A faction of the Democratic Socialists of America has expressed support for a controversial open letter. This letter contends that Elias Rodriguez, accused of the murder of two staff members from the Israeli embassy, acted appropriately in his attempt to prevent what it labels as ‘genocide.’ The statement was publicized by the Palestinian activist organization known as Tariq El-Tahrir.
The Liberation Caucus, a division of the Democratic Socialists of America, backed the letter publicly. However, other branches within the DSA expressed disagreement with Rodriguez’s alleged actions. The discord within the party has been noted by those both within and outside of their ranks.
Andrew Cuomo, the ex-governor of New York who is currently running for the position of New York City mayor, expressed stern criticism of the letter. He called on his election rivals within the primary to display the same level of condemnation.
The letter suggests that the actions of Elias Rodriguez, which transpired on May 21, 2025, are a legitimate form of resistance against the Zionist state and its actions in Gaza. With cries of ‘Free Palestine’, Rodriguez is said to have confessed to eliminating Yaron Lischinsky, aged 30, and Sarah Milgrim, aged 26, outside the Capital Jewish Museum, located in Washington, D.C.
The nature of the situation was described in the letter as a ‘justified’ response to nearly two years of ceaseless and horrific violence incited by the Zionist campaign. Among other things, Israel is accused of upholding a supremacist perspective and cementing a short-lived settler colony on Palestinian territories.
In an incendiary claim, the letter suggests that international law provides a justification for violent actions taken to halt ‘genocide’. More specifically, it proposes that resistance is not only an inevitable reaction to the oppression imposed by Zionists, but also inherently just and legitimate.
The letter received public agreement from a total of 33 organizations and a single individual. The overall Democratic Socialists of America, however, did not back the letter. Regardless, one of its party caucuses, the Liberation Caucus, was among the public endorsers.
The DSA Liberation Caucus commented on their support for the letter, stating they are proud to support such a powerful message and calling for the freedom of Elias Rodriguez, along with all other political prisoners.
The Democratic Socialists of America has a membership exceeding 92,000, following the presidential run of Senator Bernie Sanders, an Independent from Vermont. The party has previously endorsed numerous Democratic politicians, contributing to the successful elections of representatives such as Rashida Tlaib from Michigan and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York, among others.
Interestingly, the party withdrew its backing of Ocasio-Cortez last year. This move was in response to her affirmative vote on a resolution acknowledging Israel’s ‘right to exist.’
Criticisms of Rodriguez’s violent action were expressed by the New York City chapter of DSA. These criticisms, however, were opposed by numerous members of the DSA, creating more internal tension within the party.
The Liberation Caucus subsequently published on Wednesday that its group represents one of many ideological streams within the party. They highlighted the fact that others have mistreated the statement they supported as a representation of the beliefs of the entire party, which they deem as incorrect.
Andrew Cuomo, once again, issued criticism of the letter, calling others in the mayoral race to follow suit. In his view, the open letter represented a disrespectful and appalling disrespect for human life and legal standards. He labeled this incident as a clear hate crime that must be met with absolute intolerance.
According to Cuomo, the labeling of Rodriguez as a ‘political prisoner’ skews the reality of his situation. Rodriguez is currently in incarceration not due to his political beliefs, but due to charges of murder. In his critique, Cuomo drew attention to the fact that several of his mayorship competitors are DSA members or have received support from them.
Cuomo’s concluding remarks called on his competitors to denounce this provoking stance which he sees as repugnant not only to the Jewish community but to all law-abiding citizens of the United States.