Former NY Governor Condemns Biden, Columbia Over Antisemitic College Protests

George Pataki accuses President Biden and university administrators of inaction, warning that Iran is using the chaos as propaganda.

Former New York Governor George Pataki has vehemently denounced President Biden and Columbia University for their perceived inaction over the antisemitic protests sweeping college campuses in the state. Pataki, who left office in 2006, branded the protests as "acts of anarchy" and asserted that they should have been quashed from the outset.

"This is just disgusting and it shouldn't be tolerated. These are not acts of free speech or protest," Pataki remarked on Fox News' "The Story." He emphasized the responsibility of university administrators and law enforcement to promptly intervene when the law is violated.

Pataki, a Columbia Law School graduate, recalled his involvement in anti-Vietnam War protests on campus while expressing dismay at the current unrest. He stressed the importance of maintaining order to prevent escalation into violence.

"The longer it goes, the more propensity for violence there is, so it should have been shut down day one," he declared.

The former governor pointed to an incident at City College, where protesters removed the American flag and replaced it with a Palestinian banner. Mayor Eric Adams condemned the desecration, and Pataki praised NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry for restoring Old Glory shortly after midnight.

Pataki expressed particular disappointment in President Biden's relative quiet on the issue, noting that the White House had largely relied on statements from spokesmen and brief remarks by the president. Biden eventually condemned the violence but stressed the importance of peaceful protest.

"We are not an authoritarian nation where we silence people or squash dissent. The American people are heard. In fact, peaceful protest is in the best tradition of how Americans respond to consequential issues. But neither are we a lawless country. We're a civil society and order must prevail," Biden stated.

Pataki remained unconvinced, asserting that Iranian state television has been broadcasting footage of the protests to bolster its anti-American propaganda.

"Al Jazeera has played them all across the Middle East," he added. "This hurts the peace process. This empowers the radicals like Hamas, and whether or not it's intentional by those protesters, it is hurting the prospect for peace. It's got to be stopped. They should be arrested."

Pataki also called for the prosecution and expulsion of students involved in the unrest. According to the New York Post, an Iranian university has offered scholarships to expelled students and terminated professors.

"This is not acceptable. We cannot allow foreign powers to exploit our internal conflicts to further their own agendas," Pataki stated. "President Biden and university administrators must act decisively to restore order and protect the safety of our students and communities."

The antisemitic protests have sparked widespread condemnation and concern, with many calling for immediate action to prevent further escalation and protect the rights of all students.