The statement is a show of the vast generational divide on Palestine within the party.
In a bold statement released this week, college Democrats broke from President Joe Biden and the party establishment by condemning the administration for its support of Israel’s “destructive, genocidal, and unjust” assault on Gaza and throwing their support behind the wave of pro-Palestine protests sweeping the U.S.
The College Democrats of America, the Democratic National Committee’s official collegiate arm, said that they support student protesters’ “moral clarity” on the assault on Gaza, as well as their calls for a permanent ceasefire. The group drew parallels between the current protests and previous movements for civil rights, LGBTQ equality, and an end to the Vietnam War.
“The end of the conflict and release of hostages is a goal we should all share as Americans in pursuit of a more just international community. The response to these protests by the college administrations, on the contrary, deserves the strongest condemnation,” the group said. “Arresting, suspending, and evicting students without any due process is not only legally dubious but morally reprehensible.”
The statement was approved by College Democrats’ executive board in an 8 to 2 vote, with dissatisfaction around Biden’s support of Israel having been present among the group’s ranks for some time.
