BREAKING: President Joe Biden Gives Unscheduled Speech On Anti-Israel Protests On College Campuses

On Thursday, President Joe Biden, in unscheduled remarks, responded to the recent anti-Israel demonstrations on college campuses across America. Biden emphasized that America was built upon peaceful protest, but the various images seen in recent weeks at universities go against that principle.

"We've all seen the images, and they put to the test two fundamental American principles. The first is the right to free speech and the right for the people to peacefully assemble and make their voices heard. The second is the rule of law. Both must be upheld. We are not an authoritarian nation where we silence people or squash dissent. The American people are heard," Biden said. "In fact, peaceful protest is in the best tradition of how Americans respond to consequential issues, but neither are we a lawless country. We are a civil society, and order must prevail. Throughout our history, we have often faced moments like this because we are a big, diverse, free-thinking, and freedom-loving nation. In moments like this, there are always those who rush to score political points, but this isn't a moment for politics; it's a moment for clarity."

The president then emphasized that violent protest is not protected in America, adding that "destroying property is not a peaceful protest. It's against the law. Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduation, none of this is a peaceful protest. Threatening people, intimidating people, and distilling fear in people are not peaceful protests. It is against the law."

"Let's be clear about this as well: there should be no place on any campus, no place in America, for anti-Semitism or threats of violence against Jewish students," Biden said, adding that there is no place for racism in America against Arab-Americans and Palestinian-Americans. Biden then concluded his speech by emphasizing that he would stand up for freedom of speech and the rule of law amid the ongoing protests.

As he walked out of the room, reporters asked Biden if the protests had forced him to reconsider any of his policies surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict or whether he would call in the National Guard to quell the protests. To both of these questions, Biden said, "No."

Biden's remarks come after weeks of unrest on college campuses as anti-Israel agitators have occupied universities and harassed Jewish students. Law enforcement at various colleges nationwide have been called to break up these lawless demonstrations after some universities like Columbia were forced to cease operations due to the turmoil.

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