Pro-Palestine Protesters March In Newark: 'Lift The Siege On Gaza'

NEWARK, NJ — “Stand with Palestine. Lift the siege on Gaza now!” This was the message from protesters who marched through downtown Newark on Sunday to call for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

A large crowd of protesters rallied at Newark City Hall, 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.”

Several people have posted video footage of the Newark protest, some of which can be seen here and here.

“So healing to see such a diverse group of people united in the collective demand for a ceasefire and a free Palestine,” an attendee commented.

Organizers of the rally included the Palestinian American Community Center, American Muslims for Palestine-New Jersey Chapter, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Cosecha, the Palestinian Youth Movement, and Al-Awda-NY.

The protesters called on U.S. Sen. Cory Booker – who has an office in Newark – to take action on the federal level and support a ceasefire between the two sides.

Booker, who was visiting Israel at the time of the Oct. 7 attacks from Hamas, has maintained that the nation has the “right and responsibility to defend itself from terrorist attacks.”

However, Booker has also echoed the Biden administration’s call for “humanitarian pauses” to ensure that life-saving assistance – such as food, water, medicine and fuel – reaches innocent civilians in Gaza.

“Hamas’ attacks against Israel, including the gruesome massacre and kidnapping of civilians, are abhorrent and necessitate a robust response that ensures the long-term safety and security of both Israelis and Palestinians,” said Booker, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

“At the same time, we must not lose sight that upholding the law of war and protecting civilians is absolutely paramount,” Booker added. “I’m concerned by the humanitarian situation on the ground in Gaza. The images of loss and human suffering from Gaza are devastating.”

According to an event announcement shared before the protest, organizers are also calling for federal officials to end to all funding for the “Israeli occupation” of Gaza.

President Joe Biden and his administration are proposing a $105 billion national security package that includes $14.3 billion in military aid for Israel. The funds are partly intended to help secure the release of any remaining hostages held by Hamas – including U.S. citizens.

The Biden administration also recently announced that the U.S. is providing $100 million in humanitarian assistance for the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank.

ISRAEL-HAMAS: WAR, CONTROVERSY INTENSIFIES

More than 1,400 Israelis were killed after Hamas launched their 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 200 Israeli soldiers and civilians were also seized by Hamas and taken into Gaza as hostages. Read More: Hamas Attacks Deadliest Day For Jews Since The Holocaust, Biden Says

Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities said last week that more than 7,000 people have been killed in Gaza due to Israel's retaliatory air strikes – also including civilians and nearly 3,000 children. Israel has cut off water and electricity in Gaza, raising an outcry from advocates, some of whom have called Israel’s order for Palestinians to evacuate to the southern part of the Gaza Strip an “impossible” task.

The war has seen widely divergent reactions in Essex County from elected officials, community leaders, and people with loved ones on both sides of the conflict. Read More: Israel-Hamas: Essex County Divided As Death Toll Grows (UPDATED)

Some politicians, such as U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, have been unwavering in their support of Israel and its right to “defend itself from the existential threat posed by Hamas.”

“Congress must act swiftly to provide Israel with all the necessary resources to ensure it can properly protect its people, deter Iran’s nefarious efforts in the region, and effectively wipe Hamas off the face of the Earth,” Menendez said.

Others, such as longtime Essex County activist Larry Hamm – who is running for Menendez’s seat in 2024 – have insisted that a “ceasefire” between the two sides should be the goal.

“The conflict is leading to a genocidal catastrophe for Palestinians living there, and drawing other countries into wider regional hostilities that could potentially trigger world war,” Hamm said. See Related: Senate Candidate From NJ Calls For Ceasefire In Israel-Gaza War

Other local government bodies and officials to call for “peace” and a de-escalation of hostilities include the mayors of Newark and East Orange, and the Essex County Board of Commissioners.

• See Related: Newark Mayor: Don't Use Israel-Hamas War To Fan Flames Of Hate
• See Related: Israel-Palestine: East Orange Mayor Says 'Peace' Should Be The Goal
• See Related: Israel-Palestine: Essex Commissioners Condemn Hatred, Plead For Peace

The fear and concern among Essex County residents, many of whom have relatives or loved ones potentially in harm's way, has galvanized entire communities.

After the Oct. 7 attack from Hamas, more than 2,000 people gathered at Temple B'nai Jeshurun in Short Hills to "pray together for our friends and family in Israel" in a show of solidarity and support (watch video footage here).

Meanwhile, the New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), one of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organizations, has criticized statements from elected officials as being one-sided and “inaccurate,” and are a slap in the face to the Palestinian American families and communities in New Jersey that have made their homes in Paterson, Clifton and other areas throughout the state.

“We stand with Gazans and Palestinians as they demand dignity,” the Newark-based group said.

• See Related: Israel-Hamas: How To Talk To Your Kids, Practice Self-Care
• See Related: People Fleeing Israel Arrive At Newark Airport After Harrowing Journey

Emotions are spiking across the nation – including in Essex County – as Israel ramps up its ground assault in Gaza.

After the Oct. 7 attack, New Jersey public safety officials said there is "no credible threat" to the safety of any religious groups in the state. However, law enforcement began stepping up patrols around New Jersey in sensitive areas, particularly Jewish and Islamic houses of worship.

Last Friday, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office said there has been a “marked increase” in bias targeting Jewish and Muslim community members in schools and college campuses across the state.

• See Related: Jewish And Muslim Americans See Harassment Spike Since War Began

As protests supporting both sides continue across New Jersey, renewed attention has been given to the language that protesters are using.

In West Orange, a pro-Palestinian student walkout being planned at West Orange High School has sparked concerns in the community, largely because of a controversial slogan its organizers used in their initial flier, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” – which some people have characterized as hate speech.

However, the students leading the walkout said that their intent is to uplift "peace and humanity" and not to cause division in the community.

“Saying ‘Free Palestine’ does not mean we condone Hamas,” the students wrote. “Palestine and Hamas are NOT the same thing.”

• See Related: Controversial Slogan Incites Fear As West Orange Students Plan Walkout

This slogan – “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” – was also chanted at Sunday’s rally in Newark.

Pro-Palestine supporters have also been criticizing the language used in statements about Israel-Gaza.

Earlier this month, nearly 200 Rutgers professors published an open letter to Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway, accusing him of making “one-sided statements that only mentioned Israeli victims in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.” Read More: 200 Professors Criticize Rutgers President For Israel-Hamas Response

According to Rabbi Dovid Feldman – who spoke at a rally for Palestine on Oct. 18 at Rutgers-Newark – there are many people in the Jewish community who are in “total solidarity with the suffering people of Palestine.”

This stance is consistent with advocates such as Jewish Voice for Peace, who have alleged that the “root of this violence is Israeli oppression of Palestinians.”

Groups such as the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League say that “demanding justice for Palestinians” or a Palestinian state is not antisemitic. But calling for the elimination of the Jewish state, praising Hamas or other entities who call for Israel's destruction – or suggesting that the Jews alone do not have the right to self-determination – surely is, they add.

The above video comes courtesy of Renee Johnston

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.