It’s clear that those protesting for a cease-fire and a free Palestine through civil disobedience, through uncommitted votes, through fundraisers to evacuate Palestinian families—even, in the case of Aaron Bushnell, through the sacrifice of their own life—are far more clear in their purpose and strategy than Joe Biden. So far, Biden’s only been able to offer his constituents
catchphrases, theoretical, temporary pauses in the violence instead of a real cease-fire, and, most gallingly, verbal posturing about the supposed safety Israel provides rather than a movement to save real, human lives that Israel is obliterating.
Jewish and Muslim Americans alike deserve, and demand, more than slogans. Gaza deserves seriousness. Those mobilizing for Palestinian rights here in the US—from
Girl Scouts in Missouri to
grandmothers in New York—deserve that, too. Biden would be well-advised not to take their votes for granted. And he ought to stop acting as if Jewish Americans are Israel’s problem—and, even more importantly, stop using Jews as cover for his ongoing support of genocide