White House blasts pro-Palestine protestors taking over Columbia University as college leaders allow anti-Semitic rhetoric on Ivy League campus

The White House has joined a chorus of people across the political spectrum in slamming pro-Palestine protesters at Columbia University over anti-Semitic rhetoric at demonstrations on campus. 

The statement comes hours after a rabbi at Columbia University has cautioned Jewish students against returning to campus due to 'extreme antisemitism' amid a days-long protest in support of Palestine.

Now, the White House has had to issue a statement blasting the far left demonstrators in the latest example of what critics believe is a virus of anti-Semitism on Ivy League campuses. 

'While every American has the right to peaceful protest, calls for violence and physical intimidation targeting Jewish students and the Jewish community are blatantly anti-Semitic, unconscionable, and dangerous – they have absolutely no place on any college campus, or anywhere in the United States of America,' said White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates. 

More than 100 protestors have been arrested, an NYPD spokesperson confirmed to DailyMail.com, with many spouting hateful rhetoric claiming they were Hamas and shouting 'intifada' at Jewish students.

Some have even called for the death of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Fox News.  

'And echoing the rhetoric of terrorist organizations, especially in the wake of the worst massacre committed against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, is despicable. We condemn these statements in the strongest terms,' Bates added.

New York City's Democrat Mayor Eric Adams also targeted the protesters in a post on X.

'I am horrified and disgusted with the antisemitism being spewed at and around the Columbia University campus,' he wrote. 

'Hate has no place in our city, and I have instructed the NYPD to investigate any violation of law they receive a report about and will arrest anyone found to be breaking the law.'

He did, however, say that Columbia University is a private school on private property and therefor should 'improve and maintain an open line of communication with the NYPD to ensure the safety of all students and staff on campus.' 

Senator John Fetterman, perhaps the most consistently critical Democrat of what he deems 'pro-Hamas' protesters, compared them to the rioters at Charlottesville and had harsh words for Columbia University President Minouche Shafik.

'I fully agree with the White House — these 'protests' are antisemitic, unconscionable, and dangerous. Add some tiki torches and it's Charlottesville for these Jewish students. To @Columbia President Minouche Shafik: do your job or resign so Columbia can find someone who will.'

Tensions had been at boiling point since the protesters pitched tents on the university's south lawn at 4am on Wednesday, with several fights breaking out as they were met by pro-Israeli counter-demonstrators. 

For the fifth day, pro-Palestinian students occupy a central lawn on the Columbia University campus 

Dozens of New York Police Department officers have entered the so-called 'Gaza solidarity camp.' 

Ten students have been charged so far, mostly with resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration.

Among those arrested included Isra Hirsi, the daughter of 'Squad' Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. 

A large group of demonstrators met outside the university gates on Saturday while student protestors returned to the main lawn, waving flags and chanting.

Rabbi Elie Buechler of the Columbia/Barnard Hillel issued a warning to students on Sunday morning in a statement provided to DailyMail.com.

'What we are witnessing in and around campus is terrible and tragic,' Buechler wrote.

'The events of the last few days, especially last night, have made it clear that Columbia University's Public Safety and the NYPD cannot guarantee Jewish students' safety in the face of extreme antisemitism and anarchy.'

Buechler's statement came days after video surfaced showing a woman screaming 'We are Hamas!' while a man wearing a yarmulke and a Israeli flag on his back walked past.

As another man filmed the protestor and shoved his phone in her face, she repeated, 'Yes, we are all Hamas, b****!'

'It deeply pains me to say that I would strongly recommend you return home as soon as possible and remain home until the reality in and around campus has dramatically improved,' Buechler wrote.

'It is not our job as Jews to ensure our own safety on campus. No one should have to endure this level of hatred, let alone at school.'

The rabbi encouraged the students to reach out to him for help and ended the message: 'May we see better days on campus soon.'

Protests have exploded across the university's campus over the past few months as war continues to brew in the Middle East.

However, they have only intensified amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that has seen over 30,000 Palestinian civilians killed.

In a testimony before Congress, Shafik defended the students' actions and insisted she had been working to combat antisemitism.

Shafik asserted that the 'vast majority' of protests on campus have been 'peaceful' and said the college is focused on upholding free speech, but 'cannot and shouldn't tolerate abuses this pledge to harass and discriminate.' 

She noted holding daily meetings with the campus security team and working closely with the NYPD and FBI in instances where hate crimes are reported.

However, she was accused of breeding a 'hotbed of support for terrorism from radicalized faculty and students' by House GOP Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY).

Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) played a clip of students shouting 'Intifada!' and 'We will honor all the martyrs!' in reference to Hamas militants. 

'While antisemitism has been festering on numerous college campuses, Columbia University stands out as one of the worst offenders,' Foxx said.

Current students have spoken out against the politically charged climate at the school, alleging harassment and even violence.

One student appeared at a news conference ahead of last week's hearing, accusing administrators of '(sitting) idly by as a tsunami of antisemitism in the forms of harassment, bullying, exclusion, intimidation, and physical violence flooded every aspect of campus life.'

On Sunday, Stefanik called on Shafik to step down.

'Over the past few months and especially the last 24 hours, Columbia's leadership has clearly lost control of its campus putting Jewish students' safety at risk,' she wrote in a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter.

'President Shafik must immediately resign. And the Columbia Board must appoint a President who will protect Jewish students and enforce school policies.'

Similar demonstrations have erupted at Harvard University and Boston University in Massachusetts. 

The fallout from Harvard's response to the Israel-Hamas conflict saw the expulsion of former president Claudine Gay in January, marking the shortest tenure of any president in the school's history.

Gay agreed to resign, effective immediately, after the controversy led to numerous accusations of plagiarism.