WHEREAS, the Township of Teaneck (the “Township”), represents a diverse community with residents from numerous races, ethnicities and religious groups who may have personal connections to innocent civilians in Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank; and
WHEREAS, there has been an increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic threats of violence across the United States and reports of bias incidents in the Township of Teaneck in the wake of the Hamas terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Anti-Palestinian and Anti-Muslim attacks are on the rise having resulted in the killing of a six-year old child in Illinois on October 14; and
WHEREAS, the actions of Hamas, do not represent the views of all Palestinian people or the entire international Muslim community; and
WHEREAS, the Township recognizes that residents are hurting, in pain, and in need of compassion and understanding; and
WHEREAS, the Township desires to facilitate human understanding between community members who may have been impacted by the ongoing Israel-Hamas War; and
WHEREAS, Teaneck supports community efforts to reach out and learn about different community groups in order to increase understanding of one another; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Township Council of the Township of Teaneck has zero tolerance for terrorism, violence, hate crimes and discrimination of any kind against any race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, gender, or persons; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Township Council of the Township of Teaneck supports all Teaneck residents and values the lives of innocent Israeli and Palestinian civilians; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Township Council of the Township of Teaneck supports a
humanitarian solution to minimize the loss of innocent lives in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war
and calls for the safe return of all innocent hostages currently in captivity; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Township Council of the Township of Teaneck supports
the Teaneck Jewish Community, the Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim Community and will work to
ensure their continued safety in the wake of increased hate crimes; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Township Council of the Township of Teaneck will communicate to our residents without bias and be inclusive of all residents; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Township Council of the Township of Teaneck will always stand by Teaneck residents first; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Township Council of the Township of Teaneck will work towards bringing the entire Teaneck community together to listen to and support each other regardless of religious affiliation or demographic background in order to reach a place of PEACE, UNITY and HEALING
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