NAACP Calls on Biden to Stop Sending Weapons to Israel During Gaza War

The NAACP is urging the Biden administration to stop sending weapons to Israel and to push for an end to the war in Gaza. This call comes after months of protests and dissatisfaction with Biden’s support for Israel, which has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians.

In a statement dated June 6, 2024, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson asked the Biden administration to take stronger action to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which began after the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

“As the nation’s leading civil rights organization,” Johnson said, “it is our responsibility to speak out against injustice and hold our elected officials accountable.” He condemned the “unspeakable violence affecting innocent civilians” as “unacceptable.”

While acknowledging the Biden administration’s recent efforts to end the conflict, Johnson said these efforts “do not go far enough.” He called for an indefinite halt to the supply of arms to Israel and to any states providing weapons to Hamas.

Johnson also demanded that Hamas release its hostages and that Israel follow international law. Additionally, he called for an “immediate and permanent ceasefire” to start working towards a two-state solution.

In response, Biden-Harris campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika told NBC News that “the President shares the goal of ending the violence and achieving a just, lasting peace in the Middle East, and he’s working tirelessly towards that end.”

However, the statement did not indicate any change in the administration’s current policies, which include continued support for Israel along with a ceasefire plan promoted by top Biden officials.

The NAACP’s call comes at a time when Biden’s strong pro-Israel stance has divided Democrats. This split is evident in primary elections and could influence the upcoming presidential and congressional elections. Biden has faced criticism and protests, including during his commencement address at Morehouse College this year.

As the election nears, the Biden-Harris campaign is working to solidify support among Black voters and young people, who remain highly critical of the administration’s support for Israel, especially as the death toll in Gaza surpasses 30,000.

The coming months will determine whether Biden can secure a ceasefire in Gaza and how events in the Middle East will affect the U.S. election outcome.