United States President Joe Biden has strongly condemned acts of anti-Semitism during recent protests at Columbia University, denouncing such behavior as “blatant” and “reprehensible”.
In a statement issued on Sunday to mark the Jewish holiday of Passover, Biden expressed alarm over the rise of anti-Semitic incidents in various spheres, including schools, communities, and online platforms. He emphasized the need to speak out against such behavior, stating that “silence is complicity.”
The President’s remarks followed reports of harassment and threats directed at Jewish students on the campus of Columbia University in New York. Video footage shared on social media depicted activists making derogatory remarks, including telling students to “go back to Poland” and referencing Hamas’s attacks on Israel.
Chabad at Columbia University, an Orthodox Jewish organization, reported that protesters also made disparaging comments such as “You have no culture” and “All you do is colonize” towards Jewish students.
In response to the allegations, a group of student activists representing the protesters distanced themselves from “inflammatory individuals” and affirmed their rejection of “any form of hate or bigotry”.
The White House echoed Biden’s condemnation, condemning the “physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community” and labeling such actions as “blatantly anti-Semitic, unconscionable, and dangerous”.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York State Governor Kathy Hochul also denounced the reported incidents of harassment and intimidation at the protests.
Columbia University, known for its prestigious academic reputation, has witnessed heightened activism surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since the outbreak of violence following the October 7 attacks.
The New York Police Department’s intervention on Thursday resulted in the arrest of over 100 pro-Palestinian protesters, leading to suspensions for some involved, including students from Columbia and its affiliated institution, Barnard College.
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