President Joe Biden's Black Friday outing in Nantucket stirred surprise when he was seen holding a book that sharply criticizes Israel, The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine, authored by Rashid Khalidi.

The book’s contents contrast with Biden’s longstanding support for Israel, raising eyebrows among onlookers familiar with his public stance on the matter, as the Daily Mail reports.

The incident unfolded as Biden, accompanied by his family, spent the day in Nantucket. He was seen with the book The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine, a work by Columbia University professor emeritus Rashid Khalidi, known for its criticism of the Zionist movement and the Palestinian situation. Khalidi has described the ongoing conflict as the oppression of one person by another.

Biden, who has long expressed strong support for Israel, has famously stated, “If there were not an Israel, we'd have to invent one.”

His support for Israel has been one of the consistent pillars of his political career, making his public choice to hold Khalidi’s book particularly noteworthy. The book, a detailed account of the Palestinian struggle, offers a perspective sympathetic to Palestinians and highly critical of Israeli policies, aligning with a Palestinian narrative of settler colonialism.

The book has drawn mixed reviews. One critic called it “a highly partisan account from the Palestinian perspective,” noting its one-sided viewpoint. Khalidi’s analysis paints a grim picture of the historical and contemporary dynamics between Israel and Palestine, positioning the ongoing conflict as a fight for justice against what he calls Israeli colonialism.

Biden's Black Friday Trip in Nantucket

The Biden family’s Nantucket getaway has become a tradition over the years, and this year, the president’s Black Friday shopping trip included not only first lady Jill Biden and son Hunter Biden but also his young grandson Beau, who helped guide the president through the island’s bustling shopping scene.

Biden was spotted walking around with the book, which caught the attention of those nearby, who likely did not expect to see the president holding such a controversial work.

While it remains unclear whether Biden personally purchased the book, or if it was bought by a family member, the sighting raised more questions than answers. Khalidi, in response to the incident, expressed surprise that Biden had chosen to carry the book, saying, “My reaction is that this is 4 years too late,” referencing the length of time it took for such an incident to occur.

Despite his personal beliefs and history of supporting Israel, Biden’s Black Friday outing highlighted the complexities of his political identity and the personal choices he makes in his private life. This move, albeit a small one, is a reminder of the intricate balancing act Biden faces in managing his public and private personas, especially when it comes to foreign policy issues as contentious as the Israel-Palestine conflict.

President’s Day Out

In addition to the book incident, the Biden family spent time together enjoying Nantucket’s holiday charm. After shopping, the president and his family attended a Christmas tree lighting ceremony, a yearly event in which Biden participated with his family. At the ceremony, Hunter Biden helped his father take a photo with a children’s choir, highlighting the more festive and personal side of the family’s visit.

Earlier in the day, the Biden family had breakfast at The Brotherhood of Thieves restaurant, a popular local spot. Biden also made his annual stop at a local firehouse to deliver pumpkin pies, continuing a tradition that has endeared him to locals during his Nantucket visits for the past four decades. These lighthearted family moments stood in contrast to the more politically charged incident of Biden being seen with Khalidi's book.

While much of the trip focused on family traditions and holiday activities, Biden also took time to address serious concerns on the national stage. He discussed his views on President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico, warning that they could damage vital relationships with key international allies.

Biden’s diplomatic approach was also evident in his remarks about China. The president shared his belief that Chinese President Xi Jinping would take a more measured response to global tensions, noting that both countries had managed to stabilize their relationship through direct communication channels.

A President at Crossroads?

Biden’s interaction with Khalidi’s book added a layer of complexity to his public persona. Known for his Zionist views, Biden’s surprise book choice caused many to question whether it reflects a change in his stance on the Israel-Palestine issue. Despite his historical advocacy for Israel, Biden’s private actions, such as picking up the book, suggest there might be more nuance to his views than previously understood.

Khalidi, while appreciative of the attention his book received, remained skeptical of Biden’s timing. “This is 4 years too late,” he remarked, alluding to the length of time it has taken for Biden to show interest in such critical perspectives on Israel’s policies. His comments suggest that while the book may have garnered attention, it may not lead to significant changes in Biden’s political strategies or stance on Israel.

As the holiday season unfolds, Biden’s Black Friday outing continues to generate discussion, underscoring the tension between public and private views in a political world where every action is scrutinized. While the incident may have been a brief moment in the president’s family holiday outing, it offers a glimpse into the complexity of global politics, identity, and the personal decisions leaders make when they are far from the public eye.

Biden’s actions, whether intentional or incidental, serve as a reminder that the policies and principles we see from leaders in the public sphere can sometimes conflict with their private moments and decisions. In this case, the choice to carry Khalidi’s book highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing political allegiance with the broader realities of international relations.