Vice President Kamala Harris announced a “National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia.”
The move comes as the United States has seen a rise in antisemitism since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on October 7.
“Our nation was founded on the fundamental principle that all people should have the freedom to live, to worship, and to be–without fear of violence or persecution,” Harris said in a video posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.
“For years, Muslims in America and those perceived to be Muslim have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks,” Harris added. As a result of the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, we have seen an uptick in anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, antisemitic, and Islamophobic incidents across America, including the brutal attack of a Palestinian-American woman, who is Muslim, and the killing of her 6-year-old son.”
“And so today, I am proud to announce the Biden-Harris administration will develop our nation’s first National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia. This strategy will be a comprehensive and detailed plan to protect Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim from hate, bigotry, and violence,” the vice president noted. “And to address the concern that some government policies may discriminate against Muslims.”
“So here’s the bottom line: In America, no one should be made to fight hate alone. And in this moment, then, let us all clearly say, ‘A harm against one of us is a harm against all of us.'”
Taking on hate is a national priority.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) November 1, 2023
Today, @POTUS and I are announcing the country's first National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia.
This action is the latest step forward in our work to combat a surge of hate in America. pic.twitter.com/pxZAn7RymY
The video was condemned on social media, with defense attorney Marina Medvin tweeting, “Your country has a rise in ANTISEMITISM and you decide to tackle ‘Islamophobia’ instead? — which, by the way, isn’t even statistically increasing like antisemitism, not in the least.”
Your country has a rise in ANTISEMITISM and you decide to tackle “Islamophobia” instead? — which, by the way, isn’t even statistically increasing like antisemitism, not in the least.
— Marina Medvin 🇺🇸 (@MarinaMedvin) November 1, 2023
Canadian professor Gad Saad similarly shared, “According to the @FBI director, Jews make up 2.4% of the US population but are the targets of 60% of hate crimes. This is why it is apparently important to fight Islamophobia according to the White House.”
According to the @FBI director, Jews make up 2.4% of the US population but are the targets of 60% of hate crimes. This is why it is apparently important to fight Islamophobia according to the White House. https://t.co/fxtto7ROwb
— Gad Saad (@GadSaad) November 2, 2023
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre also released a statement on the matter.
“For too long, Muslims in America, and those perceived to be Muslim, such as Arabs and Sikhs, have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks and other discriminatory incidents,” she stated, adding, “Moving forward, the President, Vice President, and our entire Administration will continue working to ensure every American has the freedom to live their lives in safety and without fear for how they pray, what they believe, and who they are.”
Amid attacks and threats against Jewish students, Harvard President Claudine Gay created an “antisemitism advisory board.”
The decision follows the Ivy League university being criticized for failing to condemn its pro-Hamas students.
“As we grapple with this resurgence of bigotry, I want to make one thing absolutely clear: Antisemitism has no place at Harvard,” Gay said at a Shabbat dinner hosted by Harvard Hillel, a Jewish campus group, on Friday.
“For years, this university has done too little to confront its continuing presence. No longer,” the Harvard president added.
