Loading ...Raising of flag in North Bergen marks growing recognition of Palestinian-American community
BY HANNAN ADELY
North Jersey
When Paterson hoisted the Palestinian flag outside City Hall three years ago, it marked one of the first times that the flag had been raised outside an American municipal building to recognize the Palestinian culture and people.
That is changing. On Friday, North Bergen raised the flag outside its municipal hall, and Clifton will do the same next month. Local leaders say the ceremonies are a nod to the contributions and growing prominence of Palestinian Americans, as well as a reminder of their fight for statehood in the Middle East.
“We have a great deal of respect for our Arab community that serves on our school board, in our housing authority, as teachers and in other prominent roles,” said North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco, who spoke at the flag raising. “We try to make this a town that includes everyone, and I believe this shows we succeeded.”
Besides the mayor, Hudson County Freedholder Anthony Vainieri, Jr. and schools Superintendent George Solter, Jr. attended. They joined local Palestinian community leaders, including members of the New Jersey chapter of American Muslims for Palestine who sponsored the event.
The crowd of about 200 people erupted in cheers as the flag went up and during a performance of a traditional dance called the debka.
Bader Risheg,cq an event organizer, said he hoped that people who see the flag will get to know those of Palestinian heritage and realize that they are just as American as they are.
“People like [Donald] Trump and his cohorts continue to demonize us. They don’t realize we are human beings; we have sons and daughters; we are doctors and teachers and lawyers. We have been here for generations, and we will continue to be here for generations,” said Risheg, a North Bergen teacher who is active in the township Democratic organization.
The upcoming flag raisings take place in Clifton on April 17 and Paterson on May 1.
There are more than 7,000 people of Palestinian ancestry living in New Jersey, according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Nagua Kharoufeh,cq of Cliffside Park, said events like the flag raising let people know that Palestinians are a strong presence in this area and hopefully helped to dispel negative stereotypes in the media.
Municipalities often host flag-raising events to recognize local ethnic groups, but this ceremony carries extra significance and scrutiny because of the difficult path to Palestinian statehood. Palestinians have pushed for sovereignty, but have been paralyzed in negotiations with Israel, which occupies the land of their intended state.
People at the event called for statehood and for justice. “We share the same values America shares. We aspire for the same things: freedom, justice and liberty,” said Sayel Kayed, president of the American Muslims for Palestine New Jersey chapter.
Today, 136 countries recognize the State of Palestine. The United States, Canada and much of Europe does not. The United Nations hoisted the Palestinian flag outside its headquarters alongside other states last September and the Vatican signed a treaty recognizing a Palestinian state last year.
Source: www.northjersey.com