US Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Deborah Lipstadt, expressed concerns about a significant rise in antisemitism worldwide in connection with the Israel-Hamas war.
Lipstadt reiterated the Biden administration’s backing for peaceful pro-Palestinian protests while condemning acts of antisemitism. She emphasized the distinction between supporting Palestinian rights and promoting violence against Jews, citing recent incidents like the “gas the Jews” chant at a pro-Palestinian rally in Sydney.
Lipstadt highlighted the disturbing situation on US college campuses, citing reports of antisemitism since the conflict’s onset. Some Republican politicians have called for the deportation of foreign students expressing support for Hamas, a stance that Lipstadt acknowledged while affirming the administration’s support for freedom of expression within legal bounds.
Several universities have taken actions against pro-Palestinian groups, with George Washington University and Columbia University suspending chapters for policy violations. Lipstadt urged critics of Israel’s actions to consider the context, emphasizing President Biden’s stance on responding to Hamas’ attacks and comparing the group to ISIS.
The envoy also called on media and politicians to explicitly denounce antisemitism. She noted the simultaneous rise in hatred towards Arabs and Muslims, with organizations reporting alarming increases in Islamophobic incidents. Lipstadt praised European governments for taking rising antisemitism seriously, emphasizing the broader implications of antisemitism for democratic values and national security.
