Biden to host Hanukkah ceremony at the White House amid nationwide rise in anti-Semitism

President Joe Biden is set to host a White House reception on Monday to mark the start of Hanukkah. Biden has denounced the rising anti-Semitism that has spread across the U.S. since Hamas' attack against Israel in early October.

The New York Post reported that the president, his wife, Jill Biden, and second gentleman Doug Emhoff would be in attendance for the reception.

The development comes after the Biden administration called for the first-ever national strategy to combat anti-Semitism in late May.

"This strategy includes over 100 new actions the Administration will take to raise awareness of antisemitism and its threat to American democracy, protect Jewish communities, reverse the normalization of antisemitism, and build cross-community solidarity," the announcement said.

Though the president announced this effort in the summer, anti-Semitism exploded after Hamas terrorists launched an attack against Israel on October 7. A total of 1,200 Israelis were slaughtered and 240 people were abducted during the raid.

Since then, anti-Semitism has manifested in high schools, colleges, and universities across the U.S. Claudine Gay, president of Harvard University, recently appeared before Congress to account for the unmitigated rise in anti-Semitism on campus.

Israel and Hamas agreed to a brief ceasefire at the end of November, which saw the release of 100 hostages taken by Hamas on October 7.

Even those in Hollywood have called out the anti-Semitism manifesting around the world, especially in the West. Gal Gadot, best known for her role as "Wonder Woman," claimed last week that the United Nations had failed the Israeli women who were sexually assaulted and raped by Hamas militants.

In an Instagram post, she said: "We claim we stand against rape, violence against women. We will not let women be victimized and then silenced. We say we believe women. Stand with women. Speak out for women."

“On October 7th, the world witnessed Hamas carrying out its violent plans in real time. Within hours of the October 7th attack, the first blood-chilling video emerged of Shani Louk being paraded naked and defiled by her proud assailants."

"This is our moment as women and allies of women to act. I am beseeching all those who have done so much for women’s rights globally – from the UN, to the human rights community, to please join in the demand that Hamas release every single woman hostage immediately – not after the next round of international mediation, not after another day. These women cannot survive another moment of this horror."

Legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg has also come out in opposition to the anti-Semitic rhetoric that has spread since early October, referring to Hamas' actions as an example of "unspeakable barbarity."

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