Joe Biden calls for a "pause" in the war between Israel and Hamas and announces a national strategy against "Islamophobia"

The president equates hate crimes against Muslims with anti-Semitism, without mentioning the increase in harassment and threats against the Jewish community in the country.

Reunión entre Antony Blinken, Kamala Harris y Joe Biden. — (Adam Schultz/White House/Flickr)

Published by

Juan Carlos Téllez Israel Duro

2 de noviembre, 2023

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President Joe Biden called in recent hours for a "pause" in the war that Israel is waging against Hamas terrorism after the brutal attacks on October 7. In addition, the White House announced a national strategy against "Islamophobia" equating hatred against Muslims with anti-Semitism without mentioning the increase in harassment and threats against the Jewish community in the country.

Biden: "I think we need a pause"

During a campaign speech in Minneapolis, one of those attending the event urged Biden to call for a ceasefire. At that moment, the president noted, "I think we need a pause," saying that this temporary pause would allow the hostages to leave.

Biden's statements come at a time of negotiations to release the still 242 hostages captured by the Hamas terrorist group on October 7 after the unprecedented attack against Israel.

The first "national strategy" against Islamophobia

On the other hand, despite the Hamas massacre in Israel and the continuous acts of anti-Semitism experienced over the last month in the United States, the Biden Administration seems more concerned about protecting Islam. This is clear from the statement issued by the White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, in which she announced the launch "of the first-ever U.S. National Strategy to counter Islamophobia."

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. We all mourn the recent barbaric killing of Wadea Al-Fayoume, a 6-year-old Palestinian American Muslim boy, and the brutal attack on his mother in their home outside Chicago.

"In the United States there is no place for hatred against anyone. Period"

Therefore, in line with President Biden's goal when he "ran for election," which was to "restore the soul of our nation," he wanted to make it clear that "in the United States, there is no place for hate against anyone. Period." In the statement, the leader of the Executive and Vice President Kamala Harris note that they will work with "community leaders, advocates, members of Congress, and more to develop the strategy - which will be a joint effort led by the Domestic Policy Council and the National Security Council - and counter the scourge of Islamophobia and hate in all its forms."

To justify the need for this initiative, the White House once again equated "Islamophobia" with anti-Semitism, without making any reference to the manifestations of hatred and harassment that Jewish communities are suffering in the country since the massacre of Israeli civilians last month on October 7.

Today’s announcement is the latest step as part of President Biden’s directive last year to establish an interagency group to increase and better coordinate U.S. Government efforts to counter Islamophobia, Antisemitism, and related forms of bias and discrimination within the United States. 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.