President Biden on Monday decried the anti-Israel protests that have taken over college universities across the country, calling them “antisemitic,” but also called for sympathy for the Palestinians in Gaza.
“I condemn the antisemitic protests. That’s why I have set up a program to deal with that. I also condemn those who don’t understand what’s going with the Palestinians,” he told reporters after a speech marking Earth Day at Prince William National Forest in Virginia.
It was his most pointed comments to date targeting the protesters that have shut down college campuses across the country since the Israel-Hamas war began in October. But the condemnation comes five days after the anti-Israel protests erupted at the nation’s elite institutions.
The president’s remarks also contradicted a statement from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, New York Democrat, who hailed the protests as “peaceful” just moments earlier at the same event.
“It is especially important that we remember the power of young people shaping this country today, of all days, as we once again witness the leadership of those peaceful, student-led protests on campuses like Columbia, Yale, Berkeley, and many others,” she said.
Protesters at Columbia University, Yale University and other schools have raised concerns of antisemitism after Jewish students said they were subjected to hate, intimidation and harassment.
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Just hours before Mr. Biden’s remarks, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik declared that the Ivy League school is facing a “crisis.” He ordered classes to be held remotely and stepped up security as the anti-Israel protests escalated.
Out of safety concerns, Columbia University held classes online Monday instead of in person Rabbi Elie Buechler, who heads the Orthodox Union of the Columbia-Bernard campuses, urged Jewish students to “return home as soon as possible and remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved.”
The program that Mr. Biden referred to in his remarks was set up after Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel. It is supposed to combat antisemitism on college campuses.
The program partners the Justice and Homeland Security departments with campus law enforcement to track hate-related threats and provide federal resources to the schools.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.
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