U.S. President Joe Biden observed International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Friday, expressing concern about the alarming increase in antisemitism, especially following the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel. He also emphasized the importance of acknowledging the tragic events of that day.
Biden, who introduced the first U.S. national strategy to combat antisemitism in May 2023, stressed that remembering the Holocaust and addressing the “scourge of antisemitism” had become even more crucial after the Hamas attack, which resulted in the loss of 1,200 lives, marking the deadliest day since Israel’s establishment in 1948.
In a statement, Biden stated, “In the aftermath of Hamas’s brutal massacre, we have witnessed a troubling resurgence of reprehensible antisemitism both domestically and internationally. This resurgence has resurrected painful memories of millennia of hatred and persecution endured by Jewish communities. It is utterly unacceptable.”
He continued, “We cannot forget the unimaginable suffering endured by Jewish survivors of the Holocaust only to remain silent when Jews are subjected to attacks and discrimination today.” Biden called for a strong stance against Holocaust denialism and efforts to downplay the atrocities committed by Hamas on October 7, particularly their horrific and inexcusable use of sexual violence as a means of terrorizing victims.
This month, United Nations experts called for accountability for sexual violence against Israeli civilians during the Oct. 7 attacks, including allegations of rape, mutilation, and targeted violence to genital areas. Hamas has denied these allegations.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had previously described the increase in antisemitism since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict as a “five-alarm fire,” posing a threat to the safety of Jews worldwide and the future of Israel.
Biden reiterated that his administration was actively condemning and combating antisemitism, as well as working towards the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas, who kidnapped approximately 240 individuals on Oct. 7. He called on all Americans to contribute to the fight against hatred in all its forms.
Biden, a devout Catholic born during World War II, shared his personal experience of taking his own children and grandchildren to visit a German concentration camp, where he sought to convey the depth of antisemitic evil and the consequences of remaining silent or indifferent.
Human rights organizations have reported significant increases in incidents of antisemitism, as well as anti-Arab and anti-Muslim incidents since Oct. 7.
The White House also disclosed its plans in November to develop a national strategy to combat Islamophobia. However, this effort has faced skepticism from some Muslim-Americans who are critical of Biden’s continued political and financial support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 25,000 Palestinians, and his failure to call for a ceasefire.
While the Biden administration has not endorsed a ceasefire, it is urging Israel and Hamas to temporarily halt hostilities to facilitate the release of hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
