New Jersey Muslim Coalition criticizes Gov. Murphy, elected representatives for position on Palestine

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A November 3, 2023, letter sent by the New Jersey Muslim Coalition,  signed by 55 mosques, expressed “profound disappointment” with  Governor Phil Murphy and other federal and local elected representatives, for their “reluctance to call for a ceasefire to end this carnage of innocent Palestinian civilians,” in Gaza.

The letter also expressed concern “about the role in part that you played in the dehumanization campaign of the Palestinian people indicating that they are less worthy than others of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

The statements of national leaders, it said, “have also put the lives of Muslim, Arab and Palestinian Americans in jeopardy including a rise in Islamophobia and putting our constitutional rights at risk as our students and professionals are subject to intimidation and harassment.”

“As concerned citizens who value justice and peace on a global scale, we feel compelled to express our concerns about the direction of the one-sided support that you have provided,” the letter went on to say.

The signatories demanded that elected representatives call for:

“1. Ceasefire: Call for an unconditional Ceasefire from all sides to the conflict

2. Humanitarian Aid: Call for an overwhelming and immediate humanitarian aid response with New Jersey in partnership with the Federal Government playing a central role in the effort.

3. Voice of Peace: Once the carnage stops that you all become leading and unequivocal voices in support of solving this conflict based on International Law. No more. No less.
4. Equality: That you immediately commit to changing the false and insidious paradigm of viewing IsraeliLives as more valuable than Palestinian lives.”

According to the signatories, “The Muslim American community has worked tirelessly for decades to deepen its civic engagement with the belief that the United States, as a champion of democracy and human rights, would play a critical role in fostering a fair and just resolution to the complex issues facing our country, including those that have plagued the Middle East for decades.”

The letter noted that to date “only Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman has shown the courage and integrity to stand with the rest of the world’s voices (120 countries) and vote for an immediate ceasefire.

“We urge you as representatives of the largest per capita (3-5% of the population) Muslim American community in the country to stand for justice and support a balanced approach that promotes peace,” the letter went on to say.

“We remain committed to the principles of equality and justice and hope that we can find a path forward working with you and our national leadership to foster a more balanced and constructive approach based on International Law to bring peace to the Israeli and Palestinian people,” the letter said.