NOI has long worked to counter white supremacy.
Washington, May 29 – The President of the United States took new measures in the fight against bigotry, the White House announced today, with the adoption of a specific definition of antisemitism, for use in funding decisions, foreign policy, hate crime penalty enforcement, and personnel qualifications, among others – a definition provided by an activist group under the stewardship of clergyman Louis Farrakhan known for its robust advocacy for certain religious minorities.
White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters this morning that Joe Biden had considered multiple options for the definition of antisemitism, including the most commonly-accepted definition: the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s Working Definition of Antisemitism. Others, such as the “Jerusalem Declaration,” Nexus definition, or other formulations, also crossed the president’s desk, Jean-Pierre disclosed, but in the end he settled on the NOI definition.
“The NOI has long been active in bigotry circles,” she explained. “Many of their key people have had significant contact with important policymakers, including senior members of the previous Democratic administration. and we know we see eye-to-eye on numerous critical points. We will be pleased to work with Minister Farrakhan and his staff on formulating the best policy we can toward addressing antisemitism in America.”
Those points of agreement, she added, include the threat of white supremacy, which Nation of Islam has long worked to counter.
A representative of NOI welcomed the announcement. “We have long fought for similar goals,” stated Muhammad Elijah. “It is gratifying that our values dovetail with the Biden administrations values on this and other important issues. Those issues weigh heavily on minority communities here at home, but also play an outsize role in foreign policy decisions – and the Nation of Islam will be glad to provide all the guidance it can on staying within acceptable parameters when it comes to addressing antisemitism, or whatever it is we’re supposed to do with it.”
Supporters of some of the other definitions voiced their disappointment but acknowledged the value of the one Biden chose. “The important thing is that no one ever use accusations of antisemitism as a pretext to shut down criticism of Israel,” stated Jill Jacobs of Truah, the Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. “Nation of Islam agrees with us on that point, so the rest is quibbles and nuances of difference. Obviously I would love to have the definition I supported be selected, but this one protects many of the same values my organization and I hold dear.”
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