White House condemns ‘blatantly antisemitic’ protests amid ongoing unrest at Columbia

The White House on Sunday condemned calls for “violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students” as protests continue at U.S. universities, including recent demonstrations at New York’s Columbia University.

“While all Americans have the right to peacefully protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly anti-Semitic, unconscionable and dangerous. And they should never be allowed on college campuses or anywhere in America,” White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates said in a statement shared with The Hill.

“And repeating the rhetoric of a terrorist organization is despicable, especially in the wake of the worst genocide perpetrated against Jews since the Holocaust. We condemn these statements in the strongest terms,” ​​he said. continued.

This statement was issued shortly after distributed report On Sunday, a Columbia University rabbi sent a message to 300 Jewish students asking them to leave campus, go home and stay there ahead of the start of the Jewish holiday of Passover, which begins Monday night. Ta.

Campus Hillel disputed this statement, saying: Write on X, “We do not believe that Jewish students should be expelled.” @Columbia. We believe the university and city must do more to ensure the safety of our students. ”

Protests have been ongoing at Columbia University since last week, with dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators camped out in dozens of tents on campus. Columbia University President Minoush Shafik later authorized the New York City Police Department to assist in clearing the camp.

More than 100 protesters detained, NBC News It was reported last week.

According to school officials, all university students who participated in the demonstration were suspended from school.

Among those suspended was Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). Hirschi is a student at Barnard College. Although the university is connected to Columbia University, it has some degree of independence.

A series of U.S. universities are facing an uptick in demonstrations and protests after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages.

Israel retaliated with shelling of Gaza, killing more than 34,000 Palestinians, according to the enclave’s health ministry.