White House slams ‘anti-Semitic’ protests at college campuses — RT World News

The White House denounced it 'An alarming rise in anti-Semitism' On American university campuses in a statement on Sunday, against the backdrop of escalating pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University in New York.

More than 100 people have been arrested on or near Columbia University's campus since student demonstrations began Wednesday. The demonstrators set up dozens of tents in front of the university, demanding that the university boycott companies linked to Israel and publicly call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The death toll in the Palestinian Strip since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas on October 7 has exceeded 34,000, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

In a press release on Sunday, the White House condemned alleged calls for violence against Jews in schools, communities and online. “This blatant anti-Semitism is reprehensible and dangerous, and has absolutely no place on campus, or anywhere in the country.” The statement said.

The New York City Police Department arrested 108 people for trespassing after they refused to leave the temporary camp in Columbia. Fox News reported that students were among those arrested and received notices of suspension from the university.

Rabbi Eli Buechler confirmed to CNN that he had contacted about 300 Jewish students, imploring them to avoid campus while the protest continued.

Universities in the United States and elsewhere came out to show solidarity with protesters in Colombia. Students at Yale University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have set up similar camps, the Columbia College Spectator reported Sunday. Student bodies at other institutions have also posted their support, including the University of Melbourne, Bard College in Berlin, Yale, and Harvard.

The administration of US President Joe Biden supports West Jerusalem in its war against Hamas, following the armed group's attack on Israel on October 7, which killed more than 1,100 people and saw dozens taken hostage.

In the run-up to the US presidential election in November, some Democratic pundits condemned Biden's continued support for Israel, citing the growing Palestinian death toll, Politico reported earlier this month. In particular, the Biden team is said to be concerned about the loss of young and progressive pro-Palestine voters.