Controversial Slogan Incites Fear As NJ Students Plan Walkout: Israel-Palestine

This article was updated at 11 a.m. on Oct. 28

WEST ORANGE, NJ — 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 – which some people say equates to hate speech.

The walkout at the high school was planned for the last period of the day on Monday, Oct. 30. However, the walkout has apparently been delayed indefinitely, school officials said in an update on Friday (read the full message below).

Meanwhile, the organizers behind the walkout released their own statements in the wake of the controversy, emphasizing that their intent is to uplift "peace and humanity" and not to cause division in the community.

Here are the latest developments in the story.

MAYOR ISSUES STATEMENT

Mayor Susan McCartney issued a wary statement about the protest on Thursday, sharing an announcement for the event that states: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” The announcement makes no mention of the attacks that Hamas launched on Israel on Oct. 7, she added.

According to the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the phrase is a common “call-to-arms” for pro-Palestinian activists.

“It calls for the establishment of a state of Palestine from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, erasing the state of Israel and its people,” the group says. “It is also a rallying cry for terrorist groups and their sympathizers, from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine to Hamas, which called for Israel’s destruction in its original governing charter in 1988.”

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) says the slogan is antisemitic, and using it can make members of the Jewish and pro-Israel community feel unsafe and ostracized.

Both groups say that “demanding justice for Palestinians” or a Palestinian state is not antisemitic – a viewpoint that other advocates, such as Jewish Voice for Peace, have also supported. 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.

Others have had much harsher criticism of the phrase, calling it outright “genocidal.”

The controversial nature of the phrase has raised serious worries in the local community when it comes to Monday’s planned protest, West Orange’s mayor said.

McCartney said that the West Orange Board of Education’s policy for demonstrations supports students’ constitutional right to assemble peaceably and to express ideas and opinions – as long as their activities “do not infringe on the rights of others … or offend the rights of others.”

“For decades West Orange has prided ourselves and embraced our diversity, with respect for others and ability to thrive as a multi-cultural community,” McCartney said. “Many new homeowners have specifically moved to our beloved community to be a part of this true microcosm represented by hundreds of nationalities, religions, and races where unity and respect is the norm.”

“We proudly and genuinely support and celebrate our differences as one community,” she added.

McCartney continued:

“We must be mindful that in order to be true to ourselves and our unified commitment to our diverse population many of our neighbors have been personally affected by the attacks. Our neighbors on both sides of the conflict have lost family members and have relatives who have been called to duty and others who are missing … As your mayor, I beseech those involved in this event to honor your community, respect your neighbors, and pray for the return of hostages and the safety of all of the innocent people who have been affected by the attack and its aftermath.”

Walkouts and student-led protests aren't new in West Orange. In recent years, local students have rallied to protest gun violence, climate change and the school dress code.

PRINCIPAL'S UPDATE: WALKOUT DELAYED

West Orange High School Principal Oscar Guerrero issued an update about the walkout and the district's planned response on Friday.

Guerrero wrote:

"Good afternoon Mountaineer families. Over the past few days, I have received many emails and phone calls regarding a student demonstration taking place on Monday, Oct. 30. To be clear, our school is not sponsoring, supporting, or condoning the demonstration that students have planned. The WOHS administration is aware of and monitoring the situation.

"We have met with the student who posted the original image to discuss and educate them on the offensive nature of the statement in question. The original post was removed and the student agreed not to use that language in future postings. We have also met with students to ensure that they know that cutting class to participate in a demonstration will lead to disciplinary consequences. In addition, they have been cautioned that inappropriate speeches or statements, up to and including hate speech, could also lead to additional disciplinary action. I would like to report that after several conversations, our students have issued a new statement via social media delaying the demonstration until they can properly deliver a message rooted in peace and humanity.

"Our priority continues to be the safety and well-being of all students. We appreciate all of the feedback we have received from our community and continue to support our students as they strive to find their voices during these trying times."

STUDENTS: PALESTINE AND HAMAS AREN'T THE SAME

Organizers posted two messages about the walkout. The first was issued on Thursday:

“Saying ‘Free Palestine’ does not mean we condone Hamas. Palestine and Hamas are NOT the same thing and we must work to separate the notion that they are intertwined in order to protect Muslim individuals, especially in our town. I didn't think that when I posted the flier, I would have to specify that we are not pro-Hamas. We condemn the actions of Hamas and will make this known throughout our demonstration on Monday. Our first thought of Palestine cannot be Hamas. It must be the innocent lives lost. We appreciate everyone's opinions and feedback and are working diligently to make the walkout a safe, respectful, and peaceful opportunity for every voice in West Orange to be heard. When we say ‘Free Palestine,’ we mean free them from ALL tyranny including Hamas.”

The second was issued on Friday, after Mayor McCartney issued her own statement about the walkout:

“After discussion with administration and fellow students, we have decided to delay Monday's walkout. The intent of the adjustment is aimed at affording all stakeholders ample time to receive a clear message of peace and humanity. We encourage all community members to continue upholding the values of our great community – peace, unity, and unwavering support for humanity. Together, we must persist in exemplifying the finest qualities of our community. We acknowledge how this has upset the community and want to address that before the demonstration, it was meant to call for peace and unite the community, not to create division. As students, we are on a continual journey of learning how to effectively harness our voices to make a positive and meaningful impact in the world.”

ISRAEL-PALESTINE

More than 1,400 Israelis were killed after Hamas launched their now-infamous 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 say thousands of people have been killed in Gaza due to Israel's retaliatory air strikes – also including civilians and 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 ongoing war has seen widely divergent reactions from West Orange elected officials, community leaders, and people with loved ones on both sides of the conflict: Israeli and Palestinian.

After the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, town officials issued the following statement on the municipal website, saying that supporting Israel aligns with democratic and “Western” values:

“In light of the surprise attack on Israel in the early hours of Shabbat morning the West Orange Township Mayor and Township Council stand in support of Israel along with our West Orange Jewish Community. Supporting Israel is both a matter of upholding our democratic values here at home and also promotes stability abroad in the region. Israel’s commitment to human rights aligns with Western values and deserves our attention, prayers, and full measure of support today and during the difficult days that lie ahead.”

Meanwhile, in the West Orange Public School District, Superintendent Hayden Moore said the focus should be on the “human loss” experienced in Israel and Gaza – and the effect it is having on students.

“As the situation unfolds, we understand that students and staff of all backgrounds, especially Israeli and Palestinian, have loved ones in the region,” Moore wrote. “They may be feeling scared, shocked and upset. Know that we are keeping you in our thoughts and we will have counseling services and staff on hand for those students that need support.”

On Friday, Moore released an additional statement about the walkout, noting that the district does not endorse or tolerate any form of hate speech.

"I express my gratitude to the high school administration and advisors for engaging with our student leaders to discuss the language used in their messaging," Moore continued. "I also thank the student organizers for recognizing that the language was offensive to members of our community and for choosing to postpone the demonstration with the aim of ensuring that the message of peace and humanity is conveyed appropriately, without any form of hate speech."

"We are committed to upholding the values of our district – peace, unity, and supporting humanity," the superintendent added. "Only together, we represent the best of West Orange."

• See Related: Show Compassion For Israel, Palestinian Families: West Orange Official

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.

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 latest 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).

Our Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ – which serves Essex County among other areas of the state – said that its members “stand shoulder to shoulder” with the state of Israel.

“We pray for our families and friends, and for the safety of Israel’s people and its security forces,” the nonprofit stated.

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: Essex County Divided As Death Toll Grows (UPDATED)
• 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
• 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

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