asserted that “past cease-fires only slowed the carnage” and that Israel “continued military action with impunity.”
The 85,000-member socialist organization said it supports “the end of Israel’s colonization and occupation of all Arab lands,” “equality,” and “the right of all refugees to return to their homes and properties.”
It pledged to “break the gears of the US imperial war machine that enables Israel” and to intensify boycott and divestment campaigns against the Jewish state.
The DSA statement was released as Israel and Hamas began implementing the cease-fire plan brokered by President Trump — which included the release of 20 living Israeli hostages and the return of remains of deceased hostages in exchange for roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The deal allows humanitarian aid into Gaza and opens discussions on reconstruction and governance overseen by international agencies.
Mamdani had called for an end to “occupation and apartheid” in a tardy statement Monday as the living Israeli hostages were returned after two years in Hamas’ captivity.
“Today’s scenes of Israelis and Palestinians are profoundly moving: Israeli hostages being freed and families reunited after years of fear, uncertainty, and torture; the first days in Gaza without relentless Israeli bombardment of Palestinians as families return to rubble and loved ones freed from detention,” he said.
The mayoral race frontrunner’s campaign has been closely tied to the DSA.
The group endorsed him before his official mayoral launch, and campaign filings show payments of more than $33,000 to the New York City DSA for texting and fundraising services.
At a recent chapter meeting, local leaders said “our endorsed candidates are expected to follow the will of the membership” and noted that “a lot of Zohran staff are DSA members and leaders.”
The DSA’s national leadership has also drawn attention for its internal policies on Israel.
At its August convention, the group adopted a resolution threatening to expel members who reject the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign or cooperate with pro-Israel organizations.
The measure reaffirmed the 1977 Palestinian National Council principles known as “al-Thawabit,” which endorse “resistance by any means necessary.”
Mamdani has previously said that “my platform is not the same as national DSA” but has not commented directly on its Middle East positions.
Over the weekend, the Queens lawmaker ran in the “New York City Gaza 5K,” a fundraising event for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).
The agency has been accused by Israeli officials of employing workers involved in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
Mamdani posted photos of himself running and described UNRWA as providing “critical humanitarian aid and services to Palestinians in Gaza.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) criticized the event, saying on social media that Mamdani was “raising funds for an organization that participated in the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks and brutally held hostages captive.”
The DSA said in its statement on Monday that “stability in the region is dependent on Israel and its allies finally being held accountable for their decades-long list of war crimes and imperial aggression.”
It concluded: “Until justice is rendered for all Palestinians, the struggle for liberation continues.”
The Post has sought comment from Mamdani.
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