Staff Reports
President Biden spoke out against the anti-Israel protests happening at colleges in the country. He called the protests “antisemitic” and expressed concern for the safety of Jewish students on campuses. The president also mentioned the need for understanding the situation with the Palestinians.
Biden condemns ‘antisemitic’ protests on college campuseshttps://t.co/JPfIdhlgXf pic.twitter.com/klCpulwDr9
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) April 22, 2024
These comments from President Biden came after the protests flared up at top universities, leading to concerns about antisemitism and the safety of Jewish students. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had previously described the protests as “peaceful,” but the president’s remarks contradicted her statement.
At Columbia University and Yale University, as well as other schools, Jewish students reported facing hate, intimidation, and harassment, raising concerns about antisemitism on campuses. The president’s comments came as Columbia University declared a “crisis” and moved classes online due to escalating anti-Israel protests.
In response to the situation, President Biden talked about setting up a program to combat antisemitism on college campuses in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict. This program involves partnerships between the Justice and Homeland Security departments and campus law enforcement to track hate-related threats and provide federal resources to schools.
