White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre came under fire on Monday for answering a question about the president’s concern about antisemitism by pivoting to Islamophobia. On Tuesday, she began the press briefing with a more than 100-word statement, ostensibly to correct yesterday’s error.
She quickly pivoted to universalizing hatred of Jews for the second day in a row.
“When Jews are targeted because of their beliefs or their identity, when Israel is singled out because of anti-Jewish hatred, that is antisemitism, and that is unacceptable,” the press secretary began.
“There is no place for antisemitism. Full stop. Period. This is important to the president. It’s important to me, personally. And to everyone in the administration,” she added. “Following the Hamas terror attacks in Israel, which were the deadliest for Jews since the Holocaust, the president has been consistent and clear. We must all do our part and forcefully speak out against antisemitism.”
No sooner had she started when Jean-Pierre again seemed to suggest that antisemitism requires a chaperone of Islamophobia or other forms of hatred.
“We must ensure that there is no place for hate in America. Not against Jews. Not against Muslims. Not against Arab Americans. Not against Palestinian-Americans. Not against anyone,” she said.
