Vice President Kamala Harris has come under fire on social media for a video “announcing the first National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia” with most users questioning the timing of the post just weeks after the attack of Hamas terrorists in Israel.
“Getting rid of hate is a national priority,” Harris said posted on Xlaunched the White House plan to “fight a surge of hatred in America.”
The timing of the post was immediately criticized on social media, with many also pointing to the recent rise in hate crimes against Jews.
“The same day the leadership of Hamas went on international TV and declared their goal was to wipe the Jews and Israel off the face of the planet,” The Spectator editor Stephen L. Miller posted on X. “It’s just amazing.”
THE SCOURE OF ANTISEMITISM IS GLOBAL AND INVISIBLE
Vice President Kamala Harris made remarks about the Biden Administration’s work on regulating artificial intelligence at an event in the East Room of the White House on Oct. 30, 2023 in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
“According to the FBI director, Jews make up 2.4% of the US population but are the targets of 60% of hate crimes,” political commentator Gad Saad posted on X. “This is why it seems important to fight Islamophobia according to the White House.”
“Anti-semitism is at its highest level since NAZI Germany and the Biden admin has decided to launch an anti-Islamophobia effort,” GOP Rep. Derrick Van Orden posted on X. “I have absolutely no idea how anyone who cares about the safety of the Jewish people would vote for any member of the Democratic Party.”
BIDEN WHITE HOUSE BRAINSTORMING ANTI-ISLAMOPHOBIA PROGRAM WITH WARNINGS AGAINST SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL
An anti-Israel sign with the phrase “from the river to the sea Palestine will be free” at a protest at Tulane University. (Credit: Ryan Zamos)
“Timing is everything and this in itself is a statement,” Fox News contributor Tammy Bruce posted on X. “This while Jews are being threatened, arrested, and attacked all over the world. Tells you all you need to know about the moral depravity and corruption of the Democratic Party and especially the people in the White House. Shame on them. “
“After the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust and a breakout of pro-Hamas activism on campus, the White House says *Islamophobia* is our main concern,” Republican Sen. Tom Cotton posted on X.
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An anti-Israel protester in Cambridge on Monday shouted insults at pro-Israel counter-protesters, calling them “pigs” and “Nazis.” (Kassy Dillon/Fox News Digital)
Hate crimes data released on October 16 by the FBI show that reported hate crime incidents in 2022 rose to 11,634, the highest number recorded since the FBI began tracking such data in 1991. Reported single-bias anti-Jewish hate crime incidents in the country rose more than 37%, reaching 1,122 incidents, the highest number recorded in nearly three decades and the second highest number on record.
The White House responded to a request for comment from Fox News Digital by pointing to several steps the administration has taken to combat antisemitism in the past month, including DHS and DOJ taking steps to coordinate in enforcing the law on the college campus and the Department of Education facilitating it. update of the intake process for complaints of discrimination under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, to specifically state that certain forms of antisemitism and Islamophobia are prohibited by this law.
“In addition, Senior Administration Officials are continuing to reach out to leading organizations and students to hear from them directly and discuss further actions to be taken,” a White House official said.
The White House also pointed to its first national strategy to combat antisemitism launched in May.
Brian Flood of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
