DSA Co-Chair Blames Israel for Oct. 7 Attack, Calls Gaza 'Concentration Camp'

Megan Romer, a national co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has attributed the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack to Israeli policies, asserting that the events were "in many ways, inevitable." Romer also characterized the Gaza Strip as an "open-air concentration camp."

In a recent interview with The New Yorker, Romer explained her perspective, stating, "If you put people into an open-air concentration camp and deny them basic rights, dignity, food, and the ability to live with minimal security for so long, you have to expect that eventually they will rebel." She clarified that this statement was not intended to defend harm to civilians.

The Oct. 7 attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and initiated a significant conflict in the Gaza Strip. Romer indicated that she would have attended a rally against Israel the day after the attack had she been in New York City at the time.

Regarding the DSA's political platform, Romer stated the organization advocates for a "free Palestine with the capital in Jerusalem," which she described as a "one-state solution."

When questioned about Hamas, Romer acknowledged that the group has "flaws," noting, "I would not call Hamas queer-friendly." She added, "I would not say that you can get a lot of social rights when you're under siege. I think most queer people that have been killed in Palestine have been killed by Israeli bombs."

During the interview, Romer also addressed other aspects of the DSA's platform, including the position of defunding the police. "That means zero funding," she said. "It means taking money away from police departments and investing it elsewhere—fully funding social services, schools, and after-school programs."

She pointed to Cuba as a model for the U.S., praising its constitution as "the most LGBTQ-friendly in the world" while downplaying concerns about its government. Romer also expressed skepticism about U.S. support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, arguing, "We don't believe in pouring American money and weapons anywhere in the world. It doesn't make anything better."