A group of 52 members of the New York State Assembly issued a joint statement on Tuesday denouncing the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) questionnaire that asked New York City Council candidates to agree “not to travel to Israel if elected… in solidarity with Palestinians living under occupation.”

“This blatantly antisemitic litmus test is abhorrent,” the lawmakers noted. “Singling out the only Jewish state – a strong democracy in the region, where women’s rights, freedom of speech, and religious freedom are protected — is detestable.” 

The signatories, some of whom have visited Israel as part of organized delegations, said that opposing trips to the Jewish State “cannot be rationalized.” 

“It is offensive, antisemitic, and dangerous, particularly at a time when antisemitism is on the rise in the United States and in the New York area,” the lawmakers stressed. “No political organization that embeds antisemitism into its platform should be welcome in the halls of our legislature.”