US releases plan to combat anti-Semitism amid definition debate
Al JazeeraDec 26, 2022
The Facts
The Biden admin. on Thursday published a national strategy to immediately address rising antisemitism in the US. The scope of the strategy encompassed actions across public sector agencies, law enforcement, education, and online spaces.
The strategy includes improving safety and security for Jewish communities, with Pres. Biden insisting "antisemitism and all forms of hate and violence have no place in America."
The Spin
Left narrative
Biden's carefully-worded language seemed to please elements on both sides of the Israel-Palestine issue. Antisemitism is becoming alarming normalized in the US, but this is due to right-wing politicians and constituencies that are becoming increasingly radicalized. This policy will go a long way towards taking a firm stance against a shocking and unacceptable rise of antisemitism.
Right narrative
The Biden admin. has disturbingly diluted the definition of antisemitism, as it failed to condemn opposition to Israel's creation or to hold the Jewish state to different standards than other countries. The US government should strictly use the IHRA's definition of antisemitism. The Biden admin. must make clear that any opposition to Israel's right to exist is antisemitism, plain and simple.
