Protesters Crash Gov’s Mansion Party, Murphy ‘Reevaluating’ Protocols

NEW JERSEY - A protest opposing Israel’s military offensive in Gaza at a private event hosted by Gov. Phil Murphy has prompted his administration to reevaluate safety protocols.

Two protesters crashed Murphy’s Lunar New Year celebration at his Princeton mansion Monday evening, a spokesperson for the governor told Patch. The protesters called for Murphy to disband the New Jersey-Israel Commission, a decades-long partnership which aims to “foster economic, scientific, educational and cultural ties with the State of Israel, one of New Jersey's most important trading partners,” according to the state’s website.

“We regret the disturbance caused to our guests during what was otherwise a joyful celebration,” Murphy spokesperson Natalie Hamilton told Patch in an email. “In light of yesterday’s incident, we are re-evaluating our event protocols.”

It wasn't immediately clear how long the protesters were at the event or how they managed to enter. Clips from several confrontations were posted to Instagram Tuesday by American Muslims for Palestine.

“Activists confronted First Lady Tammy Murphy, who is campaigning for U.S. Senate this fall and has evaded ceasefire calls for months as Gazan death tolls have skyrocketed,” the group wrote in the caption of the Instagram post.

“Not shown in the video, but Tammy Murphy attempted to grab the phones off of one of the activists who was recording the confrontation … @govmurphy @firstladynewjersey it’s time to take action! You owe it to your constituents.”

“As our governor, you have a responsibility to disband the New Jersey-Israeli Commission immediately,” one protester could be heard saying in the video. “You are funneling genocidal money into our state, and to use my community as a tool for genocide to get diversity points for y’alls campaigns, as Rafah was bombed last night, is insane."

New Jersey was declared a sister state of Israel in 1988 under then-Gov. Thomas H. Kean one year before the commission was established. Since the beginning of data being tracked in 2003, Israeli investment into New Jersey is valued at about $551 million.

Speaking directly to Murphy, one protester asked the governor if he will disband the commission given the Rafah bombings on Sunday, which killed more than 100 people, according to CNN.

“We’re not going to do that,” Murphy said.

The protesters were not arrested and were instead asked to leave, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The Lunar New Year event was touted by Murphy earlier Monday in an X post as the first ever Lunar New Year at his mansion, complete with performances and food.

As governor and first lady, the Murphys are guarded by the State Police Executive Protection Unit. A request for comment from the New Jersey State Police was not immediately returned.

Making history @DrumthwacketNJ as we host our first ever Lunar New Year celebration alongside many wonderful guests and performers.

Here’s to the Year of the Dragon! pic.twitter.com/7G1SGt7JZf
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) February 13, 2024