Renowned attorney and former Harvard Law professor Alan Dershowitz has publicly declared his departure from the Democratic Party, a decision sparked by what he calls the party’s alarming stance on Israel. In a recent video, Dershowitz expressed his disgust following last month’s Democratic National Convention, where anti-Israel protesters gathered outside chanting “Hamas will win” and defending the atrocities of October 7th.
“There were no fine people outside that convention, shouting their support for Hamas,” Dershowitz said. “I cannot be associated with a party that legitimizes such hate.”
Dershowitz, who has long been an outspoken defender of Israel, also criticized the convention’s lineup of speakers, including Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders, and Reverend Al Sharpton, calling it a stark contrast to his values. “That’s not my party anymore,” he stated, confirming his shift to an independent status.
“There were no fine people at the debate. Outside the convention center, people were standing and screaming, ‘Hamas will win,’ ‘We are all Hamas,’ and that there was nothing wrong with October 7th*. Someone even asked, ‘What’s wrong with October 7th?’ These people don’t make fine points, and I was absolutely disgusted by what I saw at the Democratic National Convention.
I’ve decided to leave the Democratic Party. I’m no longer a Democrat, I’m an independent. I will decide who to vote for at the last minute based on the totality of circumstances. I want to see how they deal with Iran and how they respond if Iran attacks the U.S. I want to see the current administration support Israel, so I won’t reveal my vote until maybe November 1st.
I’ve been gradually pushed away from the party over time. Kamala Harris’s failure to comply with her constitutional obligation to preside over the Senate during joint sessions, along with statements from Joe Biden, really moved me in that direction. But what ultimately pushed me over the edge was how the Democrats conducted their convention. I cannot be associated with a party that features speakers like AOC, Al Sharpton, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders. That’s not my party anymore.”
The October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel was a devastating and unprecedented assault that shocked the world. Here are the key details:
Scale and Impact
The attack resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths, including at least 43 American citizens[1][3]. Over 250 people were taken hostage, with more than 100 still being held captive by Hamas nearly a year later[3].
Nature of the Attack
Hamas deployed over 2,000 armed militants into southern Israel in the early morning hours[2]. The attackers targeted multiple civilian locations, including:
- Agricultural areas and communities
- The Nova music festival
- Homes and neighborhoods
The assault involved mass killings, kidnappings, and acts of sexual violence[2]. Hamas fighters deliberately targeted civilians, including families, elderly individuals, and young children[5].
International Response
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged several high-ranking Hamas officials in connection with the attack, including:
- Yahya Sinwar (Hamas leader in Gaza)
- Ismail Haniyeh (former Hamas chief)
- Muhammad Deif (military commander)
- Marwan Issa
- Ali Barakeh
- Khaled Meshal
These individuals face charges such as conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens, terrorism, and use of weapons of mass destruction[2][5].
Human Rights Perspective
Human Rights Watch conducted a month-long investigation and concluded that Hamas-led armed groups committed numerous war crimes during the October 7 attack[4]. These crimes included:
- Deliberate killings of civilians
- Torture
- Hostage-taking
- Looting
- Sexual and gender-based violence
The organization determined that the attack constituted both war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law[4].
The October 7 attack marked a significant escalation in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and led to widespread international condemnation of Hamas’ actions.
Citations:
[1] https://www.ajc.org/IsraelHamasWar
[2] https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/03/politics/justice-department-indicts-hamas-leaders/index.html
[3] https://www.ajc.org/news/how-many-americans-have-been-killed-by-hamas-before-and-after-october-7
[4] https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-human-rights-watch-war-crimes-567044302774ae10c18ff7e68ae57025
[5] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9wj285xyp8o
[6] https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2024-09-05/october-7-play-ucla-stage-reading-anniversary
[7] https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-terrorism-charges-against-senior-leaders-hamas
[8] https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/06/us/politics/new-york-terror-plot-jewish-center-isis.html
[9] https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pakistani-man-arrested-in-canada-for-plotting-terror-attack-in-new-york-on-october-7-hamas-strike-anniversary-101725674217746.html
[10] https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-terror-plot-arrest-new-york-c982020997f177894404dae26b442e16
Stay tuned for more on this evolving story, as Dershowitz’s exit from the Democratic Party signals a broader shift in political allegiances ahead of the 2024 elections.