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Outrage over a divisive flag raising in New Jersey found the mayor defending his being “welcoming of Palestinians and their allies.”

Despite protests of the planned ceremony, Monday at Hoboken’s City Hall, Democratic Mayor Ravinder Bhalla proceeded to host an event displaying the “Palestinian flag.” While some were surprised that the first Sikh mayor in New Jersey would endorse a standard associated with Islamist extremists, the activist executive, who previously joined in a George Floyd protest, defended the move.

“Emails I received in my inbox regarding a recent flag raising included phrases such as ‘deeply offensive,’ a ‘slap in the face,’ ‘an insult,’ and asking ‘how can you do this?’” Bhalla wrote in a lengthy statement on X. “The above sentiments were the reactions to the City’s decision this past June to raise the flag of Israel for Israel Independence Day, as requested by a group of residents to celebrate and recognize the contributions of Israelis to our community here in Hoboken. In that case, the flag raising was mischaracterized by some as supporting the policies of the State of Israel.”

“Now the exact — sometimes to the word — expressions have entered my email inbox in reaction to the raising of the Palestinian flag,” he went on.

“Over the past days, I have received emails stating that this flag raising means that the city supports terrorism and antisemitism. Similar to earlier this year, I am taking lengths to explain that raising the Palestinian flag is an expression of our support of the Palestinian community in Hoboken and beyond, at a time when they are also hurt and suffering,” asserted Bhalla who also noted there were relatively few citizens in Hoboken who identified as such.

“In Hoboken, we host flag raising for many communities that want their voices to be heard, and their identity recognized. This includes flag raisings like the Pride Flag, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Italy, India, Ukraine, and more,” the mayor argued. “We treat all people equally and want to recognize the cultural heritage and existence of the Palestinian people as well, especially at a time of suffering.”

Prior to Monday’s ceremony, calls to protest the event went out on social media with the message, “NO JIHAD IN HOBOKEN,” while, after the fact, accounts like Libs of TikTok and the non-partisan group Stop Antisemitism called out Bhalla for the display that smacked of Hamas sympathy.

“This is not Gaza. This is Hoboken, NJ,” wrote Libs. “The Mayor held a Palestinian flag raising ceremony in City Hall today.”

While the Hudson County View reported that an attendee of the ceremony said, “We’ve been told that raising the Palestinian flag is a controversial act or activity. But no one’s existence should be controversial. Thank you for your humanity,” others on social media called for the mayor’s resignation for the display typically lofted by those calling for the extermination of Israel with the chant, “From the river to the sea.”

Kevin Haggerty
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