The Problems with the Sudden ‘Islamophobia’ Awareness Push

Jonathan Chait is at it again. This one is a masterpiece of anti-anti-antisemitism intended to deflect from the crisis of the current moment for Jews not only in Israel but everywhere.

Chait criticizes various people on the right (including Charlie Cooke) for questioning why the Biden administration has leaned so hard since October 7 on emphasizing “Islamophobia.” In Chait’s telling, he is standing bravely against “the Republican idea that the Democratic Party’s opposition to prejudice in general somehow weakens any of the particulars,” which “is a projection of their own ethnographic view of the world.” Thus, he asserts, the issue is that only his side understands that “you can oppose antisemitism without condoning hatred of Muslims or Arabs. Likewise, you can oppose bias against Muslims and Arabs without condoning antisemitism.”

About the Author

Dan McLaughlin

Dan McLaughlin is a senior writer at National Review Online and a fellow at National Review Institute.

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Jonathan Chait is at it again. This one is a masterpiece of anti-anti-antisemitism intended to deflect from the crisis of the current moment for Jews not only in Israel but everywhere.

Chait criticizes various people on the right (including Charlie Cooke) for questioning why the Biden administration has leaned so hard since October 7 on emphasizing “Islamophobia.” In Chait’s telling, he is standing bravely against “the Republican idea that the Democratic Party’s opposition to prejudice in general somehow weakens any of the particulars,” which “is a projection of their own ethnographic view of the world.” Thus, he asserts, the issue is that only his side understands that “you can oppose antisemitism without condoning hatred of Muslims or Arabs. Likewise, you can oppose bias against Muslims and Arabs without condoning antisemitism.”