Westfield Apologizes For Removal Of Israel Kidnapping Victim Flyers

WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield Town Officials issued an apology for its removal of flyers on East Broad Street showing the victims of kidnapping by Hamas terrorists in Israel.

The flyers were removed on Tuesday by the Forestry Division of Public Works and a resident returned them to Town Hall.

The Town said it removed the flyers as part of its ongoing duties and regularly removes any posted items that are damaging to Town trees.

"While their work is well-intentioned and focused on the maintenance of Town property, today's actions represented a profound error in judgment and caused pain to the Jewish community, whose ongoing suffering in the wake of October 7 was only compounded by the removal and disposal of the flyers," wrote the Town.

After being notified, the Town Administrator immediately directed DPW to retrieve the flyers from the trash but found they had already been taken. A resident had already returned them to Town Hall to be cleaned.

The Town is consulting with Temple Emanu-El about the next steps.

"We value our Public Works employees, who perform their jobs to the best of their abilities 365 days a year, and we have closed the communication gap to ensure there will be no additional removal of such flyers," wrote the Town. "The Town recognizes these are frightening and traumatic times for so many in our community and we remain committed to the safety, security, and well being of all residents. We apologize once again that today's actions fell short of that commitment."

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