President Biden condemns violent anti-Israel protests, won't call up National Guard

US President Joe Biden walks on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One in Washington, DC, US, on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. (Ron Sachs/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

President Biden gave remarks on the anti-Israel protests happening on college campuses across the nation on Thursday, condemning violent and unlawful acts. 

In a speech delivered from the White House, Biden said the United States is "not an authoritarian nation where we silence people or squash dissent." 

"But neither are we a lawless country," the president said. "We're a civil society and order must prevail." 

Biden said the crisis on college campuses "isn't a moment for politics" but rather "a moment for clarity." 

"So let me be clear: Peaceful protest in America. Violent protest is not protected, peaceful protest is. It's against the law when violence occurs. Destroying property is not a peaceful protest, it's against the law. Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing cancellation of classes and graduations — none of this is a peaceful protest. 

"Threatening people, intimidating people, instilling fear in people is not peaceful protest. It's against the law." 

The president reiterated that there should be no place for antisemitism on college campuses. He told reporters he would not call up the National Guard to end ongoing encampments at various universities.