The LD16 Democratic team of Senator Andrew Zwicker, Assemblyman Roy Freiman, and Assembly Candidate Mitchelle Drulis released the following statement:

“Over the last week and half, we have stood side by side with our neighbors across New Jersey in solidarity and unity, but with shattered hearts after the terrorist attack on civilians in Israel.  Since then, as the conflict has expanded and the number of civilian deaths in Gaza has risen, our hearts have broken and we fear that the conflict is only going to get worse.

“Here at home, our neighbors are hurting. Reports of rising anti-semitism and Islamophobia are everywhere. We cannot, and will not, tolerate anyone adding to that hurt. We stand united with all of our neighbors and their families as we work towards peace. We must never allow hate to find a home in New Jersey.  The simplest, surest thing each of us must do is speak up and fight against any instance of Islamophobia, anti-semitism, extremism, and hatred in any form in the wake of these international tragedies.”