Biden slams anti-Semitism at uni protests

The White House has condemned “blatant antiSemitism” during widespread demonstrations on college campuses as Jewish students were told it was not safe for them to attend classes.

Tensions at elite US universities have been high since the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel, which prompted a war that has led to the death of at least 34,000 Palestinians.

Student protesters are calling for an immediate ceasefire and some have accused Israel of genocide. They have also called for universities to divest from Israel.

The White House said: “While every American has the right to peaceful protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly anti-Semitic, unconscionable and dangerous. And echoing the rhetoric of terrorist organisations, especially in the wake of the worst massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, is despicable.”

In a separate statement marking the Jewish Passover holiday, President Joe Biden said: “Even in recent days, we’ve seen harassment and calls for violence against Jews. This blatant anti-Semitism is reprehensible and dangerous – and it has absolutely no place on college campuses, or anywhere in our country.”

At Columbia university in New York City, more than 100 students have been arrested.

A rabbi connected to Columbia warned Jewish students should leave campus as their safety could not be guaranteed.

Signs at the protests included “Zionism is Evil”, while Jewish students were verbally abused by demonstrators.