Washington DC: Days after the New York City police dispersed a pro-Palestinian rally at Columbia University and arrested more than 100 students, the White House condemned "antisemitism" in college campuses in the US. The White House must be concerned about the campus tensions spurred by the Israel-Hamas war when presidential elections are due this year, Agence France-Presse reported.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates said that while every American has the right to peaceful protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation against the Jewish community are antisemitic, unconscionable and dangerous. Those attempting to do the same have no place anywhere in the United States, including campuses.
The New York City Mayor reacted by saying that he was horrified and disgusted over the "antisemitic incidents that happened at Columbia University.
"…horrified and disgusted with the antisemitism being spewed at and around the Columbia University campus," he wrote on X and added that police must probe "any violation of law".
It was a day after Columbian President Nemat Shafik's testimony at a House hearing on campus antisemitism; the rally at Columbia started on Thursday. Among the arrested students was the daughter of Representative Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota.
A Republican, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, criticised Shafik's leadership of the university. She wrote on X, "Columbia's leadership has clearly lost control of its campus, putting Jewish students' safety at risk," and called for Shafik's resignation.
The Harvard University restricted access to Harvard Yard on Friday in a bid to hamper potential protests or demonstrations inside the campus. It added restrictions such as spot checks for identifications and prohibitions on items such as tents and tables without permission in advance.