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Following an antisemitic demonstration in Teaneck, New Jersey, on Wednesday, Mayor Michael Pagan — who visited Israel last month on a mayoral solidarity mission organized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) and signed a letter this week calling for more active U.S. leadership in diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the 120 hostages remaining in Hamas activity since October 7th — issued the following statement:
Last night there was once again a protest in Teaneck on the municipal green. Thank you to the Teaneck Police, Township Manager Jackie Hashmat and Chief Andrew McGurr for their diligence in ensuring everyoneโs safety. As the Mayor of Teaneck, it is my responsibility to ensure that all residents can exercise their rights peacefully. That includes the right to protest, even if I disagree in the strongest terms with the views expressed.
Last night, witnesses to the protest reported antisemitic chants including โfrom river to sea,โ “there is only one solution — intifada revolution!,โ and promises of escalation from the protesters if demands are not met, and blaming all of Teaneckโs Jewish population for the policies of the Israeli government, as well as the cheering of the death of IDF soldiers by Hamas terrorists, and the destruction of the Flag of Israel.
I condemn all of these acts of antisemitism that took place last night. I also feel it is my duty, as your representative and someone whom you have honored with your trust, to tell you the truth. The misinformation disseminated by the protestors who repeatedly visit our town is dangerous and puts us as Americans and our Jewish residents at risk. As many of you know, I personally traveled to Israel for the first time several weeks ago. I went to see the reality for myself, and I did.
What I found was not โapartheidโ — certainly not on the Israeli side of the border. I saw no โgenocide,โ or โwar of conquest, or โland theft.โ What I saw were Jews, Muslims, Christians, Druze and Bedouins living side-by-side. I saw a country under constant attack from non-stop rockets defending itself in a war it did not start, and fighting for the return of innocent men, women and children abducted from their homes.
I was shocked by the carnage I witnessed at the Kibbutzim on Israelโs border and at the Nova festival. I drew inspiration from the ordinary people I encountered, including many former residents of this town, who are part of something much bigger than themselves and fighting to lead their lives in peace.
I was deeply moved by the experience and in the weeks since have endeavored to share what I saw with this townโs residents, and will continue to do so, because that is my responsibility as a leader, and as a human being with a good conscience to speak out.
All seven members of the Township Council unanimously stated on October 17, 2023, โas Americans we must stand united in firmly condemning any person or group which espouses such antisemitism, racism, hatred, bigotry and violence and acknowledge and declare to ourselves and to the world that those who espouse such doctrines are evil and pose a threat to all of humanity.โ
As the Mayor of this town, I stand for the truth and with those who fight for it.ย Which is why I stand with Israel.