USA: We Have No Problem with Protesters' Expression as Long as Their Actions Are Not Offensive

On Thursday, the Deputy Spokesperson of the U.S. State Department emphasized that holding protests and chanting slogans is a fundamental right of U.S. citizens, as long as it does not escalate into violence and no group is insulted. Vedant Patel referred to demonstrations occurring at some universities in the U.S. in protest against the Israel-Hamas war, stating, "Slogans and words have been heard that are provocative and offensive and are rooted in anti-Semitism." Since the death toll in the Gaza war surpassed 30,000, students in various parts of the U.S. have been protesting on their campuses against President Joe Biden's policy towards Israel. The Deputy Spokesperson did not only defend Jews but also mentioned that similar anti-Islam slogans directed at Arab Americans and Palestinians have been heard, which is also unacceptable. The Biden administration is concerned that such slogans may gradually become the main issue and incite conflict between two groups of citizens. Student protests, whether in support of Palestinians or Jews, which initially began peacefully at over 10 universities, eventually led to the Texas State Guard's intervention at the University of Texas at Austin and the arrest of over 50 demonstrators. Nonetheless, the differing opinions among citizens in the U.S. will not change the Biden administration's policy, as Vedant Patel stated that the Biden administration "is trying to pursue a policy that is in the interest of the American people and their national security." He identified the ultimate goal of this policy as defeating the Iran-backed militant group Hamas, establishing an independent state for Palestinians, increasing humanitarian aid, and ensuring peace and stability in the region. During the State Department's press conference, a Palestinian journalist attempted to get the spokesperson to state that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's encouragement of the state guard's intervention at the University of Texas was a violation of U.S. sovereignty. However, Vedant Patel responded that he does not consider Netanyahu's remarks as interference, as it is state governments that make such decisions, and the opinions of others do not have an impact. A journalist from the Arabic section of Al Arabiya, an international Saudi Arabian media outlet, criticized Patel for not being willing to criticize Netanyahu while he himself criticizes the Islamic Republic for suppressing peaceful protesters. Patel stated that Netanyahu's remarks "have no moral equivalence to what the Iranian regime does." He added that the Islamic Republic "is one of the major violators of human rights with a long history in this regard."