Republican lawmaker criticizes Biden for abandoning Jews during anti-Israel protests
In response to the ongoing anti-Israel protests on college campuses, Republican lawmaker Smith praised Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to visit Columbia University and criticized President Biden for his lack of leadership on the issue, which has spread to campuses nationwide.
Smith condemned Biden’s absence in addressing the situation, accusing him of prioritizing votes in Dearborn, Michigan over speaking out against antisemitism. He called on the president to boldly denounce antisemitism and show zero tolerance for such hatred.
Michigan is considered a crucial state for Biden in the upcoming election, with growing concerns among Palestinians in Dearborn and elsewhere about his support for Israel. Some have indicated they may withdraw their support if he continues to back Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
When asked whether Biden should visit college campuses facing anti-Israel protests, Smith expressed doubt, emphasizing the need for support for Israel in combating Hamas’ genocidal intentions towards the Israeli people. He highlighted Hamas’ commitment to violence and genocide against Jews as stated in their charter.
Smith raised concerns about Students for Free Palestine and their ties to Hamas, labeling the terrorist group as promoting hatred and antisemitism. He voiced alarm over the cancellation of graduation ceremonies at various universities due to such protests, warning of the heightened risk of violence and endangerment to students.
Last week, Smith visited Rutgers University in New Jersey following an anti-Israel demonstration, where students presented demands including divestment from Israeli entities. He criticized the potential consideration of BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) as an attempt to delegitimize Israel and reduce it to a “pauper state.”
Regarding Rutgers’ discussions on divestment, Smith denounced the movement as harmful and cautioned against setting up cultural centers that may foster antisemitism. He called for accountability from Hamas and students supporting genocidal actions against Israel.
Biden faced backlash for his delayed response to the anti-Israel protests and his decision not to deploy the National Guard to restore order. Critics accused him of waiting too long to address the situation and failing to take decisive action against violence and vandalism.
In a recent statement, Biden emphasized the distinction between peaceful and violent protests, highlighting the illegality of destructive actions such as vandalism, property damage, and intimidation. He reiterated that instilling fear and causing disruptions is unacceptable behavior and against the law.
