DSA and October 7: No Excuses for Hamas Terror
October 21, 2026
October 7 deserves condemnation. Never celebration.
Hamas murdered civilians and took families hostage. There are no excuses for those crimes. No political slogan justifies them.
The Democratic Socialists of America’s statements, rally promotion, and leadership rhetoric deserve scrutiny. Survivors deserve to be heard, and public figures must answer when their words minimize terrorist violence.
Quick Answer: Why Does DSA’s October 7 Record Deserve Scrutiny?
The documented record includes DSA’s national statement describing the attacks as “not unprovoked,” NYC-DSA’s promotion of an October 8 rally, and national co-chair Megan Romer’s description of October 7 as “largely inevitable.” These statements and decisions should be examined alongside the experiences of Hamas’s victims.
1. DSA’s National Statement Deserves Examination
On October 7, 2023, DSA released a statement condemning the killing of civilians while also declaring: “This was not unprovoked.” The statement encouraged supporters to join demonstrations against funding Israel.
That framing deserves scrutiny.
Political arguments about the conflict cannot excuse the deliberate murder and kidnapping of civilians. Condemning civilian deaths must mean holding the perpetrators responsible for choosing to commit them.
Hamas bears responsibility for Hamas’s crimes.
2. NYC-DSA Must Answer for What It Promoted
NYC-DSA promoted the October 8, 2023 Times Square rally. It did not organize the event.
On October 10, the chapter apologized for the confusion its promotional post caused and for failing to make its values explicit. The rally had drawn criticism over rhetoric about the attacks.
Promotion matters. Organizations choose which events and messages they put before their audiences.
DSA’s leaders should explain how they evaluate the rhetoric they amplify and where they draw the line against celebrating terrorist violence.
3. Calling October 7 “Inevitable” Requires Scrutiny
In an interview with The New Yorker’s David Remnick, DSA national co-chair Megan Romer said:
“I think that October 7th was largely inevitable.”
Romer also said she probably would have attended the October 8 rally had she been able. She denied defending harm to civilians or noncombatants.
That denial belongs in the record. So does scrutiny of her argument.
Describing an attack as inevitable risks obscuring the choices of those who planned and carried it out. Hamas chose to murder civilians and take hostages. Its victims deserve an account that preserves that responsibility.
4. Maya Regev’s Experience Shows the Human Cost
Maya Regev was kidnapped from the Nova music festival on October 7 and held by Hamas for 50 days.
On September 30, 2026, she shared her experience at UT Austin during a separate counter-event organized in response to Hasan Piker’s appearance. Her testimony brought the reality of Hamas captivity directly before students.
Piker’s event, hosted by University Democrats, provides relevant context. Earlier that year, during an April 12 appearance on Pod Save America, he framed a hypothetical choice as a lesser-evil calculation and said:
“I would vote for Hamas over Israel every single time.”
The central issue extends beyond one speaker. Public discussion must never reduce victims’ experiences to an inconvenience for a political argument.
Survivors deserve to be heard. Their suffering must never be minimized.
5. Rejecting the Normalization of Terror Matters for America
Hamas is a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization. The State Department designated it in October 1997. American citizens were also among those murdered in the October 7 attacks.
At Secure America Now, we believe America’s security requires a firm rejection of terrorist violence and the rhetoric that makes excuses for it.
Political movements, campus organizations, and influential public figures should face scrutiny when they portray terrorist organizations as acceptable political choices or minimize attacks on civilians.
America must stand with Israel, honor the victims, and reject the glorification of Hamas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did DSA organize the October 8 Times Square rally?
NYC-DSA promoted the rally but did not organize it. The chapter later apologized for confusion caused by its promotional post and for failing to make its values explicit.
What did Megan Romer say about October 7?
The DSA national co-chair described October 7 as “largely inevitable” during her New Yorker interview. She also denied defending harm to civilians. Both statements are relevant when evaluating her argument.
Who is Maya Regev?
Maya Regev is an October 7 survivor who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival and held by Hamas for 50 days. She later shared her experience with students in Austin.
Was Hasan Piker’s UT Austin event hosted by DSA?
The event was hosted by University Democrats. Maya Regev spoke at a separate counter-event. These were distinct events organized by different groups.
How can I take action?
Use Secure America Now’s ActionButton below to contact Congress about rejecting collectivist policies that undermine America’s strength and security.
Stand With Israel. Make Your Voice Heard.
October 7 was terrorism. Never justified. Never a cause for celebration.
Organizations and public figures must answer for rhetoric that excuses, minimizes, or glorifies terrorist violence.
Honor the victims. Listen to survivors. Reject excuses for Hamas.
