Protesters flock to Muslim NYC pol’s workplace, as 1000’s maintain vigil for hostages in Central Park

Protesters descended on a Muslim metropolis councilwoman’s workplace Sunday saying she helps to gasoline an anti-Israel tide of hate — as 1000’s individually rallied in Central Park in assist of the hostages.

About 60 folks gathered for a vigil exterior the workplace of Brooklyn council member Shahana Hanif, who they accused of getting a “lack of assist for Jewish constituents.”

Hanif, who represents Kensington, Boro Park, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope, and Cobble Hill, confronted outrage from Jewish members of these communities simply days after the Oct. 7, 2023, assault when she posted tweets blaming Israel for the assault.

“The basis reason behind this warfare is the unlawful, immoral, and unjust occupation of the Palestinian folks,” she wrote Oct. 13. “There will probably be no peace except the rights of all folks on this area are revered.”

After holding a second of silence for the roughly 1,200 folks killed throughout the Oct. 7 and a prayer for the 101 nonetheless held hostage by the phobia group Hamas, demonstrators exterior her workplace Sunday learn of a petition calling on Hanif to “take concrete actions to assist us in your new position as co-chair of the councils Process Drive to Fight Hate.

“This can be a district that’s about 30% Jewish, and 6 days after [Oct. 7], she blamed the murdered and raped for their very own rape and homicide,” occasion organizer Danny Aronson instructed The Put up. “Per week later, she was arrested for being too violent at a violent pro-Hamas protest. She tweets globalize the Intifada.

“I’ve lived by way of two intifadas. Intifadas’ busses blowing up with children inside. And we as constituents have felt, not solely is she not de-escalating, exhibiting compassion in the direction of the people who stay on this neighborhood, however she is making it worse.”

Hanif was not instantly capable of be reached for remark.

Throughout city in Central Park in Manhattan, the mom of 20-year-old hostage and New Jersey native Edan Alexander joined a crowd of demonstrators in erecting a “fence of hope,” which was adorned with images of the hostages who nonetheless stay captive in Gaza.

“As a mom, I can’t describe the ache of not figuring out the place your youngster is. Our hearts are damaged, however we’ll by no means cease preventing for his return. The world should perceive how pressing that is,” his mom, Yael Alexander, mentioned on the march organized by the New York Hostages and Households Discussion board.

“It’s been a 12 months, and no humanitarian group has been allowed to see them. We’d like a cease-fire for peace to start and to begin to heal as a nation and as folks. We’d like motion and we’d like it now,” she mentioned.

Her son had solely just lately graduated from Tenafly Excessive College in Bergen County, NJ, when he joined the Israeli Protection Drive. He was stationed with the Golani Brigade 51st Division close to the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, when the terrorists swarmed over the border and took him captive amongst about 240 others.

At the very least 1,200 had been additionally murdered, most of them civilians.

Among the many crowd in Central Park was additionally Moshe Lavi, the brother-in-law of hostage and father of two younger daughters Omri Miran.

“While you see me smile, know that I’m in ache. So many work, so many conferences, however they’re nonetheless there,” Lavi mentioned.

“I’m sending what my sister shouted yesterday: forgiveness for all of the hostages that now we have deserted you.”