NYC DSA chapters split over Instagram post praising Oct. 7 Hamas attacks

An Instagram post shared by three New York City Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) groups praised the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, describing them as resistance against imperialism and accusing Israel of ongoing genocide. The message was intended to promote a protest at City Hall, but it drew swift backlash. Both the New York City Young Democratic Socialists of America and the City College of New York YDSA chapter subsequently retracted their affiliation with the post, while New School YDSA left it up as of the following day.

Representative Ritchie Torres publicly denounced the post, arguing that celebrating political violence inevitably leads to more violence. The incident underscores the DSA's internal struggle to define the limits of its political positions as it gains influence in U.S. politics.