Emphasis by the U.S. President: Alongside Freedom of Speech, University Order Must Be Maintained

The President of the United States, in his first comments regarding pro-Palestinian protests at several universities in America, emphasized the "importance of maintaining freedom of speech and the rule of law" while stating that order must also prevail, even if dissent is essential for democracy. Joe Biden, in a televised speech on Thursday, stressed that the voices of the American people are being heard, saying: "We are not an authoritarian country that silences people or suppresses dissenters; in fact, peaceful protest aligns with the long-standing American tradition of responding to important issues." He further stated that he does not support the request from some Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, to send in the National Guard and suppress protests. The U.S. President noted that the university protests have not caused him to reconsider his approach to the Gaza war. Although his administration has criticized some of Israel's military actions, it continues to support their efforts to eliminate Hamas. Edward Mitchell, Deputy Director of the Islamic-American Relations Council, criticized Biden's speech in an interview with Voice of America, stating that he "does not explicitly condemn the violent actions of pro-Israel protesters and law enforcement against students protesting the Gaza conflict." Donald Trump, the former President of the United States and a potential Republican candidate for the November 2024 presidential election, also criticized Biden's approach to the protests on Wednesday, saying he has been "too lenient" towards the demonstrators. As elections approach, these protests have created a political challenge for Biden. Republicans claim he is ignoring lawlessness and anti-Semitism, while young voters are angry about police responses to unrest surrounding the Gaza conflict. Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, told Voice of America that "this is a well-known case of a political issue where the President cannot win." He added that this issue will be particularly challenging for a Democratic presidential candidate, who typically holds the votes of most American Jews and most Arab Americans. Joe Biden condemned the Republicans' rush to exploit the protests on campuses as "campaign fodder," stating, "In such situations, there are always those who rush to gain political advantage." Last week, he condemned what he termed "anti-Semitic protests" by "individuals who do not have a proper understanding of the Palestinian situation." From Los Angeles to New York, protests against the Gaza war have spread to more universities. Pro-Palestinian student protesters occupied a building at Columbia University. The U.S. stated that the Islamic Republic is in no position to criticize human rights in the United States. Concerns among American senators about the potential deployment of the National Guard to confront university protests. Student protesters against the Gaza war at some universities in the U.S. say the protests will continue. The U.S. stated that as long as the protesters' actions are not offensive, there is no problem with their expression.