President Joe Biden seemed hesitant Monday when asked if he had a message for protesters and whether he condemned anti-Semitic protests on college campuses.
Biden was leaving an Earth Day event at Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, Virginia, after appearing alongside a trio of progressive lawmakers: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sens. Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey.
In her opening for Biden, AOC applauded the campus protests, although she remained silent about anti-Semitic rhetoric directed at Jewish students, especially at New York’s Columbia University.
‘I condemn anti-Semitic protests. That’s why I created a program to address that,” Biden said. “I also condemn those who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians,” he added, without finishing his thought because a reporter asked him another question.
One of the main Jewish groups on Columbia’s campus. he said in a social media post. Sunday that Jewish students are being attacked by protesters who tell them to “go back to Poland” and “stop killing children.”
President Joe Biden walked a fine line Monday when asked if he had a message for protesters and whether he condemned anti-Semitic protests on college campuses.
Protesters at Columbia have created a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, with more than 100 arrested during sit-ins last week.
Earlier Monday, embattled Columbia President Nemat ‘Minouche’ Shafik announced that classes would be held virtually and a campus rabbi encouraged Jewish students to return home for their safety.
Asked if Shafik should resign, Biden responded: “I’ll have to find out more about that.”
On Monday, billionaire Robert Kraft announced that he would withdraw his financial support for the university over anti-Israel protests.
“The school that I love so much, the one that welcomed me and gave me so many opportunities, is no longer an institution that I recognize,” the New England Patriots owner said. “I am deeply saddened by the virulent hatred that continues to grow on campus and across our country.”
Last week, more than 100 students were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday for participating in sit-ins, but by Friday the students had returned to their “Gaza solidarity camp.”
One of the people arrested and later suspended was the daughter of Rep. Ilhan Omar, a member of the squad.
The president and the so-called Squad, which includes AOC, have not seen eye to eye on the issue of Israel after the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left) praised pro-Palestinian protesters Monday at an Land Day event in Virginia as she opened for President Joe Biden (right). Over the weekend, several anti-Semitic incidents were reported at protests at Columbia University.
“You know, I learned a long time ago: Listen to that lady, listen to that lady,” President Joe Biden (left) told the Earth Day crowd about AOC (right). He also said, “We’re going to talk more about another part of the world too quickly,” a hint that they would talk about the Middle East.
President Joe Biden (center) at an Earth Day event at Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, Virginia alonsgide (from left) Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Za’Nyia Kelly and Sen. Ed Markey
President Joe Biden (R) took the trio of lawmakers home. He entered the Oval Office alongside Senator Bernie Sanders (center) and followed by Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left) and Senator Ed Markey (not pictured).
But Biden and AOC have partnered on climate change initiatives.
That led her to the Earth Day event on Monday and said Biden’s federal investment in climate change was about the “power of organizing,” bringing together “young people, climate advocates, labor organizers and workers of all backgrounds.” “.
“It is especially important that we remember the power of the young people who are shaping this country today, precisely today, as we witness once again the leadership of those peaceful protests led by students at universities like Columbia, Yale, Berkeley and many others” , Ocasio. -Cortés said.
Moments later, Biden took the stage and praised AOC, telling the crowd, “You know, I learned a long time ago: listen to that lady, listen to that lady.”
“We’re going to talk more about another part of the world too quickly,” he said, an indication that they would talk about the Middle East after the official program ended.
The two were seen cuddling and then holding hands leaving the podium.
Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders and Markey accompanied Biden back to the White House, aboard the Marine One presidential helicopter, and walked as a group to the Oval Office.