Teaneck Town Council votes in favor of supporting Israel, denouncing Hamas as demonstrators rally outside
TEANECK, N.J. -- The Teaneck Town Council voted yes Tuesday night to denouncing Hamas and supporting the state of Israel, as outside in the parking lot, things grew very tense.
Behind the police barricades on one side at the Teaneck municipal building, pro-Palestinian demonstrators shouted as Israeli supporters gathered to show their support for the town council referendum to denounce Hamas.
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"What Hamas has done to innocent people and starting it, I'm totally opposed to their actions," Teaneck resident Marty Singer said.
Chopper 2 was overhead as the crowds grew.
On the ground, things got heated and even uncomfortable.
Police were ready as both sides chanted their views.
"In my religion, Palestine is the holy land," one demonstrator said.
Palestinian demonstrators were angry over strong support and sympathy for Israel from local governments and what they call a lack of understanding behind the history between Israel and Gaza.
"Everyone keep taking about Hamas. Why are not we talking about the beginning of the problem, where it started?" one demonstrator said. "I don't understand how Palestine has been occupied the last over 70 years, and all of a sudden there is a group that is retaliating, and if we know by U.N. law, that is not a terrorist group."
But Israel supporters were calling them out.
"I don't think this was the place to do this," Teaneck resident Josh said.
Saying on a day that was important for Israel to feel support, this was not the place to show such anger.
"I think it's reprehensible. I think what they are doing is really, really awful, to support this kind of thing. This is very clearly terrorism and antisemitism and great hatred," Josh said.
Despite the backlash, the town council vote on the referendum to denounce Hamas and support Israel was unanimous, and those who live in Teaneck say they hope other cities will follow suit.
