The Hoboken Police Department is investigating the theft of the Israeli flag from City Hall on Friday evening, with Mayor Ravi Bhalla condemning the incident.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
On Friday, Oct. 20, at approximately 10 p.m., two individuals stole the Israeli flag, which had been flying at half-staff outside Hoboken City Hall, located at 94 Washington St., following the October 7th Hamas terrorist attack in Israel, city spokeswoman Marilyn Baer said.
As a result, the city filed a police report with the Hoboken PD and anyone with information is asked to contact Det. John Quinones at (201) 420-2100 ext. 3182.
“I am disturbed by the brazen theft of the Israeli flag, which was proudly flying outside of Hoboken City Hall, in recognition of the lives lost following the Oct. 7th terrorist attack in Israel by Hamas. I want to make it unequivocally clear that we will not tolerate such behavior in our community,” Bhalla said in a statement.
“Hoboken is a diverse city that has always stood for fairness and inclusivity. We take pride in the fact that our community embraces people from all walks of life and from all corners of the world. Anti-Semitism, or any form of hatred and bigotry, has no place in our city and we are fully committed to ensuring that every resident and visitor feels safe and respected in Hoboken.”
Today, Bhalla was joined by Rabbi Robert Scheinberg, of the United Synagogue of Hoboken, and Business Administrator Jason Freeman to re-raise the Israeli flag.
On October 10th, Gov. Phil Murphy (D) joined Hoboken officials for a vigil at the Pier A Park gazebo that drew approximately 1,200 people.
At the time, the governor condemned the “brutality and carnage” that was initiated by Hamas terrorists.
