Howell Township Council Unanimously Condemns Anti-Semitism, Despite Opposition

The Howell Township Council took a vocal stand against anti-Semitism on Tuesday night, unanimously adopting a resolution that was drafted in response to a billboard on Route 9 which read: “Stand with Humanity. Stand with Palestine. Paid for by Voice for Humanity Project.” The billboard has come under fire as being antisemitic.

The Council’s resolution, 24-184, opposes anti-Semitism in all its forms, acknowledging the First Amendment’s protection of free speech but also the need to condemn objectionable speech that promotes hate. The resolution notes a significant spike in anti-Semitic incidents in the US since October 7, 2023, and emphasizes that acts of hate, intimidation, discrimination, and violence based on ethnicity or religion have no place in the community.

Despite strong opposition from some members of the public, the Council emphasized that they condemn all forms of hate and recognize the need to address hate at home. Senator Bob Singer and Assemblyman Sean Kean also released statements condemning the billboard, calling it a “blatant display of anti-Semitism” and a “slap in the face” to innocent people who have lost their lives to Hamas terrorists.

Speaking at the meeting in opposition to the resolution were pro-Palestinian activists and Yisroel Dovid Weiss of Neturei Karta, who had come to the meeting with a few of his fellow terror-supporting cronies. Weiss, who has traveled the world meeting the most notorious terrorists and Jew-haters, was in Manhattan just the day before, where he was seen helping burn the American flag.

Also speaking in opposition to the resolution was a Jackson resident. The same resident had booed Agudah NJ Director Shlomo Schorr several months ago for speaking at a Jackson Township Council meeting, claiming that she was doing so because he is not a Jackson resident and therefore shouldn’t be commenting on township matters. Yet, hypocritically, this woman traveled to Howell to speak at a township meeting.

Several attendees spoke in favor of the resolution, including Assemblyman Schnall’s chief of staff, David Dolan.

The approved resolution:

1. Strongly condemns and denounces all instances of anti-Semitism in the US and globally.
2. Reaffirms support for the Jewish community at home and abroad.
3. Calls on elected officials and world leaders to condemn and fight all forms of anti-Semitism.
4. Rejects all forms of terror, hate, discrimination, and harassment of Jewish community members.