College Democrats of America Endorse Pro-Palestinian Campus Protests and Call for Cease-Fire in Gaza

College Democrats of America Endorse Pro-Palestinian Campus Protests, Call on Biden for Cease-Fire in Gaza

In a bold move, the College Democrats of America, the student organization of the Democratic Party, have officially endorsed pro-Palestinian campus protests and called on President Biden to support a permanent cease-fire in Gaza. The organization’s executive board approved a statement by a vote of 8 to 2, praising student protesters for their moral clarity in recognizing the destructive and unjust nature of the conflict in Gaza.

The statement comes in the midst of widespread pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses across the country, sparked by a police crackdown at Columbia University. Students have set up encampments and continued their protests even after facing suspensions and arrests. The protests have escalated at other universities, including Portland State University and California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt.

The College Democrats denounced MAGA Republicans and lawmakers for smearing all protesters as hateful, while also condemning rising incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia. They emphasized that calling for the freedom of Palestinians is not antisemitic and criticized the Israeli government’s actions as genocidal.

The organization’s statement also criticized President Biden and elected Democrats for not uniting behind calls for an immediate, permanent cease-fire and a push for a two-state solution. This rebuke marks a significant departure from the organization’s historical alignment with the Democratic Party.

As young voters, the College Democrats emphasized their commitment to re-electing President Biden but reserved the right to criticize the party when it fails to represent youth voices. The statement called for a shift in US policies towards Israel and Palestine, urging for a more balanced approach that prioritizes peace and justice.

While President Biden has called for a temporary cease-fire and supports a two-state solution, the College Democrats are pushing for more substantive changes in US policies towards the conflict. The organization’s decision to release this statement reflects a growing shift in youth perspectives on the Israel-Palestine issue within the Democratic Party.

The statement was met with supermajority support from the College Democrats’ executive board, with only two members voting against it. The organization’s decision to endorse pro-Palestinian protests and call for a cease-fire in Gaza underscores the growing divide within the Democratic Party on this contentious issue.