DSA Co-Chair: Oct 7 ‘Inevitable,’ Calls Israel ‘Concentration Camp’
DSA Leader’s Controversial Comments on Israel, Police, and Foreign Policy Explained Simply
What Happened?
Megan Romer, one of the two leaders (co-chairs) of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), gave an interview where she shared some very strong and controversial opinions. The DSA is a left-wing political group that has been influencing some Democratic Party elections recently.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what she said and why people are talking about it.
Key Statements Made by Megan Romer
On the October 7 Hamas Attack
She called the attack "inevitable" and blamed Israeli policies.
- Romer compared the Gaza Strip to an "open-air concentration camp."
- She argued that when people are denied basic rights, food, and security for a long time, rebellion is expected.
- She said this was not a defense of harming civilians, but an explanation of cause and effect.
- Fact: The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and sparked the current war in Gaza.
DSA’s "Red Line" on Israel
- Supporting military defense or economic aid for Israel is a "solid red line" for DSA members.
- Romer said she would have attended an anti-Israel rally on October 8, 2023 (the day after the attack) if she lived in NYC.
On the "One-State Solution"
- DSA advocates for a "free Palestine with the capital in Jerusalem."
- This means a single, shared state (often called a "one-state solution") rather than separate Israeli and Palestinian states.
On Hamas and LGBTQ+ Rights
- When asked about Hamas’ record on queer rights, Romer admitted: "I would not call Hamas queer-friendly."
- However, she claimed most queer people killed in Palestine have been killed by Israeli bombs, not Hamas.
On "Defund the Police"
- Romer doubled down on the slogan, clarifying: "That means zero funding."
- Money should be moved from police departments to social services, schools, and after-school programs.
- Note: Many DSA-backed candidates in big races have distanced themselves from this position.
On Cuba as a Model
- Asked which country the US should follow, Romer pointed to Cuba.
- She called it having "the most LGBTQ-friendly constitution in the world."
- She downplayed concerns about Cuba’s authoritarian government.
On Ukraine and Russia
- DSA is skeptical of sending US money and weapons to Ukraine to defend against Russia’s invasion.
- Romer argued: "It doesn’t make anything better."
[!IMPORTANT]
Why This Matters
- The DSA has grown in influence and helped candidates win Democratic primaries across the country.
- These positions give Republicans ammunition to criticize the Democratic Party as too radical.
- Several DSA-backed candidates have tried to distance themselves from the most controversial stances (like defunding police) during general elections.
Summary
| Topic | Megan Romer’s Position |
|---|---|
| Oct. 7 Attack | "Inevitable" result of Israeli policies; Gaza = "open-air concentration camp" |
| Israel Support | "Red line" — DSA opposes military/economic aid to Israel |
| Solution | One-state solution: "Free Palestine with capital in Jerusalem" |
| Hamas & LGBTQ+ | Hamas not "queer-friendly," but blames Israel for queer deaths |
| Police Funding | Zero funding — move all money to social services |
| Country Model | Cuba — praises LGBTQ+ constitution, downplays authoritarianism |
| Ukraine Aid | Opposes US weapons/money — "doesn’t make anything better" |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the DSA?
The Democratic Socialists of America is the largest socialist organization in the US. It’s not a political party, but its members run as Democrats and have won seats in Congress, state legislatures, and city councils.
2. Who is Megan Romer?
She is one of two national co-chairs (top leaders) of the DSA, serving alongside Ashik Siddique. She speaks for the organization nationally.
3. What does "defund the police" actually mean here?
Romer was very clear: zero dollars for police departments. All that money would go to schools, housing, mental health, and community programs instead. This is more extreme than what most mainstream Democrats support.
4. Why did she praise Cuba?
She cited Cuba’s constitution, which includes strong LGBTQ+ protections on paper. Critics point out Cuba is a one-party authoritarian state where political dissent is suppressed.
5. How are other Democrats reacting?
Many moderate Democrats are frustrated because these positions make it harder to win general elections. Some DSA-backed candidates have publicly disagreed with Romer on issues like police funding and Israel.
This article summarizes a New York Post report on an interview Megan Romer gave to The New Yorker’s David Remnick. All quotes and positions attributed to her come from that interview.
