In this Palestinian community, frustration grows as politicians ignore calls for cease-fire

Nearly two weeks into the war between Israel and Hamas, only one member of New Jersey’s congressional delegation has signed on to a resolution calling for a cease-fire.

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, a Democrat from Mercer County, co-sponsored the Ceasefire Now resolution, which calls for immediate de-escalation, a cease-fire and delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Local leaders say they are "deeply disappointed" that Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., a Democrat whose North Jersey district includes one of the largest Palestinian communities in the nation, was not among the signees. Muslim and Arab advocates gathered outside Pascrell’s Paterson office Thursday to urge him to support the cease-fire resolution and speak out against the bombardment of Gaza.

“Enough is enough,” said Dina Sayedahmed, communications manager for the Council on American Islamic Relations’ New Jersey chapter. “We need our Congress members and elected officials across the state to take a principled stand, to listen to their constituents and to heed their call.”

An emailed reply from Pascrell's office did not address calls for a cease-fire but noted that the congressman supports President Joe Biden’s $100 million for humanitarian aid in Gaza and the West Bank.

"The congressman is praying for peace, as well as the civilian lives lost and injured, including at least 32 American citizens killed and 12 Americans unaccounted for that might be in Hamas’ hands," a spokesperson replied.

The war began Oct. 7 when Hamas militants stormed and attacked southern Israel, killing more than 1,400 people, including 30 Americans, and wounding almost 4,000. It was the biggest attack in Israel in 50 years. About 200 people were taken hostage, including two Americans who the White House said Friday had been freed.

Since then, Israel has killed more than 3,500 Palestinians in Gaza and injured 13,000 in airstrikes that have leveled neighborhoods, schools and infrastructure. Israel has also prevented food, medical supplies and electricity from reaching the 2.3 million residents of Gaza, nearly half of them children.

“Israeli policy toward Gaza is violence that amounts to internationally recognized collective punishment,” said Wassim Kanaan, chair of the state chapter of American Muslims for Palestine. “The situation for Palestinians in Gaza right now is dire.”

The Paterson area is home to thousands of Palestinian Americans, and many families have been grieving over loved ones killed in Gaza. At least 75 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers in the West Bank since the Gaza war erupted.

Palestinian Americans and their supporters also have faced a spike in bias and hate directed at them since the start of the conflict. Community leaders say they have not heard from Pascrell. The congressman's office replied that it had engaged directly with constituents seeking help for loved ones in the region.

In Congress, where criticism of Israel is often rare, more than a dozen Democrats signed on to the cease-fire resolution. Another resolution, which supports “Israel’s right to self-defense” and did not call for de-escalation, garnered support from 420 members of Congress.

Some in the halls of Congress are expressing dissent. More than 400 Muslim and Jewish congressional staffers signed an open letter urging their bosses to join calls for an immediate cease-fire, Politico and HuffPost reported on Thursday.

American diplomats are also preparing a dissent cable, a formal critique of U.S. policy by State Department employees, over Biden’s handling of the war, according to HuffPost.

Pascrell’s only press statement on the conflict came Oct. 7. Pascrell wrote: "Hamas has committed heinous acts of murder against Israelis. Israel has the right to protect its people and respond and America stands with Israel today. I pray for peace and extend my condolences for the innocent lives lost in these unprovoked attacks."

His office has not issued additional press statements on the conflict, while some of Pascrell’s peers in Congress issued a flurry of statements declaring unequivocal support for Israel.

Watson Coleman, in her statement of support for the Ceasefire Now resolution, said de-escalation “must be a primary focus of our foreign policy.”

“Secretary Blinken must work with his counterparts in the region to call for an immediate cease-fire and delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza," she said. "While an immediate cease-fire is essential, we must simultaneously address how we arrive at a lasting peace."

Other sponsors include Democratic Reps. Cori Bush of Missouri, Jamaal Bowman of New York, Andre Carson of Indiana, Jesús “Chuy” García of Illinois, Jonathan Jackson of Illinois, Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, Delia Ramirez of Illinois, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, and Nydia Velázquez of New York.

“Our collective responsibility must be to ensure a two-state solution that recognizes the equal rights and needs of Israelis and Palestinians as well as a commitment to rebuilding homes and communities in Gaza," Watson Coleman said. "A lasting peace requires courage and accountability to facilitate.”

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Cease-fire in the Middle East: Only one NJ rep has signed a resolution