The White House has remained silent on whether President Biden intends to deploy the National Guard to break up anti-Israel protests at Columbia University, despite calls from Republican lawmakers for federal intervention. Last week, anti-Israel agitators initiated protests at the university, calling for an end to hostilities in the Middle East and demanding the university divest from companies with ties to Israel. After police broke up the encampment and arrested over 100 students, more protesters arrived on the scene, chanting antisemitic slogans and endorsing violence against Jewish people.
The situation has escalated, with clashes between protesters and police officers becoming increasingly violent. Columbia University Rabbi Elie Buechler recommended Jewish students leave campus due to safety concerns, and President Dr. Nemat Shafik announced that classes would be virtual to avoid further violence. There have been reports of protesters loudly chanting support for Hamas and antisemitic slogans throughout the protests. Meanwhile, President Biden issued a statement ahead of Passover condemning rising antisemitic attitudes across the country, stating that “silence is complicity” and that there is no place for antisemitism in college campuses or anywhere in the country.
Republican lawmakers have called on President Biden to deploy the National Guard to protect Jewish Americans at universities, citing past instances where presidents have used federal intervention to address similar situations. However, the White House has not yet commented on whether they plan to take such action. Some lawmakers have also criticized New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul for not sending law enforcement to address the escalating situation at Columbia University.
The ongoing conflict at Columbia University highlights the growing tensions surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with protests continuing to mount amid rising antisemitism in the U.S. President Biden’s statement ahead of Passover emphasized the need to speak out against antisemitism and condemn calls for violence against Jews. The situation has caused fear among Jewish students on campus and has prompted university officials to take additional security measures to address safety concerns.
Despite efforts from some lawmakers to urge federal intervention at the university, the White House has not provided any response on whether they plan to deploy the National Guard. The situation remains volatile, with clashes between protesters and law enforcement continuing and tensions running high on campus. As the conflict evolves, it underscores the need for addressing rising antisemitism and ensuring the safety of Jewish individuals on college campuses and across the country.
