W E D N E S D A Y
February 12, 2025 Vol. 45, No. 32
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JOURNAL @oakpark
New Willard principal
of Oak Park and River Forest
‘A war of erasure’
Abu-Taleb, a Gaza native and Oak Park leader, reacts to Trump’s latest plan By DAN HALEY Staff Reporter
Anan Abu-Taleb, a two-term former Oak Park village president and local restaurant owner, was born in Gaza. He still has family there. Several family members have been killed during the war between Israel and Hamas and the unceasing bombardment of Gaza by Israel. Abu-Taleb has at times over the past 17 months spoken publicly and boldly about the situation there. At other times he has stayed quiet in deference to his children and his businesses. Last week, President Donald Trump suggested during a news conference with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, that the millions of Palestinians still living there should be relocated to other countries while Gaza could be “owned” and rebuilt by the U.S. and turned into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” We asked Abu-Taleb then for his response to Trump and he sat for an hour’s interview on Feb. 7.
TODD BANNOR
Former Village President Anan Abu-Taleb during interview on Feb. 7.
Page 4
Oak Park leaders stand up for progressive values In show of solidarity, range of leaders gather at Unity Temple By LUZANE DRAUGHON Staff Reporter
*** Abu-Taleb wants to avoid giving Trump too much power and says he has listened more to and been “motivated by the statements of many Jewish people around the world” since the conflict began. He is heartened by those who speak up for a Palestinian homeland, for self-definition, for freedom.
In a show of solidarity, leaders from numerous Oak Park organizations – governmental, nonprofit and business related -- gathered at Unity Temple on Monday at 4 p.m. to emphasize their shared commitment to inclusivity. “Our strength lies in our diversity,” Village President Vicki Scaman said in a news release. “We will continue to remain unified in our dedication to our values. It is our collective strength that protects these values and ensures we will always remain a safe community for everyone.”
See GAZA on page 10
See UNITY on page 15
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