NJ prosecutors targeted me for defending a victim – Latest News
Excerpts from Monday’s testimony to President Donald Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission by Moshe Glick — a dentist, father of three and grandfather of 4 — on his arrest and prosecution for defending a victim of antisemitic protesters at a New Jersey synagogue.
You can’t actually call your self a civil rights activist till you’ve felt the cold metal of handcuffs close round your wrists, stood defiantly for the mugshot and been fingerprinted like a common prison.
My “crime”? Defending a 64-year-old man from a violent assault during an unauthorized protest that blocked and intimidated worshippers at Congregation Ohr Torah in West Orange, NJ, on Nov. 13, 2024.
Pro-Hamas agitators disrupted a peaceable Jewish-Christian gathering praying for peace in Israel, the secure return of the hostages from Gaza, reciting psalms and biblical verses and exploring buying a home in Israel.
One protester, Altaf Sharif, ignored police orders, charged previous officers, seized an particular person, who turned out to be 64-year-old David Silberberg, in a life-threatening chokehold, body-slammed him to the ground — all captured on video — then offered false verbal and written statements to the police.
Sharif confronted no fees. The police didn’t even examine.
When my legal professional pressed the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office in New Jersey, the response was chilling: “No one else was investigated because no one else committed a crime — only your client.”
This is the hallmark of a weaponized justice system: one which buries proof to serve an agenda.
In stark distinction, I — the one who stepped in to stop a brutal assault — was the one one arrested.
I repeatedly pleaded for the police to help; however they did nothing.
As a physician and volunteer EMT, I acknowledged late indicators of a constricted airway — [Silberberg’s] legs buckling, a important indicator of impending loss consciousness.
Only then, after all different makes an attempt failed, did I exploit the small six-inch flashlight I used to be carrying (to light up the darkish space that night time) to intervene and free him by aiming to faucet Sharif on the back.
Rogue native prosecutors selectively targeted me — the Jewish occasion organizer — whereas letting the video-recorded aggressor stroll free.
I confronted 4 felony fees — together with second-degree bias intimidation, third-degree aggravated assault and two weapons offenses associated to the flashlight.
A law-abiding citizen — volunteer EMT, nonprofit co-founder and philanthropist with zero prison document — abruptly stared into an abyss: years in jail, the potential loss of my dental license and separation from my spouse, youngsters and grandchildren.
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My religion in America’s justice system was totally shattered.
I rejected a diversionary program, Pretrial Intervention, as a result of that might imply a tacit admission that I had accomplished one thing fallacious for defending an particular person from a vicious assault.
I fought — for fact, for justice, for the precept that defending others from hatred must not ever be criminalized.
This battle got here at a great value financially, mentally and spiritually, and had a heavy affect on my household. We all paid a large price.
On his closing day in workplace, Jan. 20, 2026, NJ Gov. Phil Murphy granted me a full pardon. I used to be by no means convicted. I’m profoundly grateful.
Yet if the Essex County prosecutor can weaponize the federal government in opposition to trustworthy, hard-working residents like me — shielding aggressors whereas concentrating on defenders — we’re all in peril.
I subsequently ask Attorney General Pam Bondi, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon and the heroes working on the Department of Justice to analyze this matter totally.
If police and prosecutors protect aggressors and criminalize defenders in these circumstances, what’s going to occur to communities of religion throughout this nation?
Jews have long been the canary within the coal mine. Whenever antisemitism rises it’s a signal that democratic values, non secular tolerance and civil liberties are in decline.
History’s warning rings clear throughout the centuries: Societies that fail to guard their Jews — or worse, flip in opposition to them — usually hasten their own decline.
When antisemitism turns into coverage or norm, it alerts deeper erosion of democratic values, tolerance and liberty.
Societies that oppress the Jewish people sow the seeds of their own erosion.
History’s timeless warning: Defend the susceptible, or risk becoming a member of the shadows of fallen empires.
America’s extraordinary success flows from its historic embrace of Judeo-Christian values and fierce safety of non secular freedom for all who search to worship God.
True patriots should stand united now to defend non secular freedom for each American and each religion group — the sacred, God-given proper to wish and worship with out concern or favor.
We stand at a pivotal second in historical past, one which calls us to rise collectively.
By addressing Jew-hatred, anti-religious extremism and all forces attacking those that worship God, we are able to safeguard the values that outline our republic and secure a stronger, more united future for all Americans.
