In a move aimed at addressing the growing concerns over hate crimes and discrimination, the Biden administration has announced a national strategy to counter Islamophobia. This announcement comes on the heels of a recent poll that highlighted a significant decline in Arab-American support for the president and his fellow Democrats.
According to a Reuters/Zogby poll, only 17% of Arab-Americans expressed support for President Biden, a considerable drop from the 59% support he received in the 2020 election. Prior to the Israeli-Hamas conflict, support from this group had already fallen to 35%. The poll also revealed that for the first time since 1997, a majority of Arab-Americans did not identify as Democrats, with 32% identifying as Republicans and 31% as independents.
FBI Director Christopher Wray, in his testimony before the Senate Homeland Security Committee, highlighted the alarming rise in attacks on Jewish-Americans, accounting for approximately 60% of all religious-based hate crimes. The Biden administration’s strategy will be a joint effort led by the Domestic Policy Council and the National Security Council, aiming to counter the scourge of Islamophobia and hate in all its forms.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged the disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks and discriminatory incidents endured by Muslims in America and those perceived to be Muslim, such as Arabs and Sikhs. The administration plans to work closely with community leaders, advocates, members of Congress, and more to develop and implement this strategy.
While some have speculated that the strategy is a response to the declining support among Arab-Americans, the White House has stated that the initiative had been planned for months. It is worth noting that this announcement follows an earlier strategy to combat antisemitism, which was announced in May.
In addition to addressing Islamophobia, the Biden administration also intends to partner with colleges to combat the “alarming rise” of antisemitic threats and incidents on campuses across the country. However, during a White House press briefing, it was indicated that individuals making “violent antisemitic threats” in the U.S. would not be classified as “domestic terrorists.”
These latest developments highlight the Biden administration’s efforts to address the concerns of minority communities and combat hate crimes. With declining support among Arab-Americans, the administration aims to regain trust and work towards a more inclusive and tolerant society.
