In the wake of a surge in anti-Semitic incidents and attacks worldwide following an Islamic terrorist attack, Kamala Harris announced the administration’s focus on combating Islamophobia. However, the announcement faced significant backlash, with critics questioning the prioritization of combating Islamophobia over addressing the alarming rise in anti-Semitism.

Images of anti-Semitic demonstrations on college campuses, destruction of photos of Israeli children, and threats against Jews have gone viral in recent weeks. These incidents highlight the alarming increase in anti-Semitism and the urgent need to address this hate-fueled rhetoric. It is crucial to acknowledge the gravity of the situation and understand the impact on the Jewish community.

Vice President Kamala Harris took to social media to announce the country’s first National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia. In her video announcement, she highlighted the disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks against Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim in America. Harris also linked the announcement to the recent Hamas terrorist attack in Israel and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which she claimed led to an uptick in anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, anti-Semitic, and Islamophobic incidents across America.

Harris’ announcement drew widespread mockery and criticism online. Critics questioned the administration’s decision to combat Islamophobia while anti-Semitic incidents continued to rise. Author Abigail Shrier highlighted the irony of prioritizing Islamophobia over the immediate physical danger faced by the Jewish community. Professor Gad Saad referenced statistics from the FBI, revealing that Jews make up only 2.4% of the US population but are the targets of 60% of hate crimes. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman questioned the political motivations behind the decision, suggesting a lack of genuine concern for combating anti-Semitism.

The rise in anti-Semitism is a cause for concern, with hate crimes targeting Jews reaching alarming levels. Former U.S. Senate candidate Adam Laxalt highlighted an anti-Semitic hate crime in Las Vegas, where a wall in a Jewish community was tagged with hate speech. Laxalt emphasized the urgent need to prioritize stopping the hate against the Jewish community.

According to the @FBI director, Jews make up 2.4% of the US population but are the targets of 60% of hate crimes. This is why it is apparently important to fight Islamophobia according to the White House. https://t.co/fxtto7ROwb

— Gad Saad (@GadSaad) November 2, 2023

Today, a wall in a large Jewish community in Las Vegas was tagged with “Death 2 Jews”

This is just one example of many hateful acts of antisemitism we’ve seen across the country.

Our VP should be prioritizing stopping the hate against the Jewish community right now. https://t.co/gXqcBFY66Q pic.twitter.com/AuDKWTx42d

— Adam Paul Laxalt (@AdamLaxalt) November 1, 2023

Political leaders play a vital role in addressing hate and discrimination. The choice to prioritize combating Islamophobia over tackling rising anti-Semitism has sparked debate about the administration’s commitment to protecting the Jewish community. Representative Derrick Van Orden pointed out the alarming levels of anti-Semitism and questioned how anyone concerned about the survival of Jewish people could support members of the Democratic Party.