The White House issued an announcement in response to the continuing anti-Israel protests and encampment happening at Columbia University, describing them as being, “Antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous.”
White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates issued an announcement on Sunday acknowledging that American residents have the “right to peaceful protest,” whereas including that “calls for violence and physical intimidation” in opposition to the Jewish neighborhood are unacceptable.
In his statement, Bates mentioned:
While each American has the precise to peaceable protest, requires violence and bodily intimidation concentrating on Jewish college students and the Jewish neighborhood are blatantly Antisemitic, unconscionable, and harmful – they’ve completely no place on any school campus, or anyplace within the United States of America. And echoing the rhetoric of terrorist organizations particularly within the wake of the worst bloodbath dedicated in opposition to the Jewish folks for the reason that Holocaust, is despicable. We condemn these statements within the strongest phrases.
Bates’ assertion comes as anti-Israel protests at numerous universities have popped up over the course of the previous few days. Several pro-Palestinian pupil teams at the University of North Carolina, Boston University, and the Ohio State University introduced they’d maintain rallies and protests in support of the encampment at Columbia University.
“Gaza Solidarity Encampment” demonstration is held on South Lawn of Columbia University campus with greater than 100 college students who had been demanding that Columbia divest from firms with ties to Israel in New York on April 17, 2024. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu by way of Getty Images)
On early Wednesday morning, protesters reportedly arrange an anti-Israel encampment on the garden of Columbia University. On Thursday, a number of college students, together with Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), had been suspended from Barnard College over their involvement within the encampment.
More than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters involved within the encampment, together with Hirsi, had been additionally arrested on Thursday.
Despite the arrests, protesters had been recorded putting tents within the encampment on Sunday.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), who has come out in support of Israel and criticized anti-Israel protesters, wrote in a post on X that he agreed “with the White House” labeling the protests as antisemitic, unconscionable, and harmful.
“Add some tiki torches and it’s Charlottesville for these Jewish students,” Fetterman added, calling for Columbia University President Minouche Shafik to do her job “or resign.”
.@POTUS and his Administration are forcefully condemning Antisemitism – per @priscialva. pic.twitter.com/zE1A5cKytg
— Herbie Ziskend (@HerbieZiskend46) April 21, 2024
President Joe Biden additionally issued an announcement forward of the upcoming Passover Jewish vacation.
In his assertion, Biden wrote:
As Jews mark Passover with storytelling, songs, and rituals, they may even learn from the Haggadah how, in each technology, they’ve been focused by those that would search to destroy them. This yr, these phrases carry deeper resonance and ache within the wake of Hamas’ unspeakable evil on October seventh – the deadliest day for the Jewish folks for the reason that Holocaust. More than 1,200 folks had been brutally massacred. Women and women had been subjected to appalling sexual violence. More than 250 innocents had been taken hostage, together with Americans. We can always remember the horror of Hamas’ despicable atrocities.
Biden continued on to name out the “alarming surge of Antisemitism” occurring in “schools, communities, and online.” He continued, “Silence is complicity. Even in recent days, we’ve seen harassment and calls for violence against Jews. This blatant Antisemitism is reprehensible and dangerous – and it has absolutely no place on college campuses, or anywhere in our country.”
More Stories
Judge Says Closing Arguments in Trump’s Hush Money Trial Will Be Next Week
WikiLeaks Founder Julian Assange Granted Right to Appeal Extradition
Judge Delivers Ruling On New Voting Rulebook In Arizona
FDA Warns 25% Kill Rate in New Virus
Former Trump Aide Breaks Down In Emotional Testimony During Hush Money Trial