Exclusive | NY pols pitch outlawing protests near houses of worship— after hateful anti-Israel mob descended on synagogue
New York lawmakers are pushing a bill that would prohibit any protest from happening within 25 feet of a place of worship. The proposal follows a disturbing demonstration outside a Manhattan synagogue, where a crowd of anti‑Israel protesters shouted “death to the IDF.”
The measure was drafted by Assemblyman Micah Lasher, a Democrat from Manhattan, and Senator Sam Sutton, a Democrat representing Brooklyn. It bars any demonstration from coming within 25 feet of a sanctuary’s entrance, driveway, or parking lot.
Those who violate the rule could face a Class A misdemeanor for criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship, a penalty that can bring up to a year of jail time. The same 25‑foot buffer would also apply to abortion clinics, with a similar charge for criminal interference with health‑care services.
Lasher, who is running for Congress in the 12th House District that includes the synagogue, said, “New York must always be a place where people can both exercise free speech and express their religious identity without fear or intimidation, and that balance broke down outside Park East Synagogue.”
The historic Jewish temple on the Upper East Side saw hundreds of protestors chant hateful slogans such as “globalize the intifada” and rally for “the resistance” to “take another settler out.”
Sutton, who represents heavily Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods in Brooklyn, added, “This bill will help our city government and other localities across the state ensure that New Yorkers are able to enter houses of worship without having to run a gauntlet of hate speech. Simple decency and mutual respect demands nothing less.”
The bill is co‑sponsored by Senator Liz Krueger, also from Manhattan, and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic of Queens. Rozic said, “Houses of worship should serve as peaceful sanctuaries, not punching bags for protestors. Every New Yorker, no matter their faith, deserves to worship and gather in peace. I’m grateful to Assemblymember Lasher for carrying this legislation, and I’m proud to stand with him in support of it.”
Support extends to the UFA Federation of New York. UJA executive director Eric Goldstein said, “The ability to worship freely and without fear is fundamental to who we are as a nation. No one should ever face intimidation or see their synagogue – or any house of worship – targeted by protests meant to disrupt or instill fear. We are deeply grateful to Senator Sutton and Assembly Member Lasher for their leadership and commitment to protecting all those who come together in sacred communal spaces.”
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