The US says it is “absolutely” concerned about the rise of anti-Muslim sentiment

Given the escalating hatred in the context of Israeli brutality in Gaza, the United States on Thursday expressed concern about the rise of anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim sentiment in the country and around the world.

Since October 7 last year, Israeli forces have martyred more than 34,000 Palestinians, including women and children, and injured more than 80,000 people so far in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Most of the enclave’s 2.3 million people are homeless. Hospitals have been destroyed, medicine is in short supply and people in Gaza are at risk of starvation.

In his weekly briefing, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said:

“Unfortunately we have seen a rise in anti-Semitism. We have seen a rise in the anti-Muslim summit and the president has spoken about it. It’s something we’ve been incredibly concerned about both here at home and around the world.”

In response to a question, the spokesman said: “It is absolutely alarming.” He further said that the secretary has spoken about this on many occasions, including Israel, when he said that “we – the worst thing that can happen is people dehumanizing each other and that once you see people on both sides of this conflict by dehumanizing each other, it gives permission – not real permission, but it gives them – they give themselves permission to do all kinds of things that we would oppose and that are not in anyone’s best interests.”

He also said that they obviously don’t want to see anyone spreading hate in any form. Miller said Washington was trying to end the Israel-Hamas “conflict” as soon as possible and find a sustainable solution to this conflict because it was in the interest of Muslims, Jews and Christians, Israelis and other countries in the region alike. .

“It is in the interest of all parties to see this conflict end and that is what we are trying to achieve.”

Asked about a two-state solution to the conflict, the spokesman said: We believe that ultimately this is the way forward, and I know it’s incredibly difficult and it looks incredibly bleak, but it’s our assessment that at the end of this conflict – is going to end – that if there is no way forward, Israel will return to the same security risks it had before October 7.”

He added: “She will be in the same position as regards the lack of relations with all her neighbours. And it is in Israel’s broader security interest to find a way forward for reconciliation with the Palestinian people, however difficult it may seem, and that is why we will continue to pursue it.”