War continues to wage in Gaza as Israel continues its ground campaign and tries to rescue hostages one was rescued overnight the latest Israeli strike rocked a refugee camp in Northern Gaza Israeli officials saying the strike killed a senior Hamas Commander as of Monday more than 8,000 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis have been killed in the fighting according to the United Nations the fighting abroad continues to stoke tensions and security concerns in American communities FBI director Christopher Ray told Congress today the war is raising the risk of terrorist attacks against the United States while also feeling a surge in domestic incidents of hate against Jews and Muslims across New Jersey there are ties to both sides of the war and local leaders are struggling to keep their communities United the struggle was on display in t neck Monday night where the mayor and Council held a special meeting to pass a resolution in support of Israeli and Palestinian victims two weeks after passing a resolution condemning Hamas and supporting the Israeli government sparked protest Brenda Flanigan reports two things can be true at the same time councilwoman Denise beler explained Teaneck so-called peace and unity resolution passed unanimously Monday night recognizes grievances on both sides of the Israel Hamas War it also aims to heal deep cultural divisions that have torn this div Township apart angry protesters demonstrated October 17th when the council voted to denounce Hamas and supported Israel's right to defend itself but postponed a vote on this peace and unity measure angering the town's Palestinian and Muslim community members assured residents they know the entire town is hurting I have compassion for the Israeli mother who is praying for the return of her family and I have compassion for the Palestinian mother who's trying to keep her child alive I recognize that there are many residents in the community that don't feel that this Council cares about them this resolution while it may not be perfect to some will hopefully start that healing process the resolution seeks to mend the rift by declaring zero tolerance for terrorism and hate crimes supporting a humanitarian solution to minimize the loss of innocent lives and calling for the safe return of all hostages it also Promises to Keep residents safe in the wake of increased hate crimes but it fails to note the number of lives lost in Gaza and that Drew angry public comments frankly this is disgusting shocking and humiliating you are directly giving a message that Palestinian lives do not matter and as elected officials you are in breach of your duty as elected officials you had one job to do one for all the people of teaneck and you refused to pass both resolutions at the same time several speakers via Zoom described heightened fears and refused to turn on cameras or give their addresses the islamophobia that's beened and I personally have felt it I do not feel safe in T I do not let my daughter off on her own I don't think anybody in EK supports Kamas but nobody is condemning the people yelling free Palestine and perpetuating violence no one is condemning the people being bust in from outside communities last week in Anglewood we saw six people arrested from four different towns that weren't from Anglewood who came to demonstrate and cause violence and destruction in response ten closed its library and parking lot and asked folks to stay home conducting this meeting via Zoom a small group of pro Palestinian protesters did gather outside free free free Palestine we out here on the outside we don't know what's happening you're just here trying to protest against it and whatever they're voting on The Crowd dispersed after about an hour I want to thank everyone who stayed home um I know it felt a little bit like our town was under siege I hope that this will lead to the end of outside um agitators coming into our town and drowning out our voices with their chance but sharp disagreements remain among teaneck residents and I a dumb Zionism I can say that and it always will be a free Palestine and from The River To The Sea let me unequivocally say that my opinion as an individual is that from River to sea is hate speech as we talk about peace and unity genoside has no place under peace several observed it will take more than local resolutions to mend this conflict in teaneck I'm Brenda Flanagan NJ Spotlight news [Music]