President Biden said recent anti-Israel protests on college campuses have not caused him to reconsider his policies in the Middle East.
When asked directly, he responded “No” twice.
“Mr. President, do you think the National Guard should intervene?” a reporter asked.
Tune in as I deliver remarks. https://t.co/zN7LMKaBIf
— President Biden (@POTUS) May 2, 2024
“No,” Biden said.
In remarks addressing the protests, Biden condemned violence, vandalism, and intimidation, saying peaceful protest is allowed but shutting down campuses is against the law.
He called for an end to both antisemitism and Islamophobia.
“There is no place for hate speech or violence of any kind, whether it’s anti-semitism, Islamophobia, or discrimination against Arab-Americans or Palestinian-Americans. It’s simply wrong,” Biden said.
“Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations: none of this is a peaceful protest,” he said. “Threatening people, intimidating people, instilling fear in people is not peaceful protest. It’s against the law.”
Despite demands for a ceasefire from some progressive groups, Biden signaled the protests have not shifted his stance.
This comes as many Democratic primary voters in recent elections chose the “Uncommitted” option, suggesting ongoing frustration with Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
