Biden tries to have it both ways by condemning 'anti-Semitic protests' on college campuses AND people who 'don't understand' the Palestinian situation

President Joe Biden walked a thin line Monday when asked if he had a message to protesters and if he condemned the antisemitic protests on college campuses. 

Biden was departing an Earth Day event at Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, Virginia, after appearing alongside a trio of progressive lawmakers - Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sens. Bernie Sanders and Ed Markey.

Opening for Biden, AOC had applauded the college demonstrations - though stayed tight-lipped about anti-Semitic rhetoric targeting Jewish students, especially at New York's Columbia University.    

'I condemn the antisemitic protests. That's why I've set up a program to deal with that,' Biden said. 'I also condemn those who don't understand what's going on with the Palestinians,' he added, not finishing his thought due to a reporter asking another question. 

One of the top Jewish groups on Columbia's campus said in a social media post Sunday that Jewish students are being targeted by protesters telling them to 'go back to Poland' and 'stop killing children.' 

President Joe Biden walked a thin line Monday when asked if he had a message to protesters and if he condemned the antisemitic protests on college campuses

Protesters at Columbia have created a Pro-Palestine encampment on campus, with more than 100 arrested during sit-ins last week

Early Monday embattled Columbia President Nemat 'Minouche' Shafik announced that classes would be held virtually and a campus rabbi encouraged Jewish students to return home for their safety. 

Asked if Shafik should be resign, Biden answered, 'I’ll have to find out more about it.'

On Monday billionaire alum Robert Kraft announced he'd be pulling his financial support from the university over the anti-Israel demonstrations.

'The school I love so much – the one that welcomed me and provided me with so much opportunity – is no longer an institution I recognize,' The New England Patriots' owner said. 'I am deeply saddened at the virulent hate that continues to grow on campus and throughout our country.'

Last week more than 100 students were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday for participating in sit-ins but by Friday students had returned to their 'Gaza solidarity camp.'

One of those arrested and then suspended was fellow Squad member Rep. Ilhan Omar's daughter.

The president and the so-called Squad, which includes AOC, haven't seen eye to eye on the topic of Israel in the aftermath of the October 7 Hamas terror attack.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left) praised pro-Palestinian protesters Monday at an Earth Day event in Virginia as she opened for President Joe Biden (right). A number of antisemitic incidents were chronicled at Columbia University's protests over the weekend 

'You know, I learned a long time ago - listen to that lady, listen to that lady,' President Joe Biden (left) told the Earth Day crowd about AOC (right). He also said, 'We're going to talk more about another part of the world too real quickly' - a hint they would talk about the Middle East

President Joe Biden (center) at an Earth Day event in Prince William Forest Park in Triangle, Virginia alonsgide (from left) Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Za'Nyia Kelly and Sen. Ed Markey

President Joe Biden (right) took the trio of lawmakers home with him. He walked into the Oval Office alongside Sen. Bernie Sanders (center) and followed by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left) and Sen. Ed Markey (not pictured) 

But Biden and AOC have partnered on climate change initiatives. 

That brought her to the Earth Day event Monday with her saying that Biden's federal investment in climate change came about due to the 'power of organizing' - bringing together 'young people, climate advocates, labor organizers and working people of all backgrounds.' 

'It is especially important that we remember the power of young people shaping this country today, of all days, as we once again witness the leadership of those peaceful student-led protests on campuses like Columbia and Yale and Berkeley and many others,' Ocasio-Cortez said.  

Moments later, Biden came onstage and commended AOC, telling the crowd, 'You know, I learned a long time ago - listen to that lady, listen to that lady.' 

'We're going to talk more about another part of the world too real quickly,' he said - a hint they would talk about the Middle East after the official program ended.

The two were seen huddling and then held hands walking off the podium.

Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders and Markey accompanied Biden back to the White House, on board the presidential helicopter Marine One, and walked as a group into the Oval Office.