House Democrat says Americans should be ‘deeply concerned’ about anti-Israel protests: ‘We should all be outraged’

Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., said all Americans should be “outraged” by anti-Israel protests wreaking havoc on college campuses across the country.

“We should all be outraged by what is happening and deeply concerned,” Gottheimer said Thursday on “Fox & Friends.”

“I think that’s why we fought so hard, and we’re proud to have passed key bipartisan legislation yesterday, clearly defining anti-Semitism, ensuring that no one on campus feels unwelcome there…being harassed and intimidated.” he continued. “And I think that’s a critical part of this. But at the end of the day, there is a way to have civil discourse on campus and debate issues. Clearly, this is not the way to do it.”

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Gottheimer also predicted that President Biden would speak out on the issue, as critics have criticized his silence.

“I think we need to hear from all of our country’s leaders right now about how to confront hate and discrimination,” Gottheimer said, after the hosts pressed him on why Biden had not yet given a speech while the protests had subsided. intensified this week at UCLA. and Columbia University in New York City.

The White House announced shortly afterward that Biden would address the situation, and the president told the nation Thursday that Americans have the right to protest but not to “cause chaos.”

“Violent protest is not protected. Peaceful protest is,” he said. “It is illegal when violence occurs. Destroying property is not a peaceful protest.”

“There should be no place on any campus, anywhere in America, for anti-Semitism or threats of violence against Jewish students,” he continued.

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Gottheimer said everyone’s number one priority should be ensuring law enforcement and students are safe.

“That’s the key for me, making sure everyone is safe on campus,” he said.

The House voted Wednesday to expand the legal definition of anti-Semitism used to enforce anti-discrimination laws. The bill passed the House overwhelmingly by 320 votes in favor and 91 against, with a majority of Republicans and Democrats.

If passed by the Senate and signed by President Biden, the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act would require the Department of Education to legally adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Act. definition of antisemitism when applying anti-discrimination rules.

Police arrive at the UCLA campus, which has been rocked by anti-Israel demonstrations. (AP/Ethan Swope)

Gottheimer, who was among key supporters, was asked how some Democrats can support protesters even when they clash with law enforcement.

“Well, obviously, no one should attack the authorities and we can’t sit idly by. And what we’re seeing, these images, are deeply disturbing,” Gottheimer said.

“I’ve seen videos, I’m sure you have too, of people calling for the death of Jews and shouting, in support of Hamas, ‘We are all Hamas,'” he continued.

“That’s all something that you guys, I just can’t believe, is happening on our college campuses… Democrats and Republicans who, I was surprised, voted against the anti-Semitism bill yesterday.”

Hundreds of students protest outside the Palestinian Solidarity Camp on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

Critics of the bill have attacked it as government overreach and said it would negatively impact free speech on campus. The opposition was led in part by Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., a Jewish progressive who is the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee.

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“Of course, free speech must be protected in this great country. But there is a huge difference between harassing, intimidating and discriminating against anyone, something that should not be allowed on our college campuses,” Gottheimer said.

“Hate should not be allowed on our college campuses,” he continued. “There is a difference, again, between civil discourse and debate, which we should encourage on our college campuses. Even we don’t agree. And what you’re seeing happening now.”

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Fox News Digital’s Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.