BIDEN MARKS HOLOCAUST DAY BY CONDEMNING OCT. 7 DENIALISM, RISING ANTISEMITISM IN AMERICA

Biden Marks Holocaust Day by Condemning Oct. 7 Denialism, Rising Antisemitism in America

"Here we are, not 75 years later, but just seven and a half months later - and people are already forgetting that Hamas unleashed this terror," Biden said in his keynote at the official Holocaust memorial ceremony at the U.S. Capitol

May 07th, 20PM May 07th, 22PM

WASHINGTON – U.S. President Joe Biden sharply condemned rising antisemitism and denialism over Hamas' attack against Israel on October 7, directly linking it to the legacy of the Holocaust and the vow of "never again."

"This ancient hatred of Jews didn't begin with the Holocaust, and it didn't end with the Holocaust either, or even after our victory in World War Two. This hatred continues to lie deep in the heart of people in the world, and requires our continued vigilance and outspokenness. That hatred was brought to life on October 7, 2023," Biden said during his keynote address at the official Holocaust memorial ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.

"On a sacred Jewish holiday, the deadliest day of the Jewish people since the Holocaust, driven by ancient desire to wipe out the Jewish people off the face of the earth," he continued, "over 1,200 innocent people, babies, parents, grandparents, slaughtered at the kibbutz, massacred at a music festival. Brutally raped, mutilated and sexually assaulted. Thousands more carrying wounds or some shrapnel from the memory of that terrible day they endured — hundreds taken hostage."

"Here we are, not 75 years later, but just seven and a half months later - and people are already forgetting that Hamas unleashed this terror," he said. "I have not forgotten, nor have you, and we will not forget."

Biden specifically highlighted denialism surrounding Hamas' use of sexual and gender-based violence on October 7. "It is absolutely despicable and it must stop. Silence and denial can hide much, but it can erase nothing. Some injustice is so heinous and grievous, it cannot be buried — no matter how hard people try."

"Together, we cannot continue to let that happen. We have to remember our basic principles as a nation. We have an obligation. We have an obligation to learn the lessons of history. So don't surrender our future to the horrors of the past. We must give hate no safe harbor against anyone," he said.

The backdrop of his remarks, however, is impossible to be separated from the nationwide pro-Palestinian campus protests roiling the U.S. amid Israel's continued war in Gaza and a looming invasion of Rafah.

"I understand people have strong beliefs and deep convictions about the world. In America, we respect and protect the fundamental right to free speech, to debate and disagree. I understand. That's America. But there is no place on any campus in America or any place in America for antisemitism or hate speech or threats of violence of any kind," he said to enormous applause.

"To the Jewish community, I want you to know: I see your fear, your hurt, your pain. Let me reassure you, as your president, you're not alone. You belong. You always have, and you always will," he continued, adding "the safety of the Jewish people, the security of Israel, and its right to exist as an independent state is ironclad. Even when we disagree."

The unprecedented reemergence of antisemitism was inescapable in a ceremony meant to commemorate the genocide of Jews decades ago. "For the Jewish community, in our country and around the world, these solemn days of remembrance come at a particularly fraught time. The unimaginable has become a reality before our eyes," said Stuart Eizenstat, United States Holocaust Memorial Council Chair Stuart Eizenstat.

"What would the six-million victims of the Holocaust, murdered because of a Nazi racial ideology rooted in historical antisemitism, think about its revival in the United States and the 21st century," he added.

Hours before Biden's speech, the White House announced a series of new steps aimed at countering antisemitism to mark the national strategy's second year.

The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights issued new guidance through a Dear Colleague Letter to every school district and college in the country, providing examples of antisemitic discrimination, as well as other forms of hate, that could lead to investigations for violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI). This guidance is meant to ensure that colleges and universities do a better job of protecting both Jewish students and all of their students.

Beyond this, the Department of Homeland Security will work with interagency partners to build an online campus safety resources guide and landing page to provide the range of financial, educational, and technical assistance to campuses in one, easy-to-use website.

DHS will additionally develop and share best practices for community-based targeted violence and terrorism prevention to reduce these assaults and attacks. Federal agencies, meanwhile, will elevate ongoing efforts to address the fear felt in targeted communities and ensure that resources are widely known among communities that need them.

Finally, the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism at the State Department will convene technology firms to identify best practices to address antisemitic content online. Departments and agencies will continue to provide technology companies with relevant information about symbols and themes associated with violent extremism online to help them enforce their terms of service.

2024-05-07T17:29:10Z dg43tfdfdgfd