(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
President Joe Biden’s White House denounced Columbia University’s pro-Palestinian protests as “blatantly anti-Semitic and dangerous.”
Over the last week, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters have gathered to demand an end to the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The student protesters set up what they called a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” and included tents, signs, and more. The actions have led to hundreds of activists being arrested, including the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN).
The White House on Sunday issued a statement condemning the protests after videos on social media captured demonstrators praising Hamas and denouncing the Israeli government.
“While every American has the right to peaceful protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly Antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous – they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States of America,” said White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates.
BREAKING: White House statement on anti-Israel protests at Columbia University:
“While every American has the right to peaceful protect, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly Antisemitic, unconscionable, and…— Lucas Tomlinson (@LucasFoxNews) April 21, 2024
Bates added, “And echoing the rhetoric of terrorist organizations, especially in the wake of the worst massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, is despicable. We condemn these statements in the strongest terms.”
Rabbi Elie Buechler, director of the Jewish Learning Initiative at Columbia, sent out a warning to Jewish students at the university to leave campus “as soon as possible” until the demonstrations are over.
Lawmakers have denounced the protesters for reportedly chanting slogans such as “We are Hamas!” and “We say justice, you say how? Burn Tel Aviv to the ground!” Some of the moments have been captured on camera, both at Columbia and in similar protests in other cities.
