Westfield, NJ — A public apology was issued today by town officials in Westfield, New Jersey following the removal of flyers commemorating kidnapping victims by Hamas.
The flyers, posted on East Broad Street, were mistakenly taken down by the Forestry Division of Public Works in their routine maintenance, an act that has since been recognized as an oversight.
The flyers were intended to honor the memory of individuals taken by Hamas, an organization designated as a terrorist group by multiple countries, including the United States and the European Union. This incident occurred against the backdrop of the community’s remembrance activities following the events of October 7.
The removal of these signs deeply affected the local Jewish community, exacerbating the distress related to the kidnapping. Town officials acted swiftly upon discovering the error, with the Town Administrator ordering the Department of Public Works to recover the flyers. Unfortunately, they had been disposed of and could not be retrieved in time.
A community member returned the signs to Town Hall. These will be cleaned and displayed again after consultation with representatives from Temple Emanu-El.
Westfield officials reassured its dedication to the community’s safety and well-being, particularly in these challenging times. Officials also recognized the dedication of Public Works employees who tirelessly maintain the town’s infrastructure throughout the year.