House GOP leaders promise accountability as anti-Israel demonstrations return to Columbia

Republican House leaders on Tuesday promised to hold anti-Israel protesters accountable for any damage and violence committed during demonstrations at college campuses, as students and faculty return for the new school year.

Protests have already started back up at Columbia University, which became a focal point of the demonstrations at the end of last school year. At least two protesters were arrested in New York on Tuesday, where the anti-Israel demonstrators have already defaced property, according to Fox News.

House Republican leaders were united on protecting Jewish students who were harassed by the pro-Hamas demonstrators, but disagreed on who was responsible. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise blamed the demonstrators for the protests, while House Majority Whip Tom Emmer accused Democrats of empowering the pro-Hamas mob.

"There should be a zero tolerance policy for antisemitic violence on campus that targets Jewish students," Scalise told Fox News. "If universities won’t hold protestors accountable, Congress will. We will continue our investigations and take action on the floor as students return to campus."

GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik said Columbia University officials were responsible for the unrest, and claimed they put "Jewish members of their community at risk and [allowed] antisemitic hate to take root at a once acclaimed institution.

"House Republicans will use every tool at our disposal to demand immediate action from Columbia University on behalf of the Jewish students who want to pursue their education without fear," she added.

House Speaker Mike Johnson did not blame a certain group for the protests, but urged the White House to condemn the demonstrations.

"It is the first day of class at Columbia University and the pro-Terrorist, antisemitic mob is already back," Johnson posted to X. "The Biden-Harris Administration should condemn this mob immediately."

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.