Organized Jewish Community Condemns Murphy’s Call for Ceasefire

We are saddened and disappointed by Governor Murphy’s statement calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

While we appreciate his condemning Hamas and acknowledging the urgent need to bring all the hostages home, we find his announcement tone-deaf. Since October 7th, the Jewish community in New Jersey has been under siege due to the 400% rise in antisemitism in our schools, universities, and municipalities.

In his statement, he mentions ensuring long-term peace and security for Israelis. By calling for a ceasefire, he endangers the survival of the only democracy in the Middle East and ignores the root causes of the war.

Conflating a two-state solution with a ceasefire is dangerous, enables antisemitism to soar, and heightens division among the very people who elected Governor Murphy to lead our state.

We are disappointed that our Governor had ample opportunity to share his concerns with the Jewish community, but instead chose to unilaterally publish a statement.

It is disheartening to learn that the Governor does not appreciate the devastating local impact of this was on the Jewish Community. His statement minimizes the plight of the hostages, including from our own New Jersey families and communities. His statement offers nothing for the victims on both sides, who need Hamas to surrender for this war to end. Nor does his statement stand for decency and civilization in the face of terror and hate.

We will stand with Israel and the Jewish people, now and forever.

The following groups and individuals are also in support of the above statement:

37. Jewish Education Center
38. Jewish Family Services of MetroWest NJ
39. Jewish Federations of Greater MetroWest Jewish Community Relations Council
40. Jewish Federations of Northern New Jersey Jewish Community Relations Committee, Alana Burman
41. Jewish Federations in the Heart of New Jersey Jewish Community Relations Council
42. Jewish Federations of

Southern New Jersey Jewish Community Relations Council

43. Jewish Federations of West- Central New Jersey Jewish Community Relations Council
44. Jewish Home Family
45. Jewish Vocational Service of MetroWest
46. Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
47. Jewish Family and Children Services of Monmouth County
48. Jewish Family and Children Services of Northern NewJersey

49. Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties
50. Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy/Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School
51. Marlboro Jewish Center
52. Mount Freedom Jewish Center
53. Oheb Shalom Congregation
54. Orthodox Union
55. Politz Day School of Cherry Hill
56. Rumson Jewish Center at Congregation B’nai Israel
57. Rutgers Hillel
58. Synagogue of the Suburban Torah Center
59. Ted Block Acupuncture
60. Temple B’nai Abraham
61. Temple B’nai Jeshurun
62. Temple B’nai Shalom
63. Temple Beth El
64. Temple Beth Miriam
65. Temple Beth O’r Beth Torah
66. Temple Beth Shalom
67. Temple Har Shalom – Warren
68. Temple Shalom
69. Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel
70. Torah Links
71. Young Israel of East Brunswick