On May 25, 2023, the Biden administration issued a first-of-its-kind national strategy to combat antisemitism. The detailed document establishes principles for the activity and responsibilities of the various government agencies, and calls for action by local authorities and non-governmental institutions and bodies, based on four main efforts:
a. Raising understanding and awareness regarding the threat of antisemitism and expanding recognition of the heritage of American Jews
b. Improving the physical security of the Jewish communities
c. Reversing the trend of "normalizing" antisemitism, and confronting antisemitic discrimination
d. Building solidarity between communities and fostering collective action against hate.
The strategy received broad support by the mainstream organizations of American Jews as well as by progressive organizations whose involvement in the formulation of the strategy is evident. The main nuance in the messages of support of the bodies and organizations has highlighted the fierce debate over the definition of antisemitism. The strategy adopts the working definition of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), and at the same time welcomes the definition of the Nexus document. The IHRA definition, which has already been adopted by 40 countries and many hundreds of bodies and institutions, broadly refers to cases in which hostility to Israel manifests itself in antisemitism. Its opponents, especially among progressive circles, claim that it is used to silence legitimate criticism of Israel .
In addition, critics of the strategy emphasized, inter alia, the issue of partners for promoting the fight against antisemitism. In the press release that accompanied the strategy document, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) was mentioned as a partner and a body that will organize a tour for religious communities, in whose framework they will learn how to protect their places of worship. CAIR is a prominent Islamist organization associated with the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood in the United States, which was identified in court in the past as part of the Hamas support network and continues today to promote and defend antisemitic personalities and messages.
In conclusion, the new US strategy is an important and welcome initiative. As in other cases, its main test will be in the transition from a statement of intentions to actual implementation and from there to actual achievements in the fight against rising antisemitism in the US.
On May 25, 2023, the Biden administration issued a first-of-its-kind national strategy to combat antisemitism. The detailed document establishes principles for the activity and responsibilities of the various government agencies, and calls for action by local authorities and non-governmental institutions and bodies, based on four main efforts:
a. Raising understanding and awareness regarding the threat of antisemitism and expanding recognition of the heritage of American Jews
b. Improving the physical security of the Jewish communities
c. Reversing the trend of "normalizing" antisemitism, and confronting antisemitic discrimination
d. Building solidarity between communities and fostering collective action against hate.
The strategy received broad support by the mainstream organizations of American Jews as well as by progressive organizations whose involvement in the formulation of the strategy is evident. The main nuance in the messages of support of the bodies and organizations has highlighted the fierce debate over the definition of antisemitism. The strategy adopts the working definition of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), and at the same time welcomes the definition of the Nexus document. The IHRA definition, which has already been adopted by 40 countries and many hundreds of bodies and institutions, broadly refers to cases in which hostility to Israel manifests itself in antisemitism. Its opponents, especially among progressive circles, claim that it is used to silence legitimate criticism of Israel .
In addition, critics of the strategy emphasized, inter alia, the issue of partners for promoting the fight against antisemitism. In the press release that accompanied the strategy document, the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) was mentioned as a partner and a body that will organize a tour for religious communities, in whose framework they will learn how to protect their places of worship. CAIR is a prominent Islamist organization associated with the activities of the Muslim Brotherhood in the United States, which was identified in court in the past as part of the Hamas support network and continues today to promote and defend antisemitic personalities and messages.
In conclusion, the new US strategy is an important and welcome initiative. As in other cases, its main test will be in the transition from a statement of intentions to actual implementation and from there to actual achievements in the fight against rising antisemitism in the US.