Local police are investigating who is responsible for “Free Palestine” graffiti at the United Synagogue of Hoboken yesterday morning, with Hudson County law enforcement partners also aiding in the probe.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Yesterday at approximately 9 a.m., Sgt. Anthony Russo, Detective John Quinones, and Police Officers Chelsea Tamborra and Jesse Castellano responded to the United Synagogue of Hoboken,115 Park Ave., on reports of graffiti, public safety spokeswoman Marci Rubin told HCV.
Synagogue staff reported they found the graffiti “Free Palestine” written on synagogue property, which officers also saw before it was cleaned off.
The Hoboken Police Department will conduct additional daily checks of Synagogue property, and the HPD’s Detective Bureau is investigating, along with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. The County Bias Crimes Liaison has also been notified of the incident.
Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact Police Officer Chelsea Tamborra at tamborrac@hobokenpdnj.gov or 201-420-2100 ext. 3109.
Elected leaders throughout the Mile Square City are denouncing the incident and calling for the culprit(s) to be brought to justice.
“Disgusted to learn this morning someone vandalized the United Synagogue of Hoboken by painting ‘Free Palestine’ on the column near the Synagogue’s front gate,” 5th Ward Councilman Phil Cohen, who is Jewish, wrote on X.
“Thanks to the @HobokenPD for immediately responding and investigating this hate crime. Hate has no home in Hoboken.”
2nd Ward Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, who is also Jewish, echoed the same sentiment.
“What world do we live in where this is ok? Not my world. Certainly not #Hoboken. Hoping those who desecrated the USH are brought to justice quickly,” she wrote.
“Defacing any place of worship has no place in Hoboken and will not be tolerated. Hoboken is a fair and welcoming City where we should all respect our differences and diversity of thought without intimidation or the vandalizing of property,” added Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who also commended the Hoboken PD and Rabbi Robert Scheinberg for their efforts.
Furthermore, a message to the United Synagogue of Hoboken community called the incident “deeply troubling.”
“Vandalism of property, of any kind, is never appropriate. Singling out a synagogue for defacement with a message that is antagonistic to Israel is deeply troubling and particularly reprehensible, no matter what one’s perspective may be on any political question,” the message says.
“We are grateful to our community for prioritizing our security and for nurturing strong relationships with our law enforcement partners over the course of many years. We remain convinced that this is a time to be vigilant but not to be fearful.”
Hey at least Ravi’s friends didn’t put up a Hamas flag and burn the building down.
They did that on US monuments and flagpoles in DC yesterday.
Hail Kamala!