Israel-Palestine: Essex County Divided As Death Toll Grows (UPDATED)

This article was updated at 8:15 p.m. on Oct. 13

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The latest round of harrowing violence in the Gaza Strip has shocked the world, including people living thousands of miles away in New Jersey. But opinions about the hostilities remain divided in Essex County, with many people supporting Israel’s right to defend themselves from a “murderous terrorist organization,” others blasting officials for making “one-sided” statements and ignoring the suffering of Palestinians, and yet others pleading for peace between the two sides.

Hamas — a militant, fundamentalist Islamic organization — has governed Gaza since coming to power during the last-held elections. Several nations, including the United States, have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. Read More: What Is Hamas, The Group That Has Ruled The Gaza Strip Since 2007?

Thousands of Israelis and Palestinians have been killed since Hamas launched a large-scale surprise attack across the Gaza-Israel barrier on Oct. 7, and Israel’s military launched a series of air strikes on Gaza in retaliation. Israel formally declared war on Oct. 8.

As of Oct. 13, more than 1,300 people in Israel – including civilians and children – have been killed since Hamas forces launched their now-infamous assault, reports say. Dozens of the deceased are U.S. residents, including some from New Jersey. An unknown number of Israeli soldiers and civilians were also seized by Hamas and taken into Gaza. Read More: Hamas Attacks Deadliest Day For Jews Since The Holocaust, Biden Says

Meanwhile, Palestinian authorities say at least 1,537 people have been killed in Gaza as of Thursday evening due to Israel's air strikes – also including civilians and children. Israel has cut off water and electricity in Gaza, raising an outcry from pro-Palestinian advocates.

New Jersey has seen no credible threats of attacks inspired by the ongoing violence, state Attorney General Matthew Platkin said last weekend. Nonetheless, law enforcement officials have been increasing their patrols at Jewish and Muslim houses of worship around the state, including in Essex County. Read More: Increased Security At NJ Houses Of Worship After Attacks On Israel

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).

Community members continue to rally across Essex County in memory of the dead. See Related: Thousands To March In North Jersey For 'Israel Solidarity'

The 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.

The Friendship Circle, a Livingston-based nonprofit that works to create opportunities for Jewish and other youth in North Jersey and Essex County, has also blasted the “terrorists” associated with Hamas who are behind the attacks.

“In the coming days and weeks, the heroic [Israel Defense Force] soldiers will do all that they can to save the abducted and combat the terrorists,” the nonprofit wrote in a recent blog post that shared some ways to aid Israel and its people.

The latest attack from Hamas also saw harsh condemnation from several New Jersey politicians with ties to the area, including Sen. Cory Booker, a Newark resident who was in Israel at the time for an Abraham Accords-focused N7 summit on regional economic integration in Tel Aviv.

Booker said he was on a jog when his chief of staff urged him to get back to the hotel. The senator spoke of the “fear and worry” that he and others taking shelter there felt, sharing an update that he and his team were safe.

“I emphatically condemn Hamas' horrific acts of violence, kidnapping and terror targeting Israeli families, children and other civilians in towns and cities across the nation of Israel,” Booker said. “I stand with the people of Israel and the families of those who have lost loved ones.”

Another member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Robert Menendez, also said he “unequivocally stands with Israel.”

“I emphatically condemn the murderous invasion by Hamas into Israel during its religious holidays,” said Menendez, who recently had an office in Newark. “The killing of innocent Israelis in their homes by Hamas, during an invasion from Gaza, shows them to be what they are – a murderous terrorist organization.”

“I hope the detractors of Israel will now understand the constant life and death struggle the Israeli people live with every day,” Menendez added. “It is time for the international community to unequivocally condemn Hamas.”

Other leaders from Essex County who have issued statements in support of Israel include:

U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) – “This morning’s attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists falls on the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War and targeted innocent civilians. I condemn it wholeheartedly and deeply hope peace can be found. My thoughts today are with the families of the victims … It is appalling to see the murders, kidnappings, and rockets raining down on Israeli communities. I’ve been in close contact with Jewish community leaders in NJ and those who have loved ones in Israel. We stand with the Israeli people who have every right to defend themselves.”

U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (NJ-10) – “I am closely monitoring the situation in Israel with great concern. Our commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself remains unwavering. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families who have tragically lost their loved ones in this abhorrent attack on innocent civilians. We must prioritize peace and work towards a future free from violence and terrorism. I’m also very concerned about how Hamas has taken whole Israeli families hostage. They are civilians. This is absolutely unacceptable.”

Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller – “I am devastated to see the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel today. My heart goes out to the Israeli people as they recover and respond to the heinous attack. New Jersey and Israel have a close connection and I know many in our own community are suffering. We stand shoulder to shoulder with you at this difficult time. On the home front, residents should be aware that the Montclair Police Department is on full alert and giving special attention to all places of worship, especially those of the Jewish and Muslim faiths. While we should all remain calm, any suspicious activity should be reported to the Montclair Police Department immediately. Let us join together in our hope for an end to the loss of innocent life.”

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‘THIS WAS NOT AN ATTACK, IT WAS A RESPONSE’

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, had a very different take on the matter.

The Newark-based group criticized the latest statements from elected officials – most of which didn’t make a single mention of Palestine.

The Gaza Strip, the smaller of the two Palestinian territories, has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade since 2007. The latest uprising from Hamas came after months of clashes between Israelis and Palestinians, including confrontations in Jenin and at Al-Aqsa mosque that killed nearly 250 Palestinians and 32 Israelis.

The United Nations has previously called Israel’s aggressions in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank “illegal under international law” and a “substantial obstacle to peace,” CAIR-NJ said, blasting elected officials in the Garden State for “ignoring the suffering” of the Palestinian people.

And it shouldn’t be a surprise that violence has erupted yet again, they added.

“For nearly two decades, Israel has kept Gaza in an open-air prison through its illegal ongoing land, air and sea blockade,” CAIR-NJ stated. “That the people of Gaza effectively broke out of prison — resisting an occupation that is not only inhumane but also illegal under international law — is inevitable and should not be unexpected.”

The group said the recent comments from New Jersey’s elected officials are “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 group said.

According to American Muslims for Palestine, it’s vitally important to ask the question: “Why are Palestinians doing this?”

“This was not an attack, it was a response,” the group argued, calling the latest barrage from Hamas “inevitable.”

“Expecting a besieged, occupied, brutalized and colonized people to remain docile in the face of nearly a century of brutal oppression and colonial subjugation is inhumane and unjust,” American Muslims for Palestine said.

‘TIME TO END THE CYCLE OF BLOODSHED’

Although “nothing can justify the acts of terror” that have been committed by Hamas, the most recent violence “does not come in a vacuum,” United Nations secretary general António Guterres said.

“The reality is that it grows out of a longstanding conflict with a 56-year-long occupation and no political end in sight,” Guterres pleaded. “It’s time to end this vicious circle of bloodshed, hatred and polarization.”

It was a point echoed by former U.S. President Barack Obama.

“As we support Israel’s right to defend itself against terror, we must keep striving for a just and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” Obama wrote.

SOMA Action, a progressive grassroots advocacy group in South Orange and Maplewood, reported that its members were "horrified to learn of Hamas’s terrorist attack against the people of Israel."

"We know that our Jewish community members and Jews around the world are terrified and grieving, not only for the magnitude of the tragedy but for the ongoing violence this portends," the group wrote in an Oct. 12 statement.

However, a "world and society free from structural violence, physical violence and spiritual violence" is still worth fighting for, the group added.

"Though this conflict is unspeakably complex, though tensions even within our own progressive community run high, though we may individually or as an organization say and do things in the pursuit of a more peaceful world that fall short or even hurt each other - we will never abandon the work of fighting for a world free from violence," SOMA Action stated. "And in that work we find that our love and respect for each other crosses all borders and nationalities."

Bnai Keshet synagogue in Montclair issued a statement about the violence on social media, writing that "the fate of the Jewish people, the fate of Israelis and the fate of all those who inhabit the land are inextricably tied to one another."

Bnai Keshet added that its members were "shocked, saddened and angry" after hearing of the terrorist attacks.

"We pray for a fast cessation of violence, the safe return of all those who are being held and safety for all," the synagogue stated.

• See Related: Israel-Hamas: How To Talk To Your Kids, Practice Self-Care

The ongoing crisis has continued to divide neighbors in North Jersey along Israel/Palestine lines, however. And the debate hasn't been limited to Essex County. See Related: NYC Israel-Hamas War Conflicts Spill Across City (Here's What To Know)

The Palestinian American Community Center planned to hold a “community gathering” and press conference to “honor the lives lost at the hands of the Israeli occupation forces” at 5 p.m. on Monday in Paterson.

Meanwhile, the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey was scheduled to hold a rally in support of Israel and to condemn the “devastating surprise attacks by Hamas” at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10 in Tenafly.

• See Related: Times Square Rally Over Israel Violence Draws NYC Mayor’s Condemnation

But at least one New Jersey resident has suggested that there is blame on both sides – and an isolationist policy is best when it comes to the U.S. and the Gaza Strip.

“The U.S. needs to stay the f*** out of foreign conflict,” they posted on X. “Things aren’t so great here and we can’t afford it anyway.”

• See Related: Social Media, Musk's X Awash In Misinformation About Israel-Gaza War

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