An unexpected choice of reading material by President Joe Biden has sparked discussions during his family’s Nantucket holiday weekend.
According to Fox News, Biden was seen on Friday leaving Nantucket Bookworks with a copy of The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917-2017, a controversial book by Columbia University professor emeritus Rashid Khalidi, whose writings have been critical of Israel’s policies.
The book, which examines the history of Palestine through the lens of settler colonialism and resistance, has drawn widespread attention for its critique of Israel as a colonial power. While it remains unclear if Biden purchased the book or received it as a gift, the sighting comes amid ongoing tensions between the Biden administration and both pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups over U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine argues that modern Palestinian history can be understood as a colonial struggle, with various powers forcing Palestinians to relinquish their homeland. Khalidi, who is of Palestinian and Lebanese descent, has long been an outspoken critic of Israeli policies, particularly regarding the humanitarian toll in Gaza and the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
In the book, Khalidi reflects on key historical events, such as the British Mandate, the establishment of Israel in 1948, and subsequent wars, framing them as efforts to displace and subjugate the indigenous Palestinian population. He draws comparisons to other colonial conflicts worldwide, such as in Algeria and South Africa.
Khalidi has also publicly criticized Israel’s recent military actions in Gaza, especially following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that killed over 1,200 people in Israel. Speaking on the “Intercepted” podcast in November 2023, Khalidi said, “Ethnic cleansing. That’s not a political objective. They’re doing that. They’re driving the population of the Northern Gaza Strip into the Southern Gaza Strip.” Khalidi’s critiques have further fueled debates about Israel’s objectives and U.S. support for its actions.
President Biden has repeatedly affirmed his support for Israel but has faced backlash from both pro-Israel advocates and pro-Palestinian groups. This year, his administration paused shipments of heavy munitions to Israel and placed conditions on U.S. aid, leading to criticism from Israeli supporters. At the same time, pro-Palestinian activists have nicknamed him “Genocide Joe,” accusing him of complicity in civilian casualties in Gaza.
The timing of Biden’s encounter with Khalidi’s book is particularly significant, as it comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. Many Palestinian supporters view the book as an important counter-narrative to mainstream perspectives on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Meanwhile, others see it as a provocative choice for a sitting U.S. president who has consistently expressed support for Israel.
The Biden administration has also reportedly had fraught discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Behind closed doors, Biden has been critical of Netanyahu’s government policies, according to reports, further complicating perceptions of U.S.-Israel relations.
Khalidi’s book, published in 2020, predates the Abraham Accords brokered by former President Donald Trump, which normalized relations between Israel and several Muslim-majority nations. In The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine, Khalidi is critical of Trump’s policies, including moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and recognizing Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights. Khalidi also praises the First Intifada (1987-1993) as a “victory” for Palestinians in their struggle against Israeli occupation.
Raising eyebrows further, Khalidi has drawn parallels between historical settler-colonial conflicts and the Israeli-Palestinian situation, writing, “Settler-colonial confrontations with indigenous peoples have only ended in one of three ways: with the elimination or full subjugation of the native population, with the defeat and expulsion of the colonizer, or with the abandonment of colonial supremacy.” Such statements have made his works widely debated and controversial.
President Biden’s decision to carry Rashid Khalidi’s book during his Nantucket visit highlights the ongoing complexities of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Amid rising tensions and criticisms from opposing sides, his actions have sparked questions about his stance on Israel and Palestine.
Moving forward, the Biden administration faces mounting pressure to address these concerns while maintaining its diplomatic commitments in the region. Whether this incident will influence public perception or policy decisions remains uncertain, but it underscores the delicate balance Biden must strike in navigating this contentious issue.
