The White House has condemned as ‘blatantly antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous’ statements made in ongoing student protests at American universities against the war in Gaza.
This came as more than 100 students were arrested at New York’s Columbia University, after police cleared a protest encampment at the elite institution, according to the BBC.
President Joe Biden said in a statement marking the Jewish Passover holiday: ‘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.’
The BBC reports that deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said students had the right to peaceful protest, but he denounced ‘calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students’.
The White House statement said: ‘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.’
Columbia University President Dr Nemat Shafik acknowledged that the clearing of the protest encampment last week was an ‘extraordinary step’, but said it was necessary to provide a safe environment.
The BBC reports that among the participants in the protest was the daughter of Minnesota politician Ilhan Omar, who has been suspended from her college.
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