United States President Joe Biden has condemned pro-Palestinian activists for acts of "blatant" antisemitism during protests at Columbia University against the war in Gaza.
Biden's remarks came hours after a statement by the White House denouncing "physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community."
In a statement released on Sunday in observance of the Jewish holiday of Passover, Biden said that it was crucial to raise awareness about the alarming surge of antisemitism in schools, communities, and online.
"Silence is complicity. Even in recent days, we've seen harassment and calls for violence against Jews," Biden added.
Biden claimed that this blatant antisemitism is reprehensible and dangerous, and it has absolutely no place on college campuses or anywhere in their country.
Social media footage reportedly captured activists encouraging students to "go back to Poland" and saying that October 7 is "going to be every day for you," referring to the 1,139 fatalities caused by Hamas attacks on Israel.
Columbia University's Chabad, a branch of the global Orthodox Jewish movement, claimed that demonstrators had also provoked Jewish students to "Go back to Europe," "You have no culture," and "All you do is colonize."
Furthermore, Columbia, one of the most prestigious universities in the US, has become a center for student activism since Israel invaded Gaza began with the October 7 attacks.
On Thursday, over 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators were taken into custody by the New York Police Department after its officers stormed the campus and cleared an encampment set up by students.
Protesting students, including Isra Hirsi, the daughter of Democratic Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, claimed they had been suspended from both Barnard College and Columbia University.
