West Orange Mayor Cancels Palestine Flag Raising, Critics Cry Foul

WEST ORANGE, NJ — The mayor of West Orange says that a Palestinian flag raising event scheduled for this week is canceled, an announcement that has thrown new fuel on an already fiery local debate over the Israel-Hamas war.

According to Mayor Susan McCartney, “unforeseen challenges” are making it “unfeasible to proceed” with a Palestine flag raising event that was scheduled to take place at 4 p.m. on Friday in front of Town Hall, 66 Main Street.

However, two of her colleagues – town council members Bill Rutherford and Asmeret Ghebremicael – have since questioned whether McCartney has the authority to nix the flag raising event. Each have said that they are “committed to that event occurring as planned” on Jan. 5.

The mayor’s announcement has seen both support and criticism in a town that has been starkly divided over the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has claimed thousands of civilian lives and caused incalculable suffering on both sides.

Some community members cheered McCartney’s announcement on social media.

“Thank you Mayor McCartney for considering the community as a whole,” one commenter wrote. “I believe all people would like to see the Palestinian people have safety and legitimate representation and self-determination, however at this time the flying of a Palestinian flag implies support of a Hamas leadership which is recognized as a terrorist organization specifically by our federal government.”

“Thank you for this moral stance,” another person wrote. “There’s no moral equivalency between terrorists and their victims who are defending themselves. Thank you for not giving in to the mob. They may be the loudest, but that doesn’t mean they’re the righteous.”

However, other community members have protested that canceling the Jan. 5 flag raising event is a free speech violation, as the township held a flag raising celebration to mark Israel’s 75th year of statehood in April.

After Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, town officials issued a joint statement “in support of Israel along with our West Orange Jewish community” on the municipal website and social media.

The statement – which didn’t mention Palestine or its people – read as follows:

“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.”

MAYOR: ‘HATE HAS NO HOME IN WEST ORANGE’

McCartney issued a statement last week about the cancellation of the Palestinian flag raising event on Jan. 5.

“As mayor, I must act on behalf of all West Orange residents,” she wrote. “In fulfilling that sworn duty, I have decided this decision is in the best overall interest of the community.”

“While the decision brings deep disappointment, it is driven by a commitment to prioritize the safety of the broader community,” McCartney continued. “While acknowledging the disappointment, this difficult choice underscores my responsibility to act on the common good of our community.”

“Efforts will be directed towards exploring alternative options with the hope of delivering a meaningful experience of cultural celebrations in the future,” McCartney added.

The mayor also made a plea for “the power of unity over division” in her statement:

“In West Orange we feel pride in our diversity – a mosaic of cultures, backgrounds, and traditions that come together to create a vibrant and unique community. It is this diversity that makes us strong, resilient, and enriched with a wealth of experiences and perspectives. In times of division, it is our shared humanity that can guide us towards understanding, empathy, and unity. Our town, with varied perspectives, is a reflection of the broader world where complex histories and passionate beliefs can sometimes create divides. While our opinions may differ, it is important to recognize the common ground that binds us. As we face these challenges let us foster an environment where open dialogue can flourish and where we seek common solutions that benefit us all. We can, and must, acknowledge the humanity of all members of our community and do so peacefully. No one should feel silenced in our town. I ask that every West Orange resident show compassion for those who are grieving and hurting and call out bigotry in any form against any group whenever you see or hear it. It is more important than ever at times when our resolve is tested that we draw upon the strength of our community diversity.”

“Let us continue to look out for one another, listen and communicate with respect, and find solace in the knowledge that ‘Hate Has No Home in West Orange,’” the mayor concluded.

COUNCIL MEMBERS: ‘WE SHOULD RAISE THE PALESTINIAN FLAG’

McCartney’s decision to cancel the Jan. 5 event may not be the final nail in the coffin for Friday’s flag raising for Palestine, two town council members say.

According to Ghebremicael and Rutherford, they remain “committed” to the event taking place as scheduled. They explained their reasoning in a joint statement:

“The West Orange Township Council is elected to serve the people of West Orange. When we took our official oath of office, we agreed to uphold the New Jersey and U.S. Constitutions. [We] oppose Mayor McCartney’s cancellation and her statement, which suggests that she has the right to cancel the permitted Palestinian flag raising, originally scheduled for next Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. Further the reasoning behind the cancellation woefully lacks credibility. We believe in the right to peacefully assemble and expect and believe our township has the heart, patience and tolerance to do exactly that. We’ve done it before, we can do it again.”

“Like us, Mayor McCartney was elected to represent all people of this township,” Ghebremicael and Rutherford continued. “Leadership requires the ability to make tough decisions at critical times, understand the needs of the entire community, and act in ways that meet the need. All of us should be focused on helping to bridge the gaps between communities in West Orange. Honoring the voices of our neighbors who feel ignored is one way to begin that process.”

“We recognize there are no easy solutions, but foregoing the right to assemble simply makes the matter worse,” they added.

Ghebremicael and Rutherford also referred to the township’s Israel flag raising event in April and the joint statement issued in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack from Hamas:

“Just as we have all willingly stood in solidarity with the Jewish community by enthusiastically supporting an Israeli flag raising, we should stand with our neighbors from other communities who need the same support. All elected officials in West Orange have stood in solidarity with the Jewish community after the horrendous October 7 attacks, making statements of support for our Jewish friends and neighbors, and reaching out in a myriad of ways, including being present at events meant to honor the slain and encourage the immediate release of hostages. That support remains unwavering and ongoing. Just as we have shown strong support for this vital part of our community, we are committed to stand with Palestinian neighbors and friends, and all people of West Orange who want to raise the Palestinian flag. The flag raising ceremony was intended to break the silence of local elected officials on this matter and to celebrate our Palestinian residents' culture with food, music and dance while remembering the many innocent victims in the Israeli-Hamas conflict.”

“We respectfully request that Mayor McCartney align the township’s actions with the protections afforded by New Jersey law and the U.S. Constitution,” Rutherford and Ghebremicael concluded. “We expect West Orange to be a beacon of light in this dark time for all residents affected by this tragic war.”

• See Related: West Orange Mayor Sues Town Council; Trenk Saga Continues

ADVOCATES: ‘AN ATMOSPHERE OF EXCLUSION’

McCartney’s announcement has also seen criticism from West Orange for Humanity, a local advocacy group that says its members came together in October 2023 in response to the “silencing of Palestinian voices and the indifference to Palestinian suffering in our town.”

According to the group, showing support for the people of Israel was an understandable response to the horrific events that took place on Oct. 7.

But the same respect for the suffering of the people in Gaza should also be shown – and the town doesn’t have the right to stop it from taking place, they add.

“Mayor Susan McCartney and her administration approved the event, issued a permit, reviewed the announcement and publicized it – only to take down the announcement a few hours later, with the mayor announcing on social media that she had canceled it,” the group alleged.

“This was due to racist and Islamophobic accusations equating raising a Palestinian flag with support for Hamas and advancing the absurd notion that the phrase included on the event announcement, ‘Palestinian joy is resistance,’ was hateful terminology that could incite violence,” the group said.

• See Related: ‘Criticizing Israel Doesn't Make You Antisemitic,’ NJ Activists Say

“Despite it all, Palestinian joy perseveres,” West Orange for Humanity stated. “The town won’t raise our flag so we will bring our own, dance to our music, and celebrate the beauty and resilience of our culture.”

An online petition launched by the group in protest of the “unjust cancellation” has garnered nearly 900 signatures.

“This decision not only undermines the principles of diversity, equality, and inclusion that our town claims to uphold but also violates our First and Fourteenth amendment rights as well as the essence of our shared humanity,” its members argued. “We vehemently condemn such actions that perpetuate discrimination and create an atmosphere of exclusion.”

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

STUDENT WALKOUT

West Orange has also seen a fierce debate over a student walkout at the high school held in support of Palestine. The walkout, held on Nov. 22, was delayed after an outcry from people who said the event was causing fear in West Orange’s Jewish community (see video below).

Part of the controversy revolved around the use of a phrase that some people say equates to hate speech: “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

“Saying ‘Free Palestine’ does not mean we condone Hamas,” organizers of the walkout have countered.

• Read More: West Orange Students Hold Walkout Over Israel-Palestine War
• Read More: Controversial Slogan Incites Fear As West Orange Students Plan Walkout
• Read More: West Orange Parents Are Afraid Pro-Palestine Students May Be 'Doxed'

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