Democratic nominee for Governor Phil Murphy chided residents of Mahwah for creating an “Overarching perception of anti-Semitism and discrimination” in its rejection of an eruv, he wrote in a pointed op-ed published in the Jewish Standard on Thursday.
“The heated rhetoric during recent public meetings points to a disturbing undercurrent of stereotyping and unsubtle innuendo,” Murphy wrote.
In his op-ed, Murphy condemned the treatment of outsiders – many of whom are Jewish – who speak at town meetings in the eruv’s defense, and are often subject to heckling by residents.
Murphy’s piece drew sharp criticism from Robert Hermansen, the Mahwah council president and a former Republican freeholder.