The White House said Wednesday that calls for genocide against Jews are “vile” and “unacceptable,” hoping to put some daylight between President Biden and university presidents who gave noncommittal answers at a Capitol Hill hearing on antisemitism.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said she couldn’t speak for the elite university presidents who were unable to tell lawmakers whether calling for the genocide of Jews violated their schools’ codes of conduct.
She also did not say explicitly what would happen if an administration official called for genocide, but said “we will call that out.”
“The president has set an example for all leaders during this gut-wrenching increase in antisemitism. He’s spoken very forcefully against it,” Ms. Jean-Pierre said, pointing to Mr. Biden’s support for Israel after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas militants.
“Calls for genocide are unacceptable,” she said. “It’s vile and it’s counter to everything this country stands for. I can’t believe I even have to say that.”
Ms. Jean-Pierre said she cannot speak to how universities run their campuses, amid concerns that pro-Palestinian protests are soaked with antisemitism.
She said she was attempting to describe the “moral clarity” that Mr. Biden has provided.
“Statements that advocate for the systemic murder of Jews are appalling and we should all stand against them,” Ms. Jean-Pierre said.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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