US President Joe Biden was recently seen holding a copy of The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine, written by Rashid Khalidi, a professor at Columbia University. The photo, taken during Biden’s Black Friday outing in Nantucket, surprised many.
Khalidi, a scholar of Palestinian and Lebanese descent, reacted to the image, saying it came “four years too late.” His book, which was released in 2020, discusses the history of Palestine and its resistance to the creation of Israel. Khalidi criticizes US foreign policy on Israel and expresses strong views about both Israel and US government actions. He also criticized former President Donald Trump’s administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Biden, who has long identified as a Zionist, has faced criticism from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups. His public support for Israel has sometimes drawn strong reactions, especially in the case of the Gaza conflict. Biden has paused some military aid to Israel but still showed support after an attack in Israel in October 2023. He has faced backlash from pro-Palestinian activists who accuse him of complicity in the ongoing situation in Gaza.
Khalidi’s book emphasizes the importance of equality and justice for all people. It also critiques how the media reports on the conflict and calls for a future based on fairness. The book describes the Israeli-Palestinian situation as a long-standing conflict, and Khalidi believes the only way forward is through compromise and understanding, like other historical examples such as in South Africa and Zimbabwe.
In addition, Biden recently supported a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and called for peace efforts to continue. Despite his efforts for peace, his actions continue to receive mixed reactions from both sides of the conflict.
