Gov. Murphy calls for cease-fire in Gaza, while Muslim groups call for a boycott of Murphy

Gov. Phil Murphy called for a cease-fire in Gaza Wednesday, lamenting the tens of thousands killed and scores more at risk of starvation in a statement that one prominent Muslim critic called an “empty gesture of support.”

Murphy noted that the death toll continues to mount during this month of Ramadan, a holy time for Muslims, causing “deep pain and despair” in Palestinian, Arab American, and Muslim communities.

“Today, I am adding my voice in support of the Biden Administration’s efforts to secure an immediate and sustained ceasefire by all parties that includes the release of the remaining hostages being held by Hamas,” Murphy said in a statement. “Such an agreement will allow desperately needed humanitarian aid — food, water, medical supplies, and more — to flow into Gaza, saving potentially thousands of lives.”

The governor also called for the “dismantling” of Hamas and the release of hostages Hamas has held since attacking Israel in October.

“At this pivotal juncture, we must recognize that the current course of conflict is taking too great of a toll,” he said. “A ceasefire by all parties will end immediate hostilities, help pave the way for meaningful stability in the region, and set us on a path to a two-state solution, which will ensure long-term peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and the entire Middle East.”

The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said they welcome any call for a cease-fire and appreciated the governor’s successful effort to bring home some Palestinian Americans from Gaza. But the group’s executive director, Selaedin Maksut, called Murphy’s statement an “empty gesture of support” because it comes “nearly six months and several thousand Palestinian bodies late.”

Israel’s campaign in Gaza has come under intense criticism, with critics accusing it of blocking humanitarian aid even as it bombs bakeries and other food infrastructure. Israel has blamed United Nations officials for delaying aid to the people in Gaza and Hamas for stealing supplies.

More than 32,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza, about two-thirds of them women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry. New Jersey’s Palestinian community has had nearly 3,000 family members killed, according to CAIR-NJ.

“While it is important and necessary to call for a ceasefire, it is no longer enough,” Maksut said. “Governor Murphy must do better to fight for justice for his American-Muslim constituency.”

Maksut also questioned Murphy’s motive, saying several Muslim and Palestinian groups have called for a boycott of the iftar — an evening meal after daily Ramadan fasting — the Murphy administration typically holds annually at Drumthwacket, the governor’s mansion. CAIR-NJ and more than 40 mosques and Muslim groups are participating in the boycott.

“The Governor’s words also deflect from the root cause of violence in Gaza and continues to play a role in the anti-Muslim bigotry we see by shifting blame,” Maksut said. “To call Israel’s war on Gaza a ‘humanitarian crisis’ is to erase history. This is not a natural disaster; it is a genocide with a government to hold accountable.”