Larry David mocks socialists in satirical essay, drawing criticism over Israel jokes

Comedian Larry David sparked backlash after writing a satirical essay mocking the Democratic Socialists of America and its positions on Israel, immigration and political correctness. (Araya Doheny/Getty Images for HBO)

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Comedian Larry David drew criticism from democratic socialists after writing a satirical essay mocking the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), its anti-Israel positions and political correctness, while a California political activist mocked those who took offense at the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" creator's humor.

David's October 17 essay in Air Mail, titled "The View from Here," imagined the longtime Hollywood liberal joining the DSA and successfully proposing 12 increasingly over-the-top additions to the socialist organization's manifesto. His targets included immigration, policing, reparations, religious identity and restrictions on offensive comedy.

Among the most provocative proposals was David's imagined solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which involved transferring all of Israel's territory to Palestinians and relocating Israelis to a remote Pacific island.

Larry David proposed relocating Israelis to a remote Pacific island and renaming Jewish Americans the "Bagel People" in his satirical essay targeting the socialist organization. (2019 Getty Images)

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"We strongly believe in a two-state solution," he said. "To this end, we propose that Palestinians should be given all the land currently occupied by Israel and that Israel should be given Pitcairn Island in the South Pacific, where the weather is beautiful and grapefruits are aplenty. We think the Bagel People will be very happy there."

Lisa Cusack, president of the Don't LA My Burbank PAC, dismissed the outrage in a statement to Fox News Digital, suggesting David's critics were proving the comedian's point about political sensitivity.

"I just hope they’re all okay reading this. They seem to be really emotionally fragile and have a hard time understanding actual humor," Cusack said.

Larry David walks off the green on the 14th hole before the American Century Championship 2026 at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course on July 9, 2026, in Stateline, Nev. (ISI Photos via Getty Images)

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David also mocked progressive approaches to religious tolerance, proposing that White women wear hijabs on weekends in solidarity with Muslim women while Jewish Americans lose the right to refer to themselves as the "Chosen People."

In another proposal, the "Seinfeld" co-creator imagined a socialist society in which comedians who offend audiences would be sent to facilities for sensitivity training. Repeat offenders would face an even more unusual punishment.

"If, however, the re-programming is unsuccessful, the repeat offender will be sent to Pitcairn Island to live with the Bagel People," he wrote.

Demonstrators hold a Democratic Socialists of America banner ahead of a Rent Guidelines Board vote at El Museo del Barrio in New York on Thursday, June 25, 2026. (Bloomberg via Getty Images)

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The comedian's mock manifesto drew criticism from self-identified democratic socialists, several of whom questioned his comedic abilities and mocked his age, according to The New York Times.

Zack Wall, a 35-year-old Ohio resident who identified as a democratic socialist but said he was not a DSA member, told the Times that David's essay was disappointing, criticizing the quality of the jokes rather than his decision to target the organization.

"It was just so lowbrow and unfunny. It can’t be the same person who wrote 'Curb,'" Wall said.

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David's latest satire comes as democratic socialists gain influence within the Democratic Party, particularly through New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Mamdani has defended the growing socialist movement and candidates who support eliminating Immigration and Customs Enforcement, while declining to explicitly endorse Israel's identity as a Jewish state. The DSA has also publicly supported the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement against Israel and efforts to eliminate U.S. military assistance to the country.

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Fox News Digital reached out to David and the DSA for comment, but neither immediately responded.

CJ Womack is an associate editor at Fox News.

CJ joined Fox News Digital's team in 2026, which highlights the vital role journalism plays in shaping politics and culture. He has years of experience analyzing and reporting on the news media.

CJ graduated from Long Beach State University in 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Journalism. 

You can send news tips to cj.womack@fox.com and follow CJ on Twitter.