White House condemns pro-Palestine Columbia University protesters storming ... trends now

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The White House on Tuesday condemned the pro-Palestine Columbia University protesters who stormed Hamilton Hall and unfurled a banner that read 'intifada.'

'President Biden has stood against repugnant, Antisemitic smears and violent rhetoric his entire life. He condemns the use of the term "intifada," as he has the other tragic and dangerous hate speech displayed in recent days,' spokesperson Andrew Bates said in a statement obtained by DailyMail.com. 

The phrase is used to encourage violence against Jews and Israelis. 

'President Biden respects the right to free expression, but protests must be peaceful and lawful,' Bates continued. 'Forcibly taking over buildings is not peaceful - it is wrong. And hate speeh and hate symbols have no place in America.'  

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called forcibly taking over a building on Columbia's campus 'absolutely the wrong approach' when asked about the demonstrations during a Tuesday morning press call.