White House Announces Plans to Develop National Strategy to Combat Islamophobia

The White House has announced plans to develop a national strategy to combat Islamophobia. The strategy is meant to bring together lawmakers, advocacy groups, and other community leaders with the administration in order to “counter the scourge of Islamophobia and hate in all its forms.”

The announcement comes as President Joe Biden’s administration faces skepticism from many Muslim Americans for its staunch support of Israel’s military assault on Hamas in Gaza. During a campaign speech Wednesday evening, President Biden said he thought there should be a humanitarian “pause” in the Israel-Hamas war, after being interrupted by a protester calling for a cease-fire.

The White House has been steadfast in saying they will not dictate how the Israelis carry out their military operations in response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. However, the president has faced intensifying pressure from human rights groups, fellow world leaders, and even liberal Democrats to take a stronger stance.

The White House has not yet released details of the national strategy, but has said that it will be “comprehensive” and “multi-faceted.” It will include “a range of steps to ensure that the United States is doing all it can to protect and defend the civil rights of all Americans, including those of the Muslim faith.”

The strategy is part of the Biden administration’s broader effort to combat hate and bigotry in the United States. The White House has said it will continue to work with Muslim Americans and other communities to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and dignity.