SWC Calls on White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre To Address Current State of Rising Anti-Semitism

October 23, 2023

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is calling on White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre to address the current state of rising anti-Semitism after she was asked about this during a press briefing on Monday and her response was to talk about “disproportionate” hate crimes against Muslims.

When asked if the Administration is concerned about displays of anti-Semitism nationwide, Jean-Pierre stated that there have been no “credible threats” against Jewish Americans before pivoting to concern for Muslim Americans when answering a question about the safety of Jews.

”Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim have endured a disproportionate number of hate-fueled attacks and certainly President Biden understands that many of our Muslim, Arab-American and Palestinian-American loved ones and neighbors are worried about the hate being directed at their community,” said Jean-Pierre.

“At a time of soaring anti-Semitism and hate taking place on both sides of the Atlantic; and as Jews around the world are in deep mourning over the mass murder of innocent Jews by Hamas terrorists, we urge Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre to address the question she was asked regarding the rise of anti-Semitism.

If Ms. Jean-Pierre needs guidance, the Simon Wiesenthal Center will provide her with the shocking anti-Semitic statistics over the last ten days,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper,  SWC Director of Global Social Action.

“Of course all decent Americans oppose all bigotry including Islamophobia — but as spokeswoman for the President of the United States she must fully and accurately address anti-Semitism as well,” Cooper added.

For further information, please email Michele Alkin, Director of Global Communications at malkin@wiesenthal.com or Shawn Rodgers at srodgers@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).