Thousands Demonstrate In Essex County In Response To Hamas Terror Attacks In Israel

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Community groups throughout North Jersey came together Sunday for a rally in Livingston after the terrorist group Hamas killed more than 1,000 people in Israel in sudden attacks last weekend and kidnapped hundreds more.

Organizers said as many as 5,000 people attended Sunday's event, from 70 organizations as well as synagogues, churches, schools, and other institutions.

The event started as a march from the Synagogue of the Suburban Torah, with police escorts, and culminated in a rally at Livingston Oval.

Moshe Glick and Larry Rein of the MetroWest Israel Action Committee, and Dov Ben Shimon, CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, spoke at the event.

Livingston Mayor Michael Vieira, Assemblyman John McKeon, and Rabbi Simeon Cohen, chair of the Livingston Clergies, also spoke, among others.

“We are sickened by the slaughter of innocent men and women, and now a new depravity, the kidnapping, burning and beheading of babies,” declared an impassioned Moshe Glick, “We demonstrate to the world that we are unabashed supporters of Israel. The world may have lost its moral compass. We have not!”

“We have all shouted, 'Never again,' " he added. "What are you going to do to insure
ever again is really never again? We have incredible Jewish communal institutions and we thank them. However they can't do it alone."

Dov Ben-Shimon, CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ, said, “The priorities are clear: free the captives, bring the murderers and rapists to justice, and free Gaza and Israel from Hamas once and for all.”

West Orange Deputy Mayor Larry Rein, who is also President of JSDD, said, “We will not rest and sit back until there is peace and justice in Israel. We are reliving the Holocaust and we cannot let this happen to any society.“

The MetroWest Israel Action Committee plans to launch more events and initiatives determined to help Israel in the next few weeks, with a focus on efforts to help free the hostages and support the IDF. To join the Whatsapp Group or obtain more info, call 855-458-5268 or email standforisrael2023@gmail.com.

Last Saturday was the bloodiest day in Israel since the Yom Kippur war 50 years ago, the BBC has reported.

One 20-year-old Israeli Defense Forces soldier from Bergen County has died in the attacks, as did a 20-year-old man from Mercer County who was attending a music festival there.

"Although Israel has dealt with terrorism on a daily basis, in this most recent attack, Hamas has committed the most horrific atrocities and war crimes against Israel’s civilians," MetroWest said in a statement about the demonstration. "These heinous acts include kidnapping children and the elderly, raping and mutilating women, and parading dead bodies in the streets of Gaza."

At least 22 Americans are missing or dead in Israel as a result of the attacks, the BBC said.