Biden on US Campus Anti-War Protests: "No Place for Anti-Semitism"

by Kwon Haeyoung

Published 08 May.2024 04:25(KST)

"Forget the Horrific Terror Attack That Happened in Israel"

U.S. President Joe Biden once again warned on the 7th (local time) about the pro-Palestinian anti-war protests spreading across American college campuses.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In his Holocaust Memorial Day speech held at the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C., Biden condemned, "People are already forgetting too quickly the horrific terror that occurred in Israel."

He pointed out, "Jewish students are being ostracized and attacked by anti-Semitic protests at many universities," adding, "Too many people are ignoring the horrors of the Holocaust. They are downplaying the terror that happened in Israel on October 7 last year." He emphasized, "We must not provide sanctuary for any form of hatred directed at anyone."

President Biden reiterated, "There is no place for anti-Semitism, hate speech, or any violence at any American university." He continued, "Physical attacks and property damage are not peaceful protests but violations of the law," stressing, "We will uphold the law, and no one can break it or hide from it."

Earlier, on the 2nd, Biden also warned regarding the pro-Palestinian anti-war protests that peaceful demonstrations will be protected, but illegal protests will not be tolerated.

At that time, President Biden said, "We are a civil society, and order must prevail," adding, "The occurrence of violence is illegal." He further stated, "Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, campus closures, forcing cancellations of classes and graduations?all of these are unrelated to peaceful protests," emphasizing, "Opposition is essential to democracy, but opposition must not lead to disorder or deny other students the right to complete their semester education."

The White House also unveiled additional measures to respond to anti-Semitism. These include publishing and distributing guidelines containing cases of anti-Semitism and response measures, as well as operating a campus safety portal.

Since last month, starting with Columbia University, anti-war protests have been spreading across U.S. college campuses. At some universities, police have been deployed to forcibly disperse protesters, and it is reported that more than 2,500 people have been arrested in the process.