Politicians Respond To Shocking Antisemitic Speech At Islamic Center

By Idy Perl

On Friday, August 9th, a guest imam at the Islamic Center of Rockland County delivered a disturbing sermon that was live streamed on YouTube. During the speech he praised Hamas and asked Allah to guide them in their fighting, and called for the killing of all Zionist Jews.

Several Rockland politicians have since condemned this hateful sermon and made it clear that such rhetoric has no place in Rockland County.

"I am deeply disturbed by the violent, antisemitic remarks espoused by a speaker at the Islamic Center of Rockland,” Congressman Mike Lawler said in a statement. “…. The speaker praised Hamas, called for Allah to ‘guide their (Hamas’) shooting’, prayed for Allah to ‘destroy the Zionist Jews’, and advocated for the liberation of the ‘Al-Aqsa Mosque from the plundering Jews’. That is totally unacceptable anywhere, but especially so in Rockland County… I will continue to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters, and those of all faiths, in Rockland County and across the Hudson Valley in condemning hate and in unifying against antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other bigotry.”

“Even the First Amendment right to free speech has its limits,” Senator Bill Weber said in his statement. “As a member of the New York State Senate Antisemitism Working Group, I call for accountability and consequences for anyone who would speak in such an intolerable manner within my district, just like I called for the same during the antisemitic protests that endangered Jewish students on university campuses this past spring."

“As a proud member of the Community Relations Council of Rockland's Jewish Federation I was appalled to see the video of an imam at the Islamic Center of Rockland preaching hateful and violent rhetoric,” Senate candidate Elijah Reichlin-Melnick said on Twitter. “Every Jew in Rockland County deserves to feel safe in their community, and as your Senator, I will be committed, as I always have been, to working with all communities and law enforcement to ensure that everyone can walk down our streets and live in Rockland without fear.”

The Jewish Federation and Foundation of Rockland County, in coordination with the Rockland Board of Rabbis and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), posted a statement on the incident as well. CEO of the Jewish Federation, Ari Rosenblum, expressed how “It is especially painful to hear such words from a mosque that has often been a partner to local synagogues. The last 10 months have carried the weight of tragedy for all. There is room for critical and constructive conversations between the Jewish and Muslim communities. But there is no room for hateful, violent speech like this. It is more than alarming; it is threatening to the overwhelming majority of our community who identify with the self determination of the Jewish people in our ancestral homeland.”

The Chair of the Rockland Board of Rabbis, Rabbi Ariel Russo, said “I am deeply saddened to learn of this harmful rhetoric. I hope a resolution leads to productive dialogue and a repair in the relationship.”

Scott Richman, Regional Director, ADL, added that "The Jewish people have learned by terrible example that rhetoric calling for the destruction of Jews— based on dangerous disinformation — not only fuels hatred and divides neighbors, but can lead to harmful real-world consequences.”

 Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann reassured Jewish residents that law enforcement have reviewed the footage and had confirmed that there are no credible threats against the safety of local Jews. Nevertheless, police patrols will be increased near houses of worship and other significant locations.

Yesterday, the Islamic Center of Rockland issued their own statement about the incident.

“On August 9, during a sermon at our masjid, a guest imam (prayer leader) delivered several hurtful statements that included a prayer to God for the destruction of Zionist Jews as part of the conflict in Gaza. We unequivocally condemn these statements. The Islamic Center of Rockland stands firmly against anti-Semitism and any rhetoric that incites violence or hatred, as we have for the 35 years we have operated in this county alongside other faiths. Our faith teaches us the values of peace, compassion, and justice. We remain committed to fostering a community built on these principles, where dialogue and understanding can pave the way toward a better future for all. We sincerely apologize for any pain caused by these remarks and will ensure that our platform is not used to promote these types of harmful messages going forward.”