Some may say this isn’t really a local issue, but because Hoboken police resources are used to keep people safe, it has become one.
The only thing we should not tolerate is intolerance and this applies to race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, shape and d. The reason the separation of church and state is so important is because religious laws are USUALLY antiquated compared to current government laws. Simply: morals evolve.
To be specific and to answer the question posed by a constituent: I sympathize with all the victims of the Israeli/Gazan war, both Israeli and Palestinian, but I also believe that Israel only has terrible options. I believe that Israel is a much more tolerant government to it’s people than any other Middle Eastern country ESPECIALLY in regards to gender and sexual orientation.
Finally, the specific question: Should we allow an anti-Israel protest at a children’s event celebrating Israeli independence day? Absolutely not! The Israeli independence day event needed to get permission from the Hoboken board of education. To protest, the anti-Israeli groups would have needed the same permissions (which they did not have). Time, Place & Manner restrictions cover this. Those protesters should have been dispersed, removed and offered their own time & place to hold their own anti-Israel rally. This is how free speech works.