The White House confirmed on Tuesday that President Joe Biden is aware of the pro-Palestinian protests that have been taking place on college campuses across the country. White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates stated that the administration is closely monitoring these situations and condemned what he described as 'alarming rhetoric' at some student protests.
Bates emphasized that while the President supports every American's right to peacefully protest, calls for violence, physical intimidation, and hateful, anti-Semitic rhetoric are unacceptable and will be denounced. He stressed that President Biden believes silence is complicity and uses his platforms to ensure the safety of all Americans.
Regarding the suggestion by some Republicans to deploy the National Guard to respond to campus protests at Columbia University, Bates did not provide the administration's stance on the matter. He mentioned that the decision to deploy National Guard members would be up to New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
The White House's acknowledgment of the protests reflects the ongoing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the impact it has had on communities in the United States. The administration's commitment to monitoring these situations and condemning violence and hate speech underscores the importance of upholding peaceful and respectful dialogue.
