NJ Palestine Events 1/7-1/13

South Jersey for Gaza Rallies

South Jersey for Gaza continued its powerful advocacy with its regular rallies held twice a week, on Tuesday in Mount Holly and Saturday in Collingswood. These rallies serve as a platform for community members to raise awareness about the ongoing genocide in Gaza, using signs and loudspeakers to alert passing motorists about the dire situation. These grassroots actions are a significant part of the local movement for Palestinian liberation and justice, offering a consistent presence on the streets to amplify the call for ceasefire and accountability.

Teaneck for Ceasefire: A Vigil with a Purpose

Teaneck for Ceasefire held its weekly rally on Wednesday at the National Guard Armory from 4 PM to 5 PM. The vigil, organized by a group dedicated to peace and human rights, has been a regular feature in the community for over two decades. Paula, one of the main organizers, shared that the vigil was originally started in response to the Iraq War in 2005 and has continued uninterrupted ever since. In the wake of the October 7th attacks, however, their focus shifted to calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and opposing the genocide unfolding there.

The central feature of the Teaneck vigil is a series of posters that convey the staggering toll of human lives lost in Gaza. Originally, the number 45,000 was used, but as the death toll continues to rise, that figure has now increased to 300,000, including those killed by bombs and those who have perished from starvation, dehydration and other weapons of siege warfare used by the Israelis. Paula explained that this was a necessary and unflinching reminder of the atrocities happening in Gaza, and the posters provide a somber visual representation of the scale of human suffering. Other vigils across NJ should consider adopting the same tactic.

The vigil is also dedicated to the memory of Palestinian poet and activist Refaat AlAreer, who was tragically murdered by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) following an online hate campaign. AlAreer had dared to compare the October 7th attacks to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, a statement that ignited a backlash among some in the Israeli public and led to threats against him and his family. Shortly before his death, he received threatening calls from Israeli numbers, and days later, he and his family were killed in a targeted missile strike. AlAreer’s death is not an isolated incident but a clear example of the ethnic violence being perpetrated in Gaza, and exposes the absolute fact that Israel is engaging in the wholesale slaughter of civilians based on their ethnic identity. This crime is also known as genocide.

Montclair for Peace Action Vigil

Montclair for Peace Action also held its weekly vigil on Friday from 4-5 PM at 2 Church Street. The group has been an active voice in the region, consistently pushing for peace, justice, and an end to the occupation of Palestine. The vigil provides a space for community members to come together in solidarity, raising awareness of the continued violence in Gaza and advocating for immediate action to stop the genocide.

South Orange and Montclair for Palestine Collective Actions

The South Orange and Montclair for Palestine Collective, a growing coalition advocating for Palestinian rights, held a rally on Sunday, January 12th from 2-3 PM at South Orange Town Hall. In addition to this, they organized another event on Monday called “Monday’s with Mikie,” where they gathered outside the office of Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill in Livingston, NJ. The event focused on demanding policy changes such as an arms embargo on Israel, a permanent ceasefire, the reinstatement of UNRWA funding, and a Free Palestine. These actions represent a growing commitment from local activists to hold elected officials accountable for their role in perpetuating the Israeli occupation and the oppression of Palestinians.

Leonia Vigil

Citizens from Leonia NJ held their weekly rally for Palestine at at the intersection of Broad Avenue and Fort Lee Road. This rally is held every Sunday from 4-430PM, in the center of Leonia. No further information coudl be found.

Disruption at Union County Chabad: Resistance to Zionist Propaganda

A bold action took place on Wednesday January 8 when a group of activists from American Muslims for Palestine disrupted a speech by Yigal Dilmoni, a member of the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), at a Zionist propaganda event held at the Union County Chabad. The event, titled “October 7—From Tragedy to Triumph,” was advertised as a chance for Dilmoni to share his perspective on his experience as an IDF soldier, father, and “captain” involved in military operations in Gaza. The presentation was framed as an attempt to present a heroic narrative of the IDF’s operations in Gaza, with Dilmoni highlighting supposed humanitarian efforts amid the violence.

However, the activists who disrupted the event challenged Dilmoni’s narrative, calling out the hypocrisy of the IDF’s actions in Gaza. As Dilmoni said that the media refuses to tell people that Arabs shot by the IDF were carrying knifes one disruptor loudly demanded accountability for the violence, shouting, “Did Hind Rajab have a knife when you fired 335 bullets into her ambulance?” Hind Rajab a 5 year old girl who was murdered when an IDF tank fired into the ambulance she and her family were evacuating from. Hind was able to contact the Palestinian Red Crescent on the phone, and her last moments alive; on the phone with the ambulance team are among the most heart breaking things to come out of this genocide. Palestinian prosecutors and others have set up the Hind Rajab Foundation to prosecute IDF war criminals who leave Israel. They have forced genocidaires to flee from Argentina and Sri Lanka to escape imprisonment, and have force the IDF to tell it’s soldiers to stop posting war crimes on the internet.

The disruption was met with physical violence as security personnel in paramilitary attire forcibly removed the protestors. However, the event served as an important reminder of the power of resistance, especially in spaces where Zionist narratives dominate. By confronting the propaganda head-on, activists are challenging the mainstream portrayal of the conflict and providing a counter-narrative that centers Palestinian lives and experiences.

A Final Reflection on the Struggle

While these actions represent a significant and growing movement in support of Palestine, the struggle is far from over. The momentum behind these grassroots efforts continues to build, with the conviction that Palestine will one day be free, from the river to the sea. As the actions of these local activists and organizers show, the fight for justice and freedom for Palestine will persist, no matter the challenges that lie ahead. With every protest, every rally, and every disruption of injustice, the movement for Palestinian liberation gains strength. Victory is inevitable, but it requires perseverance, unity, and unyielding hope. As long as the struggle endures, the dream of a free Palestine remains a living possibility—one step at a time.