'إلى الجحيم، سيد بايدن': ردود أفعال فلسطينية على انسحاب جو بايدن من انتخابات ٢٠٢٤

U.S. President Joe Biden has dropped out of the 2024 presidential election and endorsed his vice president, Kamala Harris, as the democratic nominee. For some time, Biden has been receiving increased pressure from a multitude of different groups to back out of the presidential race. As reactions and analyses begin to pour out, Palestinians and pro-Palestinian Americans have been left out of the story. 

Since the onset of the genocide in Gaza, Palestinians and their allies have been some of the most unacknowledged, misunderstood, and misrepresented groups in the media. Despite this, they have remained steadfast in their cause and protest. Although Western media will not recognize the work of Palestinian organizers and their supporters, they have consistently been the most vocal about their anger and refusal to vote for Biden in the upcoming 2024 election.

Anti-genocide advocates have been adamant at holding Biden accountable for aiding and abetting war crimes in the Occupied Gaza Strip. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. During this year's Democratic primaries, over 650,000 registered Democrats cast their ballot against Biden, including by voting “uncommitted.” 

Even with an organized movement against him, Biden was determined to run against Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump. White House and campaign aides, however, revealed their shock at his abrupt departure from the race, stating they only found out once Biden’s resignation letter was published on X. 

After thousands of protests across the nation, including multiple in front of the White House, Democrats are yet to acknowledge the size and power of the pro-Palestine movement. Silence is a strategic move in politics, as recognition equates to extending legitimacy to protesters. This is precisely why the rare response from Biden throughout the last ten months has been to defame protesters with false claims of “antisemitism.”

Stuck in a state of Palestinian denial, most political commentators are required to chalk up his decision to a bad debate, providing partial context and zero intersectional analysis. It is ridiculous to not attribute even some of Biden’s decision to drop out to the pressure from pro-Palestine voters and the power they have consistently exhibited through protest since October of 2023. 

Palestinians have voiced their opinions on Biden’s decision to drop out. Ramy Abdu, chairman of the Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, wrote on X, “Biden announced his withdrawal from the U.S. presidential race. Yet, for us Palestinians, his name will always be associated with the genocide committed by Israel under his support. To hell with you, Mr. Biden.”

Ali Abunimah, director of the Electronic Intifada wrote in response to Biden’s letter, “If the genocidal monster and lifelong aggressive warmonger and war criminal @JoeBiden is not fit to run for re-election, he's not fit to have his fingers on the nuclear trigger for another second. He needs to be removed from office and face justice for his crimes.” 

Author and sociology professor Eman Abdelhadi weighed in, “Biden’s polling dropped when he decided to enact a genocide with our money. He cannot win because our movement held him accountable. Biden stepping down is a victory, and we will hold Harris accountable too.”

Poet Rami Kanazi wrote, “Send Biden to The Hague. His funding of extermination camps is what should have taken him down… The Democratic Party all have blood on their hands.”

Palestinians understand the inner workings of American politics because they are deeply and personally impacted by U.S. political decisions. Palestinians and their allies feel that there is no reason to celebrate Kamala Harris’s nomination, as she is viewed as merely a figurehead who will continue Biden’s legacy. 

The New York Times reported that Democrats will be voting on the presidential nomination on Aug. 1 and that, according to the Associated Press, Kamala will likely receive the nomination. A coalition of pro-Palestine organizations, however, are planning a ‘March on the DNC’ in Chicago during the scheduled Democratic National Convention late-August. Prism reported on a statement by the coalition that said, “When it comes to the genocide in Gaza there is no difference between Biden, Harris, or any of the likely candidates for the nomination.” 

Harris has been the sitting vice president during the genocide in Gaza. She has supported the decision to send 2,000-pound bombs to the Israeli regime, which have been used to destroy entire districts, killing tens of thousands of Palestinians. Aljazeera reported that, in December of 2023, Harris affirmed her stance the Occupation’s genocidal campaign, stating “Israel has a right to defend itself. And we [Biden and Harris] will remain steadfast in that conviction.”

This past week, Harris met with Netanyahu behind closed door and reiterated her “unwavering commitment” to Israel. She also publicly declared that “it is time for this war to end and end in a way where Israel is secure, all the hostages are released, the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza ends.”

Her remarks, however, were not well received. Many criticized her idleness for the past 10 months and the stark contrast between her words and the bloody reality on the ground, which has been made possible by the unconditional support provided by the U.S. administration to the Israeli regime. 

The former Greek finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis, shared an Aljazeera report on X about recent Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. He wrote, “While Kamala Harris waxes lyrical about her telling Netanyahu that an immediate ceasefire is needed, he laughs [and] orders intense bombardment of population centres in North & South Gaza. So much for the new Democratic nominee's resolved & powers of persuasion.”

Throughout her political career, Harris has accepted money from pro-Israel lobbies and has a track record of openly supporting Israel. She has spoken AIPAC conferences twice, in 2017 and 2018. 

The Palestine movement — as reflected in statements, reports and at protests in the U.S. — may have welcomed the news of Biden dropping out, marking his legacy as ‘Genocide Joe.’ But they are not celebrating the upcoming nomination of his vice president, Kamala Harris, in his place.