White House Releases National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism

By Hamodia Staff

The Biden Administration released the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, a strategy which includes actions the Administration will take to raise awareness of antisemitism and its threat to American democracy, protect Jewish communities, reverse the normalization of antisemitism, and build cross-community solidarity.

Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff has focused crucial attention on the rise of antisemitism, and has met with leaders and envoys from around the world to advance the Administration’s efforts to combat antisemitism and support Holocaust remembrance.

According to the FBI, American Jews account for 2.4% of the U.S. population, but they are the victims of 63% of reported religiously motivated hate crimes. In December, President Biden established a task force, with input of over 1,000 stakeholders from every sector of American society, to produce a national strategy to counter antisemitism in the United States.

This national strategy outlines over 100 new actions, to be completed within a year, in order to counter antisemitism. It calls on Congress to enact legislation that would help counter antisemitism and urges every sector of society to mobilize against it.

As part of its effort to Increase awareness and understanding of antisemitism, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USMM) will launch in 2024 the first-ever U.S.-based Holocaust education research center, which will undertake research into teaching and learning about the Holocaust and study the impact and effectiveness of Holocaust education in the U.S.

With violent attacks against Jews are increasing, the Administration called on Congress to fully fund its FY24 budget request of $360 million for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)—$55 million above the FY23 enacted amount. In fiscal year 2022, President Biden secured a 40% increase in the NSGP, which supports the physical security of nonprofit organizations, including synagogues and other houses of worship.

The Administration also encouraged all online platforms to independently commit to taking several actions that will counter antisemitism, including adopting zero-tolerance for hate speech and investing in resources necessary to enable vigorous and timely enforcement.