US Muslims: Gaza cease-fire will be 'more impactful' in fighting Islamophobia

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said Thursday the White House's strategy to combat Islamophobia should begin by demanding a cease-fire in Gaza.

"The first and most important step President Biden must take to combat surging Islamophobia is the step that American Muslim leaders and organizations have repeatedly called on him to take: demand a ceasefire in Gaza," Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said in a statement.

"Ending U.S. support for the Israeli government's bombardment of Gaza is critical to both saving lives there and reducing the threat of Islamophobia here at home. Nothing is more important to the American Muslim community at this moment than a ceasefire, and nothing will be more impactful in the fight against surging Islamophobia," he said.

The Biden administration announced Wednesday a National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia in the US.

"President Biden ran for office to restore the soul of our nation. He is unequivocal: There is no place for hate in America against anyone. Period," White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement.

"Today's announcement is the latest step as part of President Biden's directive last year to establish an interagency group to increase and better coordinate U.S. Government efforts to counter Islamophobia, Antisemitism, and related forms of bias and discrimination within the United States," she added.