Biden condemns ‘anti-Arab hate’ after Wall Street Journal op-ed labels Michigan city ‘America’s jihad capital’

President Biden called out “anti-Arab hate” against Dearborn, Mich., residents after an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal called the city “America’s jihad capital.”

“Americans know that blaming a group of people based on the words of a small few is wrong. That’s exactly what can lead to Islamophobia and anti-Arab hate, and it shouldn’t happen to the residents of Dearborn – or any American town,” the president wrote Sunday on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“We must continue to condemn hate in all forms,” he added.

The opinion piece cited by Biden was published Friday with the headline “Welcome to Dearborn, America’s Jihad Capital” and subhead “Imams and politicians in the Michigan city side with Hamas against Israel and Iran against the U.S.”

It highlighted the protests in Dearborn and said people there “in support of Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran.” Arab Americans make up the majority of the population of Dearborn.

The city’s mayor, Abdullah Hammoud, said he is “glad” Biden “recognizes the severity and danger” of the piece published by the Journal.

“The unfortunate reality is Islamophobia has become an acceptable form of hate. Those who demonize or stereotype Muslims or Arab Americans quickly find bigger platforms and greater notoriety,” he said on X.

The mayor had ordered an increase in security across the city Saturday in response to the op-ed.

Biden visited Michigan last week, and tensions with Arab Americans loomed over his visit. He did not visit Dearborn, nor did he meet with any Arab American leaders.