Erie County Legislator Chris Greene introduced a resolution at Thursday’s session of the Erie County Legislature supporting Israel in that country’s battle against the terrorist organization Hamas. The resolution, which also calls for heightened security here at home, passed unanimously.
“I, like so many others, woke up the morning of October 7th to learn about atrocities being committed against innocent civilians in Israel. The stories and images are heart-wrenching. The perpetrators of these terrible acts were terrorists with no interest in finding common ground or solutions. Their purpose, as stated in the Hamas charter, is the complete eradication of all Jews. As such, every man, woman and child are viewed as legitimate targets of their hate-filled wrath. We need to stand united against terror,” said Erie County Legislator Chris Greene.
The resolution also took issue with a rally in New York City the following day where protestors cheered the actions of Hamas, stomped on Israeli flags and flashed swastikas on their phones. “We cannot allow history to repeat itself,” said Legislator Greene.
According to the American Defamation League, antisemitic incidents surged to historic levels in 2022, up 36 percent from what had been a record-setting 2021. The ADL says antisemitic activity reported on college and university campuses increased by 41 percent in 2022. Meanwhile, there were 589 incidents targeting Jewish institutions such as synagogues, Jewish community centers and Jewish schools. Reports of assaults, harassment and vandalism were also up significantly.
“I respect the right to free speech, but promoting such hate on our own shores is extremely troubling. We need to remain vigilant as tensions escalate,” said Legislator Greene.
The resolution states that the Erie County Legislature stands with all innocent victims of the terrorist organization Hamas and calls on the Erie County Sheriff’s Office to provide heightened security at events in Erie County, particularly protests like the one in New York City on October 8th.
“These events have struck fear, outrage, and sadness into the hearts of many. We need to continue to work to find common ground so that peace has a chance,” said Legislator Greene.