White House Condemns Anti-Semitic Vandalism and Removal of Posters Featuring Israeli Hostages by Hamas

White House Press Secretary faces criticism for initial resistance to condemn anti-Semitic acts of removing posters of Israeli hostages; later issues statement labeling the acts as "wrong and hurtful".

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre initially declined to outright condemn the removal of posters showing Israeli hostages, skirted around the question during a press briefing, but later labeled the act as 'wrong and hurtful' on social media.
Jean-Pierre's initial non-committal response received a wave of criticism online, with critics accusing the administration of weakness and fear of confronting the 'pro-terrorist left'.
The Israeli hostage posters being torn down relate to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, with the war now over a month old and hostages still held captive by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The White House clarified that it condemns anti-Semitism and is deeply concerned about the rise in anti-Semitic threats and violence. It continues to monitor and address such threats alongside federal agencies.
Meanwhile, posters have been erected worldwide to draw attention to more than 200 hostages taken by Hamas during an October 7th terrorist attack in Israel. The removal of these posters, often captured and shared via social media, has sparked heated debates about free and peaceful protest.