Prominent attorney and Harvard Law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz has officially announced his resignation from the Democratic Party.
His decision comes after citing anti-Israel sentiments within the party and at the recent Democratic National Convention, Fox News reported.
Dershowitz expressed his disillusionment during a radio interview with Zev Brenner on "Talkline with Zev Brenner." He criticized the Democratic National Convention for legitimizing anti-Israel speakers and for the presence of anti-Israel protesters at the event venue.
"The most anti-Jewish, anti-Israel, anti-Zionist convention I've experienced," Alan Dershowitz remarked about the DNC. "I was disgusted at the Democratic National Convention. Disgusted."
The attorney noted that his unease with the Democratic Party had been growing over time, pushed by multiple incidents. Specifically, he mentioned Vice President Kamala Harris' absence during a joint session of Congress addressed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which many Democrats boycotted.
Alan Dershowitz continued, explaining his shift to independent status due to the DNC's actions: "I am no longer a Democrat. I am an Independent."
Criticism of the Democratic Party did not end at the convention. Dershowitz accused specific figures within the party, such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Rev. Al Sharpton of harboring anti-Israel views, contributing significantly to his growing discomfort.
The tensions within the Democratic Party surrounding Israel have been further exacerbated by external conflicts, particularly following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.
Additionally, Dershowitz's comments come at a time when internal rifts within U.S. party lines regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict have become more pronounced.
Many Democrats urge a ceasefire and call for Israel to show restraint, but this stance does not reflect a uniform party position, as some members refrain from condemning Hamas equally.
Furthermore, in his radio interview, Dershowitz expressed his strategic wait-and-see approach regarding the upcoming U.S. presidential election. He plans to base his voting decision, in part, on how the current administration handles relations with Iran and supports Israel.
Specifically, he stated, "I want to see how they deal with Iran. I want to encourage the current administration to support Israel," indicating that his future political decisions would hinge on these critical foreign policy issues.
Ultimately, the discourse surrounding these international and party dynamics highlights a pivotal moment for U.S. politics as it navigates complex global relationships and internal disagreements on foreign policy. Alan Dershowitz's departure from the Democratic Party, therefore, underscores a broader narrative of shifting allegiances and ideological divides, marking a significant moment in the intersection of U.S. and Israeli political affairs.
