Joe Biden: Antisemitism Has No Place in American Universities

Joe Biden, in response to student protests across the United States, declared that antisemitism has no place in American universities.

Over the past two weeks, more than 1,700 pro-Palestinian students at universities across the United States, including the University of Texas at Austin, Chapel Hill University in North Carolina, California State Polytechnic University in Humboldt, and other universities, held rallies and protests that resulted in their arrests.

According to the New York Times, protesters at the University of California had prepared themselves for confrontations with stationed police officers and hovering helicopters.

Joe Biden, in response to student protests at American universities against Israeli attacks on Gaza, said in his remarks at the White House: “The university environment, or indeed the United States, should not be a place for antisemitism or threats of violence against Jewish students. The university is not a place for hate-mongering or violence. These protests will not lead to a change in my Middle East policy.”

He noted that student protests have tested free speech and the rule of law, both of which must be protected. He emphasized that he also opposes deploying the National Guard to counter these protests.

Joe Biden, while noting that protests must be conducted within the framework of law and without violence, added: “Peaceful demonstrations in the United States are acceptable, but violence is unlawful. Damage to public property is not part of free speech. The right to protest is guaranteed, but rioting is not permitted.”

He concluded by stating that such protests will not force him to reconsider his Middle East policies.