President Joe Biden will unveil a new national strategy to battle Islamophobia, despite criticism from some Muslim Americans over the administration’s support for Israel’s anti-Hamas war, which has resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties across the Gaza Strip.
The White House said in a statement that administration officials will meet with Muslim community leaders, advocates, and members of Congress to devise the approach. The campaign will be overseen by Biden’s Domestic Policy Council and National Security Council, and it comes after the White House unveiled the first-ever US anti-antisemitism national strategy in May.
“As you’ve heard the president say, hate has no place, whether it’s antisemitism or Islamophobia and discrimination and hate and threats to the Muslim community here in the United States, or the Arab community here in the United States, or the Palestinian community here in the United States,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters earlier Wednesday aboard Air Force One.
Events targeting Muslim and Jewish Americans have increased dramatically
The idea was presented as Biden was in Minnesota, where demonstrators chastised him for his backing for Israel’s war campaign and where deteriorating support among Muslim American voters could play a role in his reelection campaign.
Following the fatal Oct. 7 assault by militants from Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist group by the US and the EU, Israel has pummeled Gaza, cutting off access to supplies and fuel. In the ensuing days, events targeting Muslim and Jewish Americans have increased dramatically, including the murder of a 6-year-old Palestinian American youngster near Chicago.
Earlier in the day, Biden stated that while he would continue to provide help to Israel as it attacked Hamas, the operations should be carried out “in a manner that is consistent with international humanitarian law and that prioritizes the protection of citizens.”