Overview

• White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced significant criticism, including from Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz, for her initial response to questions about rising antisemitism, in which she emphasized hate crimes against Muslims.
• Amid the backlash, Jean-Pierre later clarified on Twitter that President Biden and his administration were indeed 'very concerned about a rise in antisemitism,' especially in the wake of the recent terrorist attack by Hamas in Israel.
• Playwright David Mamet, in a Fox News interview, expressed dissatisfaction with Democrats' handling of antisemitism. He also suggested an assertive course of action - advising Jewish parents not to send their children to colleges that he sees as breeding grounds for antisemitic attitudes.
• The ADL has reported over 100 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. following the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel by Hamas. Simultaneously, according to the FBI, hate crime incidents in 2022 rose to 11,634, the highest number since 1991, with a significant 37% increase in anti-Jewish incidents.
• In contrast to her initial response, Jean-Pierre emphasized in a subsequent press briefing the need to 'speak out against antisemitism' and stated it was 'unacceptable.' She further insisted that there should be 'no place for hate in America' against any cultural or religious groups.