Biden spotted with book that accuses Israel of settler-colonialism

President Joe Biden was seen holding a controversial book about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during a Black Friday shopping trip in Nantucket, Massachusetts. The book, titled “The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917-2017,” was authored by Rashid Khalidi, a Palestinian-American historian and professor emeritus at Columbia University14.

Khalidi’s book presents a critical perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, describing it as a colonial war against the indigenous Palestinian population. The author argues that the modern history of Palestine can be understood as a struggle against various parties attempting to force Palestinians to relinquish their homeland14.

Key points from the book include:

1. It characterizes the establishment of Israel as an act of colonialism6.
2. The book covers six major episodes in Palestinian history, framing them as “declarations of war” on the Palestinian people5.
3. Khalidi criticizes Western powers, particularly Britain and the United States, for their role in supporting Israel2.
4. The author draws parallels between the Palestinian struggle and other historical instances of settler colonialism7.

The president’s choice of reading material has sparked discussions and drawn mixed reactions:

• It remains unclear whether Biden purchased the book or if it was given to him14.
• The White House has not yet commented on the incident8.
• When asked about Biden’s selection of his book, Khalidi responded, “My reaction is that this is four years too late”6.

Biden’s public association with this book has raised questions about his stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict:

1. The president has consistently proclaimed himself a supporter of Israel, famously stating, “You don’t have to be a Jew to be a Zionist”8.
2. However, Biden has faced criticism from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups for his administration’s actions8.
3. Earlier this year, Biden temporarily halted shipments of heavy munitions to Israel, citing concerns over civilian casualties in Gaza8.
4. Pro-Palestinian activists have criticized Biden’s support for Israel’s actions, with some protests labeling him “Genocide Joe”18.

This incident occurs against the backdrop of ongoing tensions in the Middle East:

• The October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and the taking of hostages14.
• Israel’s subsequent military response in Gaza has led to significant civilian casualties and humanitarian concerns48.
• Biden has reportedly criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in private conversations over the civilian toll in Gaza4.

The president’s choice of reading material, whether intentional or not, has reignited discussions about the complex dynamics of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.