Outgoing Hoboken, NJ, Mayor Ravi Bhalla apologized for flying the Palestine flag over City Hall on December 9.
December 9 is a significant date for Jewish people. Why?
The First Intifada started on December 9, 1987.
Bhalla said he flew it “following requests from local residents of Palestinian descent.”
Hhmmm…..did those people of Palestinian descent ask him to fly it on the 9th?
“I want to state unequivocally that this association was not known when the scheduling was approved,” Bhalla wrote on Facebook. “I understand that this coincidence has caused concern for some members of our community. This was not our intention – rather it was simply to recognize local residents who call Hoboken home.”
Diversity!
“I want to be clear that the act of raising this flag is not, in any way, shape or form, intended as a political statement by the City of Hoboken,” claimed Bhalla. “Hoboken is a municipality and takes no position on international political conflicts because it is not within the purview of municipal governance. As with other communities, this flag raising is an acknowledgment of our Palestinian neighbors – mothers, schoolchildren, brothers and sisters in Hoboken – and an affirmation that they, too, are part of our community.”
Bhalla equated raising the Palestinian flag to when City Hall flew the Breast Cancer Awareness flag, the Italian flag, the Puerto Rican flag, and so many more.
“Our City has routinely opened this space to residents who wish to celebrate their heritage, and today was no different,” Bhalla said.
I have a CRAZY idea. Stay with me because it is insane. Like, mind-blowing.
Are you ready?
How about government entities only fly the American flag!?
A Vermont school district had to take down its website after backlash for flying the Somali flag instead of the American flag.
Here’s the full statement on Facebook:
Earlier today, the flag of Palestine was raised outside of Hoboken City Hall, at my direction, following requests from local residents of Palestinian descent, and in keeping with our city’s long-standing practice of recognizing the many cultures and communities that make Hoboken special. This is the same process through which we raise the Italian flag, the Mi’kmaq flag, the Puerto Rican Flag, the Breast Cancer Awareness flag, the Progress PRIDE flag, and many, many others throughout decades and many administrations in Hoboken’s history. Celebrating diversity is a part of Hoboken’s character.
I want to be clear that the act of raising this flag is not, in any way, shape or form, intended as a political statement by the City of Hoboken. Hoboken is a municipality and takes no position on international political conflicts because it is not within the purview of municipal governance. As with other communities, this flag raising is an acknowledgment of our Palestinian neighbors – mothers, schoolchildren, brothers and sisters in Hoboken – and an affirmation that they, too, are part of our community. Our City has routinely opened this space to residents who wish to celebrate their heritage, and today was no different.
However, it has since been brought to my attention that today’s date holds historical significance related to the First Intifada. I want to state unequivocally that this association was not known when the scheduling was approved. I understand that this coincidence has caused concern for some members of our community. This was not our intention – rather it was simply to recognize local residents who call Hoboken home.
Our City’s commitment to inclusivity means that no community should be overlooked or denied the chance to be recognized, because Hoboken’s strength lies in its diversity, and each flag we raise symbolizes the cultural richness of the people who live here. We have raised flags representing Puerto Rico, Ecuador, India, Ukraine, Israel and many others. Extending that same respect to Palestinian residents is consistent with our values as a Fair & Welcoming City and with the principles we apply in every similar situation.
Especially in moments of pain or conflict around the world, it is vital that our residents feel seen and supported. As Mayor of the entire City of Hoboken, my responsibility is to treat all community members equally, without exception. I am proud to lead a city where people of all backgrounds, including Palestinians and those who stand with them, can feel welcomed and valued.
I appreciate the grace, honesty, and dialogue that so many residents have already shown, and I hope we can continue to engage each other in the spirit of recognizing our common humanity, especially during these challenging times.Sincerely,
Ravi S. Bhalla
Mayor
[Featured image via YouTube]
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Comments
“including Palestinians and those who stand with them,”
However no specific mention of those who were the ones affected to whom the historical significance and were “cause of concern to”.
Just saying
Hoboken obviously chock full of terrorist loving retards.
Call me when the Purto Ricans plants ANOTHER bomb
I wonder if Hoboken will fly the Confederate Flag if requested by former southerns.
Confederate Memorial Day remains a State Govt holiday in Alabama and many other States but the day varies by State. Robert E Lee birthday is still a recognized State Govt holiday in Alabama though it is now in conjunction with MLK JR day.
Confederate Memorial Day is a real thing in South Carolina, too.
All these lefty pols constantly let their freak flags fly.
Why is it necessary to “affirm” the haters in our midst? Why?
At one time this would have removed the mayor from office
Palestine is a fictional construct of muslim conquest wars
The very name, “Palestine,” comes from “Syria Palaestina,” a name contrived by the Romans ~600 years before the wretched, supremacist, totalitarian, belligerent, hate-filled and pathology-laden ideology of “Submission” was founded. 20th century and contemporary Arab Muslims — invaders from Arabia, let’s note — have brazenly stolen a name that has nothing to do with Submission or Arabs, and, have successfully exploited it (with ample assistance from stupid/gullible leftists/Dhimmi-crats), in order to grant themselves an alleged historical/geographic legitimacy which is totally contrived and underserved.
You are correct. Unfortunately, they no longer teach World History in Schools like when I attended, so most people are unaware of the truth.
Once upon a time people left the places where they were born to come to America (the United States of) to become Americans and live the American life. Now they seem to come to live off the productivity of actual Americans while establishing outposts for their previous failed, unproductive, s-hole nations of origin.
A lot of us are tiring of this,
I’m among the tired ones.
That was before welfare programs. You had either “means”, or you had a sponsor. Both of my paternal grandparents came over here from Austria. Neither one of them spoke English. I talked to my grandmother about this and she said one of the first things she did after her sponsors took her home was to apply at a settlement house to learn how to speak English. She spoke with an Austrian accent and used occasional German word order till the day she died, but she was a proud American. She was also the only republican in the family.
Now, a great many come to, or are born into, the United States not to assimilate or integrate but to dominate. You know who you are. We see beyond your prayer mats.
This twit is a civil rigjhts attorney so of course it was a political statement.
count me among the p*ssed-off ones as well as well-beyond past tired
Apologies are cheap
When Palestinians ask for something, there is usually an ulterior motive involved.
Flying a flag states to whom your allegiance belongs. Period.
It’s also why you fly the State flag below the US flag. (And other flags below that.)
Man, if only flag regulations would stay still.
Today’s flag code says no high or low anymore. The US flag flies to the right of all other flags, period. Then you only have to remember whose viewpoint determines left and right, which is impossible enough for me as it is.
I don’t want an apology, I want resignations all the way down to dog catcher.
As alluded to elsewhere, there is no such place or country of “Palestine”, nor are there “Palestinians”. They are fictions invented by the KGB.
Sure!
Flying a flag means nothing at all. It’s just cloth.
No wonder the Chairman of the Board never went back to Hoboken. Apparently he knew something the rest of us just found out.