Tensions in the US are high as the Israel-Hamas war enters its second week.

Divided at Home

The Story

Tensions in the US are high as the Israel-Hamas war enters its second week.

In what way?

First, there's the protests. Pro-Palestinian and pro-Isreal demonstrators have taken to the streets in NYC, LA, and Chicago in solidarity. That also includes a sit-in at the White House where at least 30 Jewish activists were reportedly arrested when calling on President Biden to push for a ceasefire. The tensions go beyond just protesting.

What do you mean?

The FBI is tracking increased numbers of threats against Jewish and Muslim Americans since the war broke out. This comes amid reports of violence and clashes across the US. Yesterday, a 71-year-old landlord was charged with murder and hate crimes for the fatal stabbing of a 6-year-old Palestinian-American. In New York, a man on a bus attacked a 19-year-old who was wearing a turban and yelled “we don’t wear that in this country.” Synagogues in Utah have received bomb threats. Jewish businesses and a temple were reportedly vandalized in California. Meanwhile, tensions have also reached college campuses.

What’s been happening?

Protestors confronted each other at schools like UNC-Chapel Hill and Indiana University. Colleges and universities are getting called out for putting out neutral statements. A professor at Columbia University faces thousands of calls for his resignation after he called Hamas’s attack on Israel a “stunning victory.” Stanford reportedly removed an instructor who allegedly downplayed the Holocaust. A major University of Pennsylvania donor resigned after accusing the school of antisemitism. A conservative media group doxxed several students at Harvard after they signed a letter that said it held Israel “entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.”

theSkimm

As Americans watch the Israel-Hamas war unfold overseas, divisions over the conflict have flared up across the US. The tension has some reverting to violence, with Muslims and Jews becoming the latest targets. Now, many are worried about their safety and their lives.

For years, Jews and Muslims around the world have faced prejudice and hate. The recent Hamas terror attack may only make things worse. Here's how things have been trending…

Islamophobia…In the months following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, anti-Muslim hate crimes in the US hit a record high. US policies at the time didn’t help: TSA screenings, for example, have disproportionately targeted Muslims. Even those who were perceived to be Muslim faced discrimination following 9/11. In the years that have followed, anti-Muslim sentiment has continued. According to Pew Research, in 2017, almost half of Muslim Americans said they had experienced discrimination because of their religious beliefs — up from 40% in 2007. Experts have noted that in other Western countries — including the UK and France — there's also been an increase in instances of anti-Muslim hate in recent years.

Antisemitism…Last year, there were more than 3,600 antisemitic incidents in the US, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). That’s the highest since the ADL began tracking in 1979, with incidents in 2022 including harassment, vandalism, and assault. The Jewish community has faced multiple acts of violence, including the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue mass shooting — the deadliest attack on Jews in US history. The rise in antisemitism isn’t specific to the US — one report found that Jews have been targets of harassment in 94 countries. The FBI has also found antisemitism to be the largest category of religious hate crime incidents reported, which brings us to…

Hate crimes…In 2021, there were more than 9,000 hate crime incidents reported in the US — an increase of more than 11% from the previous year. Experts say hate crimes often go underreported in part because states can have different definitions of what constitutes a hate crime. In recent years, suspects in the El Paso Walmart shooting and Tree of Life synagogue have been convicted of federal hate crime charges.  

Data reportedly shows that conflicts in the Middle East involving Israel often lead to a spike in hate crimes in the US. Now, law enforcement agencies across the US are on high alert.

Who’s saying ‘pick me, choose me’…

Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH). The hardline conservative has called a vote for today at noon on his bid for House speaker. It’s been almost two weeks of a haunted, no-speaker House ever since far-right conservatives voted Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) out. The no. 2 Republican, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), couldn’t win the votes to replace him. Now, Jordan thinks he can win where the others failed. Bold move, considering 55 Republicans said they would never vote for him and Jordan can only lose four Republican votes if all House members are present. Yesterday, Jordan reportedly won over at least a dozen Republicans, and even McCarthy has said he thinks Jordan could pull it off.

Who’s reached a settlement…

Migrants. Yesterday, lawyers representing thousands of families separated at the southern border under the Trump admin reached an agreement with the Biden admin. More than 4,000 migrants will be allowed to stay in the US, have a special asylum request process, work, receive legal assistance, and more. It does not include payment of monetary damages. The policy of separating families was used under the Trump admin until June 2018 to deter migrants from crossing into the US, but it led to public backlash. Some families were reunited, but for others, it’s been years as parents were deported without their children. Officials reportedly said more than three-quarters of those separated have been reunited or given a pathway to be. However, the judge overseeing the case still has to sign off on the agreement but is expected to approve it.

What’s on the docket in India…

Same-sex marriage. Today, India’s Supreme Court refused to legalize same-sex marriage and passed on the responsibility to the parliament. The Court said it's beyond its scope to legalize same-sex marriage. Now, if parliament decides to legalize it, millions of LGBTQIA+ Indians will gain the right to marry. Still, leaders from all of India’s biggest religions reportedly opposed the petition and some reportedly said marriage is “for procreation, not recreation.”

Who's coming for Yelp...

John Legend.

What might confuse other countries…

Flag football.