TRENTON, NJ — Pro-Palestinian groups are calling for New Jersey Governor Phi Murphy to send aid to Gaza in light of the Israeli military response to a deadly terrorist attack that killed over 1,000 innocent Israelis in October.
The Jewish Bar Association of New Jersey (JBAR) has expressed concern over a recent statement from the New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association (NJMLA), which called on Governor Murphy to send aid to Gaza. JBAR highlighted its distress over the humanitarian crisis in the region but criticized NJMLA for using the situation to promote antisemitic tropes by solely accusing Israel of murder. JBAR argues that the real cause of the crisis is Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7th, which it says was aimed at eradicating the Jewish state.
JBAR refutes the allegations against Israel, attributing a recent rise in antisemitism in New Jersey and worldwide to such false accusations. The association emphasizes that Hamas’s actions, including the killing of 1,200 Israelis following a ceasefire breach, should be recognized as murder, not Israel’s defensive response.
The Jewish association also criticizes NJMLA’s support for UNRWA, linking the agency to Hamas and accusing it of promoting hatred and violence against Jews. JBAR urges Governor Murphy to ensure that any aid sent to Gaza does not fall into the hands of Hamas or UNRWA and calls for aid to Israelis affected by attacks from Hezbollah.
JBAR advocates for peace, including the unconditional release of hostages taken by Hamas, and calls on the NJMLA to condemn Hamas’s use of human shields and obstruction of aid to Palestinians. The statement concludes with a call for unity and peace among all New Jerseyans and extends wishes for a meaningful Ramadan to the Muslim community.