‘Free Palestine’ Protesters Storm Sen. Cory Booker’s Office In Newark

NEWARK, NJ — Pro-Palestine protesters are keeping the pressure on U.S. Sen. Cory Booker in his home city of Newark, recently storming his Congressional office to demand an “immediate ceasefire” and bring attention to the soaring death toll in the Gaza Strip.

Casualties and suffering have been heavy for Israelis and Palestinians alike as war rages in the Middle East. See Related: Israel-Hamas: How To Talk To Your Kids, Practice Self-Care

More than 1,400 Israelis were killed after Hamas launched a coordinated attack on Oct. 7, including civilians and children. Dozens of the deceased are U.S. residents, including some from New Jersey. It’s estimated that nearly 250 Israeli soldiers and civilians were also seized by Hamas and taken into Gaza as hostages – where most of them still remain. Read More: Hamas Attacks Deadliest Day For Jews Since The Holocaust, Biden Says

Meanwhile, the latest death toll from Palestinian authorities stands at more than 11,000 people who have been killed in Gaza due to Israel's retaliatory air strikes and ground invasion –including thousands of children and civilians. Israel has cut off water and electricity in Gaza, raising an outcry from advocates and several humanitarian organizations.

Protests and vigils have been held by pro-Israel and pro-Palestine supporters in New Jersey, where opinions about the war remain starkly divided.

• See Related: Thousands Demonstrate In NJ Town In Response To Hamas Attacks
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Last week, several grassroots advocacy groups organizations rallied outside Booker’s district office at One Gateway Center in Newark. Their rallying cry? “Shut It Down For Palestine!”

Nearly 200 people were present at the Nov. 9 protest, which was one of several “Stand Up for Palestine” rallies held across the globe, including gatherings in New York City and outside U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell’s office in Paterson.

Some protesters criticized the state of New Jersey for investing in Israeli bonds and maintaining trade partnerships valued at $1.72 billion. Others blasted the amount of military aid that the United States gives to Israel, NJ Spotlight News reported.

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As tensions at the Newark protest rose – and police stood guard outside Booker’s office – a large group of activists managed to get inside the building, staying there for more than 30 minutes until leaving to continue their march.

Several protesters unrolled a massive scroll that contained the names of Palestinians who have died since the war began. Others reported that they were “aggressively removed” from the area by building security.

“They tried to keep us out of Cory Booker’s office but we stormed the building,” a protester wrote, sharing a video of the moment that activists breached the doors.

“Civil disobedience all the way,” they added.

Some of the chants that were heard at the protest included “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” – a controversial phrase that some advocacy groups have labeled as hate speech. Read More: Controversial Slogan Incites Fear As NJ Students Plan Walkout

The Daily Targum reported that the walkout was led by several pro-Palestinian organizations, including Students for Justice in Palestine at Rutgers—Newark, the New Jersey branch of American Muslims for Palestine and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

The Nov. 9 protest wasn’t the first time that activists have put the spotlight on Booker.

A large crowd of protesters rallied at Newark City Hall in October, carrying Palestinian flags and signs that declared “Free All Palestinian Prisoners” and “Resistance Is Justified When People Are Occupied.” Other protesters held signs that carried more controversial messages, including: “The Zionists Ignited The Fire” and “Free Palestine: End the Genocidal Occupation.”

• See Related: Palestine Protesters March In Newark: 'Lift The Siege On Gaza'

BOOKER ON ISRAEL-PALESTINE

Booker – a Newark resident who was visiting Israel at the time of the Oct. 7 attack – has continued to show evolving views on the war.

The senator said he was on a jog when his chief of staff urged him to get back to their hotel. Booker spoke of the “fear and worry” that he and others taking shelter there felt, sharing an update that he and his team were safe.

“I emphatically condemn Hamas' horrific acts of violence, kidnapping and terror targeting Israeli families, children and other civilians in towns and cities across the nation of Israel,” Booker said after the attack.

“I stand with the people of Israel and the families of those who have lost loved ones,” he added.

• See Related: Bergen County 'Beautiful Boy' Killed In Israel Fighting, Family Says

On Oct. 9, Booker – a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee – called for Congress to immediately pass additional security assistance to Israel and boost resources for programs that “support the security of nonprofits that may be at increased risk here at home.”

“In the wake of Hamas’ unprecedented and ongoing attacks and acts of terror, it is critical that Congress act quickly to pass additional security funding for our ally Israel, including Iron Dome replenishment,” Booker said, adding that “innocent Palestinian civilians” were also victims of the rising violence.

Booker, a Democrat, reached across the aisle on Oct. 17 in a joint statement with Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican from Iowa. The pair urged President Joe Biden to “put his full attention on the freeing of American hostages” and “supporting Israel’s efforts to dismantle the threat of Hamas.”

On Oct. 18, Booker was among several Congress members who introduced a bipartisan resolution “condemning Hamas’s brutal terrorist attacks on Israel” and demanding that Hamas “release all hostages and allow for their safe return home.”

That same day, Booker also signed a letter that urged the Biden administration to contribute to the United Nations’ emergency appeal of $294 million to address humanitarian needs of Palestinians.

“More than one million people in Gaza have fled their homes in search of safety, with nearly half of those taking shelter in U.N. facilities,” the lawmakers wrote. “The United Nations estimates that Gaza will run out of food and water within days. Health care facilities are overwhelmed, running desperately short on supplies and impacted by the lack of electricity. The humanitarian needs on the ground have dramatically increased over the past week, and conditions will likely continue to deteriorate in the days and weeks ahead.”

Booker was among a contingent of federal lawmakers who made a four-day trip to Saudi Arabia, Israel and Egypt in late October to discuss current affairs in the region – particularly the Israel-Hamas war.

“Hamas’ unconscionable acts of violence, kidnapping, and terror targeting Israeli families, children, the elderly, and other civilians must be met with unwavering international condemnation,” Booker said.

“Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorist attacks and to ensure that something like October 7th never happens again,” he continued.

However, Booker added that “Palestinian civilians are not to blame for Hamas’s terror and are also victims of Hamas’ brutality.”

“We must all prioritize the protection of innocent Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire and ensure that life-saving humanitarian assistance is able to enter Gaza and reach those in need,” the senator said.

On Oct. 27, Booker joined nearly two dozen other Senate members to call for fuel deliveries to hospitals and water treatment centers in Gaza. The lawmakers wrote:

“Right now, hospitals in Gaza are hours away from running out of fuel that powers ventilators, incubators for babies, and other lifesaving equipment, and diseases are rapidly spreading without power to treat and pump clean drinking water. To prevent a potential health crisis and help save countless lives, we believe it is possible to transport fuel directly to these hospitals, desalination plants, and water pumping stations with full transparency to prevent diversion to Hamas. There are extensive oversight mechanisms in place that will track the fuel deliveries directly to the intended sites where they can be used immediately to prevent the deaths of innocent civilians, including babies and children.”

On Oct. 28, Booker called for “humanitarian pauses” to ensure that life-saving assistance reaches innocent civilians in Gaza – and for the purposes of “returning hostages held by Hamas to safety.”

In early November, the senator signed a joint Congressional statement that reiterated that Israel has the “right and obligation” to defend itself against Hamas, whose leadership “continues to state clearly that their goal is the complete annihilation of Israel.”

However, Israel also has an obligation under international law to minimize harm to civilians and allow humanitarian aid to reach those who are suffering, the lawmakers argued.

On Thursday, the former presidential candidate joined Rep. Dan Goldman of New York in a plea to the Biden administration: “Don’t lose sight of the increasing danger posed by Israeli settler violence in the West Bank.”

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