Karine Jean-Pierre struggled to address inquiries regarding the funding sources of anti-Israel protests on college campuses during a tense exchange with Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced tough questioning from Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy on Wednesday regarding who is financing the recent spate of anti-Israel protests on U.S. college campuses. The inquiry came in light of reports of organized and violent actions at institutions like Columbia University, where protesters barricaded a building and reportedly held janitors hostage.
Jean-Pierre did not provide specifics on whether the Biden administration would launch an investigation into the funding of these protests, which have seen participants with matching equipment and tactics suggestive of professional organization. “What I can say is—you know, um … I cannot uh … I cannot speak to the organizations that are being reported that are on the ground,” Jean-Pierre responded, deferring to local authorities and highlighting the federal support available through the DOJ and FBI.
The discussion also touched on accusations of antisemitism linked to the protests, an issue that has seen Jewish students and professors blocked from campus buildings. According to CNN, Rabbi Elie Buechler advised nearly 300 mostly Orthodox Jewish students to leave campus for their safety. Tensions escalated when a pro-Palestine leader at Columbia was recorded in a video targeting Jewish students, exacerbating concerns over their safety.
Jean-Pierre was also challenged on President Biden’s silence on these campus incidents, particularly in comparison to his vocal condemnation of the 2017 Charlottesville riot. She defended the president’s record, stating, “The president has not been silent on this issue when it comes to hate speech, antisemitism—,” and emphasized the administration’s proactive measures against antisemitism, which included over 100 new actions.
This exchange underscores the complex and heated nature of the discussions surrounding free speech, protest funding, and antisemitism in the U.S., particularly in academic settings. Further details and clarifications from local law enforcement and federal agencies are awaited as the situation continues to develop.
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