Swampscott Officials Condemn Attacks On Israel, Affirm Support For Jewish People Worldwide

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott town officials issued a joint statement condemning the weekend attacks in Israel and expressing support for the country and Jewish families around the world.

"As we all found out this past Saturday, October 7th, hundreds of Hamas terrorists — fueled by hatred for Jewish citizens in Israel — attacked innocent children and families with the aim to butcher, kidnap, and murder as many people as possible," Select Board Chair David Grishman said. "The Town of Swampscott stands with Israel and all those who fight against hate."

Each of the five-member Select Board contributed to the statement, as well as Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald.

"Swampscott stands with the people of Israel in the wake of this weekend's horrific terrorist attacks and condemns Hamas in the strongest possible terms," said Katie Phelan, Vice Chair of the Select Board. "We all have an obligation to speak out against this hate and inhumanity."

"We all have a responsibility to confront hate, and this starts right here at home in Swampscott," Select Board Member Peter Spellios said. "Today and every day, the town of Swampscott stands against hate and stands in solidarity with Israel and their right to defend themselves at this dark hour."

"Our hearts are broken with the thoughts of so many Israeli and Palestinian families that have been victimized and the innocent civilians killed in these senseless attacks," Select Board member Doug Thompson said. "Peace between Israel and her neighbors is the only path out of this cycle of violence."

"The evil that has gripped Hamas must be stopped," Select Board member MaryEllen Fletcher said. "We stand with Israel. We stand with the Jewish people. We stand with all of humanity that
oppose hate and works for peace."

Fitzgerald shared his concern for both Israelis and the innocent Palestinian citizens of Gaza who are suffering because of the Hamas attacks.

"Hamas' brutality knows no bounds, with reports of Holocaust survivors, innocent men, women, children, and American citizens taken by Hamas militants as hostages or brutally murdered," he said. "We are praying for all those who are suffering through this incomprehensible inhumanity."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)