Discrimination against Muslims and Palestinians in the U.S. surges amid Gaza conflict
Discrimination and attacks targeting Muslims and Palestinians in the United States surged by approximately 70% in the first half of 2024, according to a report released by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on Tuesday. The rise in incidents is linked to increased Islamophobia spurred by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
CAIR reported receiving 4,951 complaints of anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian incidents between January and June 2024, a significant increase from the 2,926 complaints recorded in the same period the previous year. The organization highlighted that these complaints predominantly involved issues related to immigration and asylum, employment discrimination, educational bias, and hate crimes.
The spike in reported incidents follows a troubling year marked by violence. In 2023, CAIR recorded a total of 8,061 complaints, including a notable increase in the last quarter of the year as the conflict intensified. High-profile cases of violence include the October stabbing death of a 6-year-old Palestinian-American in Illinois, a February stabbing in Texas, a shooting in Vermont, and an attempted drowning of a young girl in May.
The report also points to increased scrutiny and police crackdowns on pro-Palestinian protests and demonstrations across U.S. universities, reflecting heightened tensions surrounding the Gaza conflict.
The Israel-Gaza war, which began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack that resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and around 250 hostages, has led to severe humanitarian crises. The Gaza health ministry reports that Israeli military operations have killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians and displaced nearly the entire population of the Gaza Strip, leading to widespread hunger and international condemnation.
CAIR’s report is based on a review of public statements, media reports, and direct complaints submitted through their online system.
