President Biden has spoken out against the violent protests shaking college campuses across the U.S., particularly those displaying antisemitic sentiments. He emphasized that there is no place for hate speech or violence of any kind, whether it is directed towards Jews, Muslims, Arabs, or any other group. However, some observers, including Harvard Law professor emeritus Alan Dershowitz, were puzzled by Biden’s inclusion of Islamophobia in his speech, as there has not been a spike in Islamophobia across the U.S. as per law enforcement sources. Dershowitz questioned why Biden couldn’t simply denounce antisemitism without pandering to Muslims and Arabs.
Anti-Israel protesters have invaded college campuses, creating an atmosphere where Jewish students feel threatened. At Columbia University, protesters chanted violent slogans calling for the eradication of Israel, and a Jewish student was blocked from entering UCLA’s campus. Despite these incidents, it took several days for university officials to permit the New York Police Department to remove agitators. Hugh Hewitt criticized Biden for taking too long to address the issue of antisemitism before mentioning Islamophobia, highlighting the prevalence of Jew hatred on college campuses.
Former Rep. Lee Zeldin accused Biden of equivocating on issues related to Israel and antisemitism, suggesting that the president’s leadership was weak. The FBI declined to comment on a rise in Islamophobia, but the White House defended Biden’s remarks by pointing out instances where Muslims were targeted. Rich Goldberg likened the Biden administration to a college campus protest movement, with Biden appearing as a weak college president afraid to condemn antisemitism directly for fear of upsetting his own supporters. Despite the ongoing protests, Biden stressed the importance of maintaining order and distinguishing between peaceful and violent protests.
Former FBI Special Agent Nicole Parker emphasized the need for law enforcement agencies to prioritize hate crimes and protect individuals living in fear due to their religion or country of origin. She highlighted the importance of reporting hate crimes and violations of civil rights to the FBI, urging any potential victims or witnesses to come forward. Biden’s stance on the protests has faced criticism from various quarters, with some accusing him of lacking clarity and courage in condemning antisemitism unequivocally. The protests have continued despite Biden’s condemnation, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue effectively and protecting the safety and rights of all Americans.
