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US announces ‘Islamophobia strategy’ | US announces ‘Islamophobia strategy’ |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The White House has vowed to fight hatred targeting Muslims in America | |
President Joe Biden’s administration will develop a strategy to combat Islamophobia in the US, the White House said on Thursday, after reports of widespread discontent among American Muslims over Washington’s support for Israel. | President Joe Biden’s administration will develop a strategy to combat Islamophobia in the US, the White House said on Thursday, after reports of widespread discontent among American Muslims over Washington’s support for Israel. |
“President Biden ran for office to restore the soul of our nation. He is unequivocal: There is no place for hate in America against anyone. Period,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement. “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.” | |
Developing the “comprehensive and detailed plan” to protect “Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim” for any reason from “discrimination, hate, bigotry, and violence” will be a joint project of the Domestic Policy Council (DPC) and the National Security Council, in partnership with local communities, a White House official told CNN. | |
The NSC is led by Jake Sullivan, who penned an article for Foreign Affairs Magazine just before the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, describing the Middle East as “quieter than it has been for decades.” | |
In charge of the DPC is Neera Tanden, a longtime associate of Democratic strategist and advisor John Podesta. Biden originally wanted to appoint the latter head of the Office of Management and Budget, but faced opposition in the Senate. | |
The announcement came after Biden’s trip to Minnesota, where he met with several Muslim activists – including Attorney General Keith Ellison, a former deputy chairman of the Democratic Party. Ahead of the visit, a coalition of Muslim activists in Minnesota demanded that Biden call for a ceasefire in Gaza or face losing some 50,000 votes in the Midwestern state. | |
“They’ve taken us for granted,” Jaylani Hussein, a Muslim community organizer in Minnesota, told HuffPost. | “They’ve taken us for granted,” Jaylani Hussein, a Muslim community organizer in Minnesota, told HuffPost. |
“What’s happening is betrayal,” said Hassan Abdel Salam, a human rights professor in Minneapolis. | “What’s happening is betrayal,” said Hassan Abdel Salam, a human rights professor in Minneapolis. |
Muslims boycotting elections or switching sides could cost Biden next year in the key swing states of Michigan, Pennsylvania and Georgia, according to HuffPost. Polls have shown a sharp drop in approval for Biden and the Democrats in general among the Muslim constituency in recent weeks. Many Muslim Democrats are now saying they won’t support Biden’s re-election or down-ballot candidates, in disapproval of the White House’s Israel strategy. | |
Biden has declared full support for Israel’s war on Gaza following the October 7 incursion by Hamas, despite repeated calls for a humanitarian ceasefire and growing complaints about Israel’s indiscriminate bombing of civilians. |