TOMS RIVER, NJ – Toms River Democrat candidate for mayor Ben Giovine is meeting with local Muslim community leaders at a mosque on Lakewood Road on Frida.
Days after the Hamas terrorist attack that killed over a thousand women and children in Israel, Toms River leaders condemned the attack and expressed their support for Israel. In videos released by the Israeli government, women and children were seen slaughtered. Babies had their heads cut off and their bodies burned. Hundreds of partygoers were gunned down by Hamas terrorists in cold blood at an outdoor concert near the border with Gaza.
Toms River leaders condemned Hamas and declared their sympathy with the families of Jews massacred during this attack.
“During these challenging times, our hearts are with our Jewish neighbors and their families,” the township posted on its social media channels. “We stand in solidarity, sending love and prayers for peace and resilience.”
Masjid Bilal fired back at the township saying, “Toms River Muslim community, disagree with Toms River Government Facebook post that supports aggression, destroying homes, killing civilian children and women. Stealing the land from the rightful owners.”
Earlier this week, Giovine traveled to Lakewood for an interview with Jewish online news website Lakewood News Network; here he promised that religious education of the non-Jewish community in Toms River was required to understand the needs of the growing Orthodox community there.
On Friday, Giovine will meet with Muslim leaders at the Masjid Bilal mosque on Lakewood Road at 8 p.m.