Prominent Jewish community advocacy organizations say they “unequivocally reject” calls to boycott businesses in Newton, near where a Massachusetts veteran allegedly shot an anti-Israel protester who tackled him to the ground at a rally last week.

The Anti-Defamation League of New England, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston and the American Jewish Committee of New England released a joint statement Tuesday, condemning groups making the calls to boycott.

Calls have mounted after Caleb Gannon, 31, of Newton, charged at and tackled pro-Israel demonstrator Scott Hayes, 47, of Framingham, to the ground at a rally in Newtonville last Thursday evening.

While Hayes was wrestling with Gannon on the ground, his gun went off, according to a GoFundMe that has raised more than $250,000 for the Iraq War veteran’s defense fund.

A coalition of five Jewish organizations took exception to how Newton Police immediately arrested Hayes on charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and violation of a constitutional right causing injury – a charge dropped before Hayes’ arraignment Friday.

Gannon was charged with assault and battery on a criminal complaint within 24 hours after the incident which Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan described as a “scuffle.”

“An assault and battery that does not occur in the presence of a police officer is not an arrestable offense,” the DA said in a release Friday.

But several Jewish organizations including Americans Against Anti-Semitism, Jews Exiting the Democrat Party, Betar USA, Magen Herut Canada and Shields of David launched a push to boycott businesses in Newton and elsewhere in Middlesex County.

The coalition is also “advocating a travel warning” to the area.

In response, the ADL of New England, the JCRC of Greater Boston and the AJC of New England, said in a joint statement that the “call to action” is being “raised by a group or groups with no apparent relationship to Newton.”

“We unequivocally reject this tactic, which seeks to place ‘blame’ or ‘consequences’ on local businesses that are not responsible for either the incident or its prosecution,” the statement reads. “Moreover, use of this tactic implicitly suggests that our criminal justice system is not capable of delivering justice through its time-honored processes.”

“We instead call on the community to join us in re-establishing dialogue and conversation,” it continues, “remembering the hostages still held in Gaza, and calling for an end to senseless violence.”

Hayes pleaded not guilty to the assault and battery with a dangerous weapon charge during his arraignment at Newton District Court. Judge Jennifer Queally set a $5,000 cash bail which he met.

Conditions for Hayes’ release are that he wears a GPS monitoring device, does not have any weapons, stays away from the victim and the City of Newton, and is confined to his home during the hours of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily.

His license to carry has also been suspended.

“When a decorated Iraq War veteran and an American citizen is prosecuted for defending himself against an individual who attacked him and openly supports a terrorist organization, it sends a chilling message: Middlesex County is not a safe place for anyone who values liberty, justice, and security,” Betar USA Executive Director Michael Sinensky said in a statement Tuesday.

The Muslim Justice League postponed a “Vigil for Palestine” at the Boston Public Garden Tuesday that would have included awareness around Gannon, whom the organization described as “a lifelong Newton resident and a Jew committed to Palestinian liberation.”

Newton state Sen. Cindy Cream and Mayor Ruthanne Fuller have denounced the calls to boycott city businesses.

“Boycotts will not mend division,” Cream said. “Punishing local Newton businesses for events they were not involved with is not the solution. I hope you will continue to support our local businesses as I plan to.”

Fuller added, “The small businesses in Newton are not an appropriate target for those concerned with the charges filed in connection with this incident, nor do they deserve to be harmed.”

Originally Published: September 17, 2024 at 8:18 p.m.