Anti-Muslim incidents in US rise about 70% in first half of 2024 amid Gaza war
Discrimination and attacks against Muslims and Palestinians in the United States surged by approximately 70 percent in the first half of 2024, Arab News reported today citing a report from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
This rise in Islamophobia is attributed to the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has intensified since October 2023, the source mentioned.
CAIR documented 4,951 complaints of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian incidents during this period, a significant increase from the previous year. The majority of these complaints fell under categories such as immigration and asylum, employment discrimination, education discrimination, and hate crimes. In total, CAIR recorded 8,061 such complaints for all of 2023, with around 3,600 reported in the last three months following the outbreak of hostilities.
The report highlighted alarming incidents, including the fatal stabbing of a 6-year-old Palestinian-American child in Illinois and the attempted drowning of a 3-year-old girl. Protests against the war in Gaza have erupted across the U.S., met with crackdowns by police and university authorities on pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
The conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, resulting in 1,200 Israeli deaths and approximately 250 hostages taken. In response, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has reportedly killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians, leading to widespread humanitarian crises and allegations of genocide, which Israel denies. CAIR compiles its data through public statements, media reports, and direct complaints from affected individuals.
