November 3, 2023 — Washington, DC
American Jewish Committee (AJC) today welcomed the White House’s announcement that the Administration will be developing the first-ever U.S. National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia, fulfilling the commitment it made in December 2022 as it launched the process to create the National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.
“At a time of intense vulnerability for the global Jewish community, American Jews know all too well the importance of government-led efforts to counter hatred toward minorities. AJC was proud to work with the Administration on the development of the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism and remains committed to working across all sectors to ensure its full implementation. We also remain grateful to the Administration for its steadfast support of Israel after Hamas’ barbaric attack on October 7 and its efforts to keep Jewish communities safe in this critical moment.
“Hate and bigotry do not exist in a vacuum. Creating a U.S. National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia will address the need to bolster safety and security for the American Muslim community, and will also strengthen the national, regional, and local response to hate against Americans of all backgrounds.
“Just as we stood with our American Muslim neighbors in the wake of the horrific murder of six-year-old Palestinian American Wadea Al-Fayoume, and the brutal attack on his mother, AJC remains dedicated to our partnerships with American Muslims against antisemitism, Islamophobia, and all expressions of hate.
“As we work together across lines of faith and race to combat antisemitism, we recognize that all forms of hatred and bigotry – including Islamophobia – must be addressed on their own terms. The unique American ability to connect the well-being of each to the well-being of all is particularly necessary at this moment.”
In recent years, AJC has increased efforts to improve Muslim-Jewish relations to protect both communities, overcome mutual suspicion, and foster understanding across differences, and continues that vital work, even as challenges remain. In 2016, AJC collaborated with American Muslim and American Jewish community partners to create the Muslim-Jewish Advisory Council (MJAC). The body has worked on domestic issues of mutual concern - from federal hate crimes legislation, to hearings on the threats of white supremacy, to hosting workshops on preventing targeted violence and protecting places of worship - demonstrating that Muslim-Jewish cooperation benefits both communities and American society more broadly.
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 offices across the United States, 14 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.
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