Republican senators on Wednesday accused President Biden of being more critical of US ally Israel Anti-Israel and anti-Semitism Riots that evolved from protests on some college campuses across the country.
“Joe Biden is putting more pressure on Israel these days than he is on Hamas or pro-Hamas chapters on campuses across America,” Senator Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said during a press conference.
Cotton said this was not surprising, given what he said were “anti-Elements” of the Democratic Party that have been allowed to “thrive and grow for years” under Biden’s watch. Biden has particularly criticized Israel And the disagreements between the country and the US become publicly known as Israel continues to fight the terrorist group Hamas in Gaza.
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Senator Tom Cotton and other Republicans criticized President Biden for treating anti-Israel rioters better than US ally Israel. (Getty Images)
Biden and his administration officials have on several occasions stressed concerns about Israel’s actions to prevent civilian deaths while fighting Hamas. The president even threatened that US policy toward Israel would depend on the country reducing civilian casualties after a recent Israeli attack killed seven aid workers.
A sit-in protesting Israel’s actions initially began last month at Columbia University in New York City, grew over the course of nearly two weeks, and ultimately led to protesters occupying a campus building. After taking possession of the building, the university once again opted to call the New York City Police Department (NYPD), who responded. 108 people arrestedGive everyone a trespass summons.
Since the beginning of the Columbia occupation, which received national media coverage, there have been at least 47 anti-Israel protests at the top 50 universities as ranked by US News & World Report in 2024.
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A student protestor parades with a Palestinian flag outside the entrance to Hamilton Hall on the campus of Columbia University in New York City on April 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Mary Altafer/Pool)
Senator John Kennedy, R-La., said Biden could “stop this thing on a dime” if he wanted, suggesting that the president could call universities and motivate them to break up unruly demonstrations. Could threaten their federal funding.
However, he added, in reference to Biden, 81, “It shows you that old guys can do s–k too.”
Kennedy also pointed to poor polling for the president, saying Biden is not taking action because he is “afraid of alienating the Hamas wing of the Democratic Party.”
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NYPD officers patrol during a demonstration by anti-Israel protesters outside the campus of Columbia University on April 18, 2024 in New York City. (Peter Gerber for Fox News Digital)
Cotton condemned the demonstrations, describing them as “mini Gazas that have sprung up on campuses across America.” He also called them “a disgusting cesspool of anti-Jewish hatred, filled with pro-Hamas supporters”.
“Radical and eccentric,” Cotton said.
According to the Arkansas senator, Biden needs to condemn “supporters of the Hamas complex” without “talking about Israelis who are fighting a righteous battle for survival.”
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“President Biden has stood against hateful, anti-Semitic allegations and violent rhetoric throughout his life,” White House spokesman Andrew Bates said in a statement Tuesday. “He condemns the use of the term ‘intifada’ because he has The other is tragic and dangerous hate speech. President Biden respects the right to free speech, but forceful occupation of buildings is not peaceful. There is no place in America.”
President Biden speaks during a campaign event at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center on April 18, 2024 in Philadelphia. (Hannah Beer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
However, Biden has not made direct comments condemning the protests and riots and has not hinted at any federal action.
Cotton reiterated his call for the Departments of State, Homeland Security, Justice and Education to address the growing protests and rioting. He urged them to revoke visas for the students who attended and deport them, investigate any funding behind the protests, and cut off funding to schools that “will not protect the civil rights of their Jewish students.”
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Cotton and Kennedy were joined by Republican senators James Lankford of Oklahoma, Rick Scott of Florida, Joni Ernst of Iowa, John Cornyn of Texas and Roger Marshall of Kansas.
The White House did not immediately provide comment to Fox News Digital.
