Biden administration sets timeline for Pentagon to probe antisemitism, Islamophobia
WASHINGTON – The U.S. government has set a timetable for the various executive branches to investigate antisemitic and Islamophobic behavior in their workplaces.
A November deadline has been set for the Pentagon to investigate and assess the prevalence of antisemitic and Islamophobic behavior in the ranks of the military.
The strategy, outlined in a 60-page document titled The U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, has called for the Pentagon to evaluate measures to combat discrimination, harassment, and extremist activity.
The document says the analysis is the first to specifically assess antisemitic and Islamophobic activity in the military.
The document says the exercise will help identify gaps and formulate future policies to respond to the threat in the military.
Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, who was appointed special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism, told reporters that there is a full timeline for the various services to address the problem.
“There are dates in the plan for when these issues should be addressed,” she said.
She claimed the White House is holding the agencies accountable.
“The White House would say this is an important domestic issue, but the existence of antisemitism is also a threat for national security,” said Lipstadt.
The document calls on state governments to train their security and law enforcement personnel to combat antisemitism.
The administration has set a September deadline for the Justice Department to take similar action. A September deadline has also been set for the Department of Homeland Security.
The Faith-Based Security Advisory Council, a multi-faith council, has been asked to strengthen resources and tools to protect Jewish and other communities across the country by November.
Similarly, the Department of the Treasury will encourage small businesses to report incidents of hate to the appropriate authorities.
The national strategy was drafted following an alarming rise in anti-Semitic remarks and hate crimes across the country.
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