AOC praises pro-Palestinian protesters causing chaos with tent camps at Columbia and Yale as she introduces Biden, who says: 'Listen to that lady'

Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez applauded pro-Palestinian protesters Monday as she opened for President Joe Biden at an Earth Day event in Virginia. 

AOC and fellow progressives, Sens. Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey, were tapped to be the opening act at an event in which the president announced an expansion of the American Climate Corps, a green jobs training program, and more money toward residential solar panels. 

When it was Ocasio-Cortez's turn to speak she noted that Biden's federal investment in climate change came about due to the 'power of organizing' - bringing together 'young people, climate advocates, labor organizers and working people of all backgrounds.' 

'It is especially important that we remember the power of young people shaping this country today of all days, as we once again witness the leadership of those peaceful student-led protests on campuses like Columbia and Yale and Berkeley and many others,' Ocasio-Cortez said. 

Moments later, Biden came onstage and commended 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 real quickly,' he said - a hint they would talk about the Middle East after the official program.

Biden and the New York Democrat could be seen huddling afterward and also holding hands as they walked offstage. 

The president and the so-called Squad, which includes AOC, haven't seen eye to eye on the topic of Israel in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas terror attack. 

While Ocasio-Cortez lauded student demonstrators, over the weekend protesters on and off Columbia's campus veered into antisemitic territory. 

White House spokesman Andrew Bates condemned the actions of these protesters.

'While every American has the right to peaceful protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly antisemitic, unconscionable and dangerous,' Bates said in a statement. 

When asked about these incidents Monday, the president made a similar point.  

'I condemn the antisemitic protests. That's why I have set up a program to deal with that,' Biden told reporters as he left Virginia. 

'I also condemn those who don't understand what's going on with the Palestinians,' the president also offered.