Network Against Islamophobia The Network Against Islamophobia (NAI), a project of Jewish Voice for Peace, was created to serve as a resource to, and work with, JVP chapters and other groups interested in organizing against Islamophobia and anti-Arab racism and to be a partner to the broader, Muslim-led movement against Islamophobia. We created these materials – a two session curriculum and resources; a series of modules; and a facilitator guide – so we can be effective, accountable partners in this work. Many thanks to Nina Mehta and Krysta Williams from the Participatory Action Research Center (PARCEO) for reviewing and contributing so meaningfully to the curriculum and for co-creating the facilitator guide.

Introduction to Islamophobia, the U.S., and Israel Politics A) Islamophobia and Israel’s anti-Palestinian Politics B) Islamophobia in the U.S. and the U.S. “War on Terror” C) The “Good Muslim/Bad Muslim” Paradigm and the Israel Litmus Test

A) Islamophobia and Israel’s anti-Palestinian Politics Pro-Israel advocates play a major role in advancing an Islamophobic narrative that helps deny justice and equal rights to Palestinians.

Examples include: Contribution to the creation, operation, and funding of Islamophobic groups and campaigns and to the spread of anti-Muslim narratives in the U.S. Development strategies, resources, and infrastructures that unconditionally support Israel Promotion of anti-Muslim attitudes in this country that contribute to hatred and fear of Palestinians and strong U.S. support for Israel Financial support of virulently anti-Muslim groups. A small group of funders has given these groups millions of dollars (2011 report, Fear, Inc.: The Roots of the Islamophobia Network in America).

B) Islamophobia in the U.S. and the U.S. “War on Terror” Islamophobic framing that is part of U.S. foreign policy and messaging: “Clash of civilizations,” a post-Cold War concept: Muslim religion and “culture” as the main enemy of the United States Palestinians (and other Arabs) = Muslims, and all Muslims = “terrorists,” “terrorist” sympathizers, or potential “terrorists” Israel as “Western Civilization’s” last line of defense from the “hordes” of Muslims who are supposedly bent on destroying it

C) The “Good Muslim/Bad Muslim” Paradigm and the Israel Litmus Test Key cultural, social and political narrative that plays out in policy and beyond: The presumption that, until they can somehow “prove” they are “good,” all Muslims, Palestinians, Arabs, South Asians, and others who are often conflated with Muslims are “bad” (“terrorists,” violent extremists, a threat to Jews, plotters trying to take over the U.S. government)