Gottheimer Marks 3rd Anniversary of Oct. 7 on Edan Alexander Way in Tenafly: "Bergen County Had 139 Antisemitic Incidents, Most in New Jersey"

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.-5) held a memorial event on Oct. 7 on Edan Alexander Way in Tenafly to mark the third anniversary of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack, and announced a bipartisan memorial resolution and a bill to limit U.S. funding to the United Nations, among other measures. Citing ADL figures, he said 6,274 antisemitic incidents occurred in the U.S. last year, up 68% from 2022, and that New Jersey ranked third in the nation, with Bergen County recording 139, the most in the state.

Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J., 5th District) held a memorial event on Wednesday, Oct. 7, on Edan Alexander Way in Tenafly to mark the third anniversary of Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Attending were Adi and Yael Alexander, the parents of Tenafly native Edan Alexander, who was held captive in Gaza for 584 days and released in May last year; Tenafly Mayor Mark Zinna; and local rabbis. The street was named in Alexander's honor last year.

Gottheimer said he had introduced a bipartisan resolution marking the third anniversary of Oct. 7 with Reps. Lois Frankel (D-Fla.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Young Kim (R-Calif.). The resolution honors the victims and hostages; supports Israel's right to self-defense, a lasting ceasefire and implementation of the agreement, including Hamas's disarmament and the reconstruction of Gaza; and condemns the spread of antisemitism in U.S. schools and on college campuses. The American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) issued statements of support.

Bill to Limit U.N. Funding, Education Bills Revived

Gottheimer also introduced, with Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), a new bill that would block U.S. payments to the United Nations until the U.N. Security Council designates Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations. He claimed that the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) does not screen out Hamas ties when hiring staff. He also announced he would renew two bills he introduced last year: one to award the Congressional Gold Medal to American victims and hostages of Oct. 7, and another directing the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to develop a standard school curriculum teaching about the Oct. 7 attack and the antisemitism that followed.

He also said he secured $100 million in the National Defense Authorization Act for joint U.S.-Israel programs to counter drone attacks by Iran and its proxies, and that last month the House passed a bill cutting off federal funding to universities that allow the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel on campus. At home, he said he would keep pushing to expand the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which helps synagogues, churches, mosques and temples build their own security.

"Bergen County Had 139, the Most in the State"

Citing ADL figures, Gottheimer said 6,274 antisemitic incidents occurred across the U.S. last year, up 68% from 2022. New Jersey ranked third in the nation by state, and Bergen County, with 139 incidents, had the most of any county in New Jersey. No other county exceeded 80, he said. "Hamas has not disarmed and still holds weapons and power in Gaza," he said. "We will tell the truth about Oct. 7 and stand up to hate."

Also attending were Tenafly Councilmembers Lauren Dayton and Jenny Jackson; Rabbi Kirshner of Temple Emanuel; Rabbi Shmuel Bergman of Fort Lee Young Israel; representatives of Hadassah, the AJC, the ADL and Agudath Israel; and Tenafly Police Chief Michael Greeley. Rep. Young Kim, a Korean American and co-sponsor of the resolution, said, "America must stand firmly with the Jewish people and confront hatred in all its forms."