White House Spokesperson Discusses Islamophobia in Light of Hanukkah Inquiry

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre sparked controversy this week when asked about Hanukkah, which starts at midnight Friday. Instead of addressing antisemitism, she pivoted to express concerns about Islamophobia, raising some eyebrows.

“We have seen an uptick in hate, just more broadly, in different communities — obviously, also in the Muslim community,” Pierre said in a daily press briefing Tuesday, as Newsweek reported.

“And so, we will do everything that we can to make sure that these communities feel safe.”

Her comments on Islamophobia in response to a question about antisemitism drew criticism, as reported by Newsweek.

“Obviously, over the past couple of weeks since this — certainly since this war started, we have seen the increase of antisemitism,” Pierre continued. “You know, we understand the fear that people in the Jewish community must be feeling right now, which is why we have taken action to do everything that we can to make sure that people in that community feel protected. And so, that’s what we’re going to continue to do.”

Hanukkah celebrations are reportedly affected by the ongoing Israel war on Hamas, with terrorists still holding over 100 hostages after the Oct. 7 attack, as reported by The Washington Post.

“I don’t entirely know how you can celebrate a festival of victory fully and completely when we are a people at war; that’s a challenge,” National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership President Rabbi Brad Hirschfield told the Post.

The White House’s Hanukkah celebration remains scheduled for Monday.