Pro-Palestinian activists plan protest against ZAKA at New Jersey synagogue

• Published date: 02 April 2024
• Author: MICHAEL STARR
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

The Rabbinical Council of Bergen County and Bergen County Jewish Action Committee said on Monday in response to local authorities being unable to cancel the demonstration that they would hold a counter-protest of speeches, singing, and prayer led by rabbis and community leaders. Both organizations urged community members to conduct themselves properly and not allow themselves to be baited by obscenities and provocations

BJAC and RCBC said in a joint Sunday statement that the protest was antisemitic for rallying at a Jewish holy site and against a humanitarian organization that provided final dignity for October 7 victims by collecting body parts and preparing victims for religious burial.

The ZAKA event had planned to hear first-hand accounts of the ZAKA workers and their search and rescue operations during the pogrom and for local Jewish community members to show support and gratitude.

"This protest is a violation of all that we hold sacred," RCBC and BJAC said. "First and foremost, it is a desecration of the memory of those who died at the hands of genocidal terrorists...second, it is a brazen attack on every member of the Jewish community, as the twelve hundred kedoshim [holy ones] of October 7th -- men, women, and children -- were killed simply for being Jewish."

RCBC and BJAC said that the demonstration was "yet another attack on our holy spaces of worship," referencing the March 10 protest of an Israeli real estate exposition at the Congregation Keter Torah Synagogue.

How did Jewish groups respond to the protests?

The Jewish groups had requested that local authorities intervene and prevent the protest, but were informed that this would not be possible. RCBC and BJAC said that they would hold a peaceful counter...