Local officials are slamming comments made in a sermon earlier this month by a guest imam at the Islamic Center of Rockland in Valley Cottage. In a video posted online, the imam reportedly asked Allah to “grant victory to our brothers in Gaza and in Palestine, guide their shooting, destroy the Zionist Jews, seize them with a crushing grip, and make their plots backfire on them.” In a statement, Rockland Congressman Mike Lawler of the Hudson Valley’s 17th District said he was “deeply disturbed” by the remarks and urged the Islamic Center of Rockland to speak out against the rhetoric. Clarkstown supervisor George Hoehmann said the “extreme and hateful rhetoric is unacceptable and has no place here in Clarkstown.” He added while there have been no known or credible threats, the Clarkstown Police Department has stepped up patrols around all houses of worship and culturally significant locations. In a statement posted on their website Sunday night, the Center said they “unequivocally condemn” the statements made by the imam, and they “stand against anti-Semitism and any rhetoric that incites violence or hatred.” They apologized for any pain the remarks caused, and will ensure their platform is not used to promote harmful messages going forward.