A few months ago, the Paterson New Jersey council voted to approve renaming a portion of Main Street ‘Palestine Way.’
Yesterday, the renaming was implemented, yesterday being what they commemorate as “Nakba day”, to lament the establishment of the state of Israel.
But we already knew they are all about the timing: they passed the vote the very same week Jews were being butchered on the streets of Israel by palestinian Arab terrorists.
The South Paterson neighborhood is home to stores, restaurants and offices with Palestinian flags and images of Jerusalem hanging on walls. Everywhere, signs of the Palestinian homeland are emblazoned on property names, from Jerusalem Pharmacy to Nablus Sweets to Palestine Hair Salon.
Now, visitors to the area will also find street signs. On Sunday, city officials celebrated the renaming of a five-block section of Main Street, from Gould Avenue to Buffalo Avenue, to Palestine Way.
“Many Palestinians call Paterson home, and this is the day we get to celebrate it,” said Councilman Alaa “Al” Abdelaziz.
The City Council voted unanimously in April for the street renaming to honor the city’s large Palestinian community and its contributions to civic life and business. A bustling street festival, organized by the Palestinian American Community Center, was held along Main Street to celebrate the occasion.
Vendors set up booths selling roasted corn, dresses, bags and more. T-shirts emblazoned with “Palestine Way” were available. Red, white, black and green Palestinian flags were passed out to attendees and draped from buildings and tents.
“I wish we had something like this every year,” said Lina Ramadan, who was visiting from Jordan and hadn’t been to Paterson in 22 years. She used to live in Union City.
“I feel like I’m in my country,” she said. “Everyone is so happy. It’s very special.”
The event paid homage to generations of Palestinian families who have established roots in the area, organizers said. The City Council has renamed portions of local streets for other groups in the past, including Jamaicans and Colombians.
Among those invited to speak at the celebration were Maritza Davila, the council president, and Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh.
“Palestinians are proud Americans,” said Sayegh. “Palestinians are productive Americans. Palestinians are making countless contributions to our communities every day in the United States of America.”
Abdelaziz took the stage to raucous applause, saying, “If you’re Palestinian, chances are, you started in South Paterson. So, Palestine Way is long overdue … Paterson is a greater city because Palestinians call it home.”
Chants of “Free Palestine” and “Palestine Way” accompanied the unveiling of the street sign.
Community members say the signs display pride but also send a message of existence and defiance. In their ancestral homeland, Israel restricts the public display of Palestinian flags.
Note that last line of the report – the reporter casually refers to Israel as the palestinian Arabs’ ancestral homeland. Then again, the reporter’s name is Hannan Adely.
Meanwhile, also on hand was one of their favorite, homegrown antisemites:
“Palestine Way in every city and town in America Inshallah!” If that doesn’t send chills down your spine, nothing will.
