From The Desk of COJO CEO, Mr. Scott Maurer,

For the past week, I have been  profoundly disturbed by the morally repugnant nature that has become commonplace at many higher educational institutions across the United States of America. This has been especially evident among a large percentage of their student bodies. It appears as though many of our institutions, which play a foundational role in educating and guiding the next generation of American citizens, are cultivating an atmosphere of unwavering and unquestioning solidarity with the terrorist leadership of Palestinians, known as Hamas. The pro-Palestinian message has thus been transformed not into one of peace and unity, but rather into an unwavering cry that promotes a dangerous ideation that justifies Hamas’ terrorism as 'freedom fighting.' These particular Palestinian supporters are directly and willfully endorsing and celebrating the brutal tactics employed by the proud terrorist organization that is Hamas, while hiding behind the “Free Palestine” movement. How can we even remotely consider it humane to condone such horrific acts of aggression and human destruction, acts that only serve to escalate tensions and perpetuate the cycle of violence and ongoing atrocities in the Middle East? Why are we enabling our educational institutions, (which are funded by taxpayer money,) to allow for the promotion of death and devastation? There is no justification that can be heard here.

For those of you who are not up-to-date, what happened in Israel on October 7th, 2023, was a modern-day, live-recorded pogrom; such a tragedy has been compared to that of ISIS attacks and the Holocaust. Those who proclaim 'Free Palestine' in the streets today are celebrating suffering that obstructs any prospects of achieving a peaceful resolution in the Middle East, a resolution that should be the world’s hope as the right path to take. Across the United States of America–a country that has suffered from its own major attacks of terrorism in recent years, such as 9/11– tens of thousands of individuals are parading the deaths of innocent civilians in Israel and standing in support of the villains of this nightmare. These villains, Hamas, cheered when the Twin Towers were struck and distributed candies in the streets, just as they did for this massacre.

These “freedom fighters'' are in fact terrorist enablers. They are choosing to  justify the evil and darkness of the following: babies shot numerous times in their cribs; the brutal torture and massacre of an estimated 260 young adults as they celebrated at a peace music festival on a holiday; burning civilians alive in their own homes; murdering and raping innocent people in front of family members who in turn were dragged through the streets as trophies. In just one township, 40 babies were found tortured and slaughtered and there are an estimated 200 people kidnapped, ranging in age from 4 to 85 years old, who were dragged by force to terrorist strongholds in Gaza. We still don’t know what many of their fates are and there are hundreds of other atrocities that can be described as nothing less than evil. Indiscriminately, Jews, Muslims, Arabs, Israelis, tourists, mothers, fathers, and their babies–innocent humans–have been targeted and subjected to horrific acts for which Hamas has proudly taken credit. Americans have been kidnapped and murdered. Israelis have been kidnapped and murdered. French citizens have been killed. British citizens have been killed. Thai citizens have been killed. German citizens have been killed. Brazilian citizens have been killed. The list goes on as more information is released each day.

Hamas represents an ongoing threat to both humanity and the regional stability that Israel has been grappling with since its inception. This terrorist organization has consistently and brazenly pursued the destruction of the State of Israel through a range of reprehensible tactics, including the indiscriminate launching of rocket attacks against Israeli civilians and the orchestration of suicide bombings. These tactics not only defy the most fundamental principles of humanity but also threaten instability to the entire region.

What is particularly alarming as well as often overlooked is that within the founding documents and rhetoric of Hamas, there exists an explicit call for the annihilation of Israel by any means available. This is accompanied by an additional disturbing call for the elimination of Jews not just in Israel but worldwide. These declarations run contrary to the most basic principles of coexistence, tolerance, and respect for human life.

In addition to the immediate threat posed to the people of Israel, Hamas' actions are also fundamentally incompatible with American values. The United States, a nation founded on principles of liberty, democracy, and respect for human rights, stands firmly against terrorism and any ideologies that endorse violence as a means of achieving political goals. By advocating for the destruction of a sovereign nation and the targeting of innocent civilians, Hamas not only challenges the values that the United States holds dear but also places itself in direct opposition to the principles of peace, justice, and security that the world should strive to uphold.

Jews across America have found themselves living in fear as antisemitism rears its ugly head on the heels of this baseless attack. The rise of hatred against Jewish individuals, fueled by a climate of hostility, has forced many to conceal their identity. Incidents of Jewish students fearfully removing mezuzahs, which are symbols of faith, from their doorposts have become disturbingly common. Swastikas and other Nazi symbols are appearing in places that were once considered safe. It is a harrowing reality that Jews who advocate for justice and stand against hate are being targeted. This climate of fear is further exacerbated by the unsettling fact that a generation of students is being allowed, encouraged, and endorsed by many institutions to celebrate crimes against humanity. Jewish students across the United States live in dread as some of their peers call for more deaths that could inevitably include their own. At this pivotal moment, the concern extends beyond personal safety; it's a fear for American values. If our educational institutions fail to stand against this tide of hate, we risk losing the very essence of what it means to be an inclusive and just society.

What you are signing:

We, the undersigned, call for immediate action to address the rise of anti-Semitism and support a peaceful resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The recent events have raised serious concerns about the safety and well-being of Jewish individuals and students across the United States. We condemn both the actions of Hamas as well as the rampant support of the massacre across institutions of higher education in America. 

Petition Points:

●      Reject Terrorism: We stand united against terrorism in all its forms, including the actions of Hamas. Hamas has been recognized as a terrorist organization by numerous countries, including the United States, Israel, and the European Union, due to its history of violence, suicide bombings, and attacks on civilians.

●      Support Peace: By signing this petition, you affirm your commitment in seeking a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We believe that the path to peace is through dialogue, coexistence, and condemning terrorist organizations like Hamas that undermine these efforts.

●      Protect Innocent Lives: We advocate for the protection of innocent lives, regardless of their nationality or background. It is vital to acknowledge Israel's commitment to minimizing civilian casualties and upholding international humanitarian law while combating terrorism.

●      Defend Israel's Right to Self-Defense: Like any sovereign nation, Israel has the right to defend its citizens from threats posed by terrorist organizations. We recognize the moral dilemma Israel faces in balancing security measures with the preservation of innocent lives.

●      Stand for Humanity: Our petition emphasizes the importance of standing for basic principles of humanity, condemning acts of violence, and promoting dialogue and coexistence. We reject tactics that use civilians as human shields and endanger innocent lives.

Goals of the Petition:

●      Raise Awareness: We aim to shed light on the complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and highlight the reasons to stand with Israel in its fight against terrorism. Increased awareness can lead to more informed and empathetic perspectives.

●      Support Peaceful Coexistence: Our goal is to support a future where Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in harmony, free from the threat of terrorism and violence. We believe that this is achievable through dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism and promoting peaceful dialogue.

●      Reject Extremism: We condemn extremist groups like Hamas and their willingness to employ violence and terror tactics to achieve their objectives. We believe that these actions defy basic principles of humanity and pose a threat to regional stability.

●      Advocate for Global Collaboration: We stress the importance of collaboration within the global community to address and combat the actions of extremist groups like Hamas.

●      Stand in Solidarity: By signing this petition, you stand in solidarity with the values of peace, justice, and the right to self-defense. We reject any form of violence, extremism, or acts that cause suffering to innocent lives.

●      Contact Local Representatives: We urge signatories to take an active role in contacting their local representatives to discuss concerns related to universities and campuses that allow violent rhetoric supporting Hamas. This includes raising awareness about the safety and well-being of Jewish students on campuses.

●      Engage with Campuses: Signatories are encouraged to engage with campuses that permit violent rhetoric endorsing Hamas and work towards fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students.

●      Combat Anti-Semitism: We affirm our commitment to actively combat anti-Semitism and discrimination in all forms. Signatories pledge to take a stand against hatred and prejudice.

●      No Support for Hamas: We call for responsible use of community and taxpayer support, ensuring that it does not inadvertently support organizations or individuals promoting violence or terrorism.

We urge you to join us in this petition to reject terrorism, support peace, protect innocent lives, defend Israel's right to self-defense, and stand for humanity. Together, we can make a meaningful impact and work towards a more peaceful future in the region.

 “WE STAND WITH ISRAEL, WE STAND WITH HUMANITY”

“You do not have to be Jewish or Israeli to be outraged…You only need to be human…”

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at your convenience, I remain, 

Sincerely, 

Mr. Scott Maurer - COJO, CEO - A concerned representative of the Staten Island Jewish Community