KJP dodges queries about college administrators’ reaction to anti-Israel protests at universities. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged several questions during a press briefing on Monday regarding the responses of many universities in the U.S. to anti-Israel protests, which have sometimes turned violent. The protests, which have been seen at colleges including Columbia, Yale, Harvard, and Penn, have led to demands for universities to completely divest from Israel.
Jean-Pierre was asked if President Biden or anyone else in the White House had spoken with leadership at Columbia University and if the president was happy with how school administrators are handling the situation. She responded by stating that the president stands squarely against any violent rhetoric, hate threats, and physical intimidation and hate speech, and that there is no place for antisemitism on college campuses or anywhere else.
However, Jean-Pierre did not answer the question about whether Biden was satisfied with how universities are handling the situation. She also dodged questions about whether the White House thought it was fair that protesters at Columbia or other schools were being threatened with probation or other disciplinary actions, and whether students should leave a protest before a deadline being given by university personnel at Columbia.
“These are institutions. Some of them are private, some of them are public, and it is up to their leadership, university leadership and colleges, to make that decision,” she responded to the first question.
Jean-Pierre stuck to the message that Biden is in favor of peaceful protests and condemns antisemitism and any form of hate, but avoided answering specific questions about the White House’s stance on the university protests. The White House also remained silent on whether the administration plans to bar student protesters from eligibility for student loan forgiveness programs, which Biden had campaigned on in 2020.
Biden has faced criticism for his comments on the protests, including a statement in which he condemned antisemitic protests but also condemned those “who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians.” Critics have compared this to Trump’s remarks in 2017 following a riot in Charlottesville, Virginia, in which he said there was “blame on both sides” and “very fine people, on both sides.”
The protests have been sparked by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, and have led to a wider conversation about antisemitism and free speech on college campuses. Many students and faculty members have spoken out against the protests, citing concerns about safety and the spread of hate speech. Others have defended the protests as a legitimate form of political expression.
The White House’s response to the protests has been criticized by some for not going far enough to condemn antisemitism and support Jewish students who have been targeted by protesters. Others have praised the administration for its commitment to free speech and its recognition of the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As the protests continue, it remains to be seen how the White House will respond to the growing tensions on college campuses. The administration’s stance on the issue will likely have significant implications for the wider conversation about antisemitism and free speech in the US.
In the meantime, students and faculty members at colleges across the country are grappling with the consequences of the protests. Many are calling for greater support and resources to address the spread of hate speech and to promote greater understanding and dialogue between different groups. Others are pushing for greater action to address the root causes of the conflict, including the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories and the treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli government.
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