Democratic college group voices solidarity for campus protesters, criticizes White House

The college outreach arm of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) voiced solidarity with pro-Palestinian protestors at campuses across the country and criticized the White House for its handling of the Israel-Hamas war in a statement Tuesday.

“This past week, we witnessed heroic actions on the part of students around the country to protest and sit in for an end to the war in Palestine and the release of the hostages,” the College Democrats of America statement reads.

“Since the beginning of this conflict, College Democrats and students from every walk of life have had the moral clarity to see this war for what it is: destructive, genocidal, and unjust,” the statement continues. 

The statement slammed “MAGA Republicans” and other lawmakers for “smearing all protesters as hateful,” when the majority of protests have remained peaceful.

The statement also criticized the White House’s approach to the war, stating that while the outreach arm is  “committed to the reelection of President Biden and Democrats across down-ballot races in every corner of our nation,” they also “reserve the right to criticize our own party when it fails to represent youth voices.”

“The White House has taken the mistaken route of a bear hug strategy for [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] and a cold shoulder strategy for its own base and all Americans who want to see an end to this war. Each day that Democrats fail to stand united for a permanent ceasefire, two-state solution, and recognition of a Palestinian state, more and more youth find themselves disillusioned with the party,” it said.

Protests across the country — from Columbia University and other Ivy League schools on the east coast to state universities in Michigan, Texas and California — have focused on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and demanded a ceasefire to protect Palestinian lives.

Demonstrators at Columbia took over a building on campus Tuesday, barricading entrances and flying a Palestinian flag outside a window of the university’s Hamilton Hall, according to The Associated Press.

The statement expressed solidarity with protestors “calling for an immediate permanent ceasefire, release of hostages, and a two-state solution where both Palestinians and Israelis can live side by side in peace.”

“As young voters, we are well aware that come November, our votes will determine who wins the White House,” the statement continues.

The Hill has reached out to the DNC, the White House and the Biden campaign for comment.