President Joe Biden issued a strong call to confront a “ferocious surge” of antisemitism, asserting that hate has no place in the United States. He tied this rising hate to the Holocaust and Hamas’ attack on Israel. Biden’s speech came at a delicate time during his re-election campaign, with the October 7 attacks and the war in Gaza presenting significant political challenges. While Biden has shown unwavering support for Israel, the rising death toll among Palestinians has created divisions within the coalition that helped him win the presidency in 2020. Protests on college campuses against Israel’s campaign and the Biden administration’s support have brought potential political risks, especially among younger voters.
Speaking at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum’s annual Days of Remembrance ceremony at the US Capitol, Biden connected the horrors Jews faced during the Holocaust to the events in Israel and rising antisemitism after the October 7 attacks. He noted that hatred of Jews has a long history and continues to persist worldwide, requiring continued vigilance. Biden emphasized that antisemitism and Islamophobia are not acceptable in America, calling for Americans to stand against hate and violence.
The Anti-Defamation League reported a 140% increase in antisemitic incidents in the US between 2022 and 2023, with a significant spike after October 7. Biden reassured the Jewish community that they are not alone and that his administration will fight against hate. He referenced Tom Lantos, a Holocaust survivor who became a top adviser to Biden during his early years in the Senate and later served in Congress. Lantos’s warning that “the veneer of civilization is paper-thin” resonated with Biden, who urged Americans to be guardians of decency.
Biden’s unwavering support for Israel has faced backlash as the situation in Gaza worsens, leading to protests at his public events and raising questions about his handling of the conflict. The ongoing conflict and the evacuation of residents from Gaza’s Rafah region have added further complications. The president’s administration has urged Israel to have a clear plan to protect civilians in Gaza, yet it’s unclear if such a plan has been presented to the US.
Biden’s stance has also led to tensions on college campuses, with pro-Palestinian protests drawing criticism for alleged antisemitism. His administration has taken steps to address these incidents, including sending a letter to all college and university presidents condemning antisemitic incidents and highlighting available resources. However, some Jewish groups, like Jewish Voice for Peace, and IfNotNow, criticized Biden’s description of campus protests, arguing that it misrepresented the largely nonviolent demonstrations and disproportionately targeted Palestinian, black, and brown students.
While Biden’s remarks garnered praise from some pro-Israel groups, others felt that the president’s response to campus protests was not entirely accurate and that the administration’s approach could have been more balanced. Despite these criticisms, the administration has outlined several measures to counter antisemitism, including a national strategy, resources for campus safety, and initiatives to combat antisemitism online.
