JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Northeast Florida’s Jewish community is criticizing Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan for posting about an event with a Palestinian organization on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Deegan posted photos on social media from the event, which took place over the weekend, on Tuesday.
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The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida released the following statement about the post:
“The Jewish Federation & Foundation of Northeast Florida is deeply saddened and disheartened by a social media post shared yesterday, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, by Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan on X (formerly Twitter). posting a photo of herself with a keffiyeh and Palestinian flag.
“While we believe our Mayor should speak to and engage with every community, posting a photo of herself with a keffiyeh and Palestinian flag on Holocaust Remembrance Day was insensitive and tone deaf. This day is a solemn, non-political moment dedicated to honoring the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust and standing against antisemitism. This incident is yet another example of the disregard toward the concerns and sensitivities of the Jewish community. Once again, her insensitivity to her Jewish constituents must be called out.
“Mayor Deegan often says that ‘Jacksonville is a place where everyone has a voice.’ We agree. However, the timing and symbolism of this post were deeply disappointing and caused significant pain within the Jewish community.”
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The City released the following statement:
“Mayor Deegan has consistently demonstrated her commitment to standing with the Jewish community, and against bigotry and hatred in our city.
“That is why she became the first Jacksonville mayor to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month with a ceremony in the City Hall Atrium; why she spoke at the 1-year remembrance of October 7th at the Jacksonville Jewish Center; why she has repeatedly called for all elected officials to speak out against rising antisemitism in Florida; why she was the first local leader to denounce hateful messaging projected onto Everbank Stadium; why she appeared as the keynote speaker at the Jewish Federation’s screening of “A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting”; and why she will continue her commitment to make our city a place where all its residents feel safe and heard.”
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