New York Lawmakers Propose 25-Foot Protest Ban Outside Houses of Worship After Anti-Israel Riot

New York legislators are moving to ban protests within 25 feet of houses of worship following a recent incident in Manhattan where a crowd of anti-Israel demonstrators targeted a shul, chanting “death to the IDF” and other violent messages.

The proposed legislation, introduced by Assemblyman Micah Lasher (D-Manhattan) and Sen. Sam Sutton (D-Brooklyn), would prohibit demonstrations within 25 feet of the entrance, driveway, or parking area of any religious sanctuary.

Around 200 demonstrators gathered outside Manhattan’s Park East Synagogue, harassing Jews attending a Nefesh B’nefesh event.

Anyone violating the measure could be charged with criminal interference with access to a place of religious worship in the first degree, a Class A misdemeanor carrying a maximum penalty of one year in prison.

“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,” said Lasher, who is running for Congress in the 12th House District, which includes the synagogue.

The historic shul was the scene of a demonstration where hundreds of protesters shouted slogans such as “globalize the intifada,” and a speaker encouraged the “resistance” to “take another settler out.”

“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,” said Sutton, who represents the heavily frum Jewish neighborhoods of Borough Park and Midwood in southern Brooklyn.

The large crowd chanted “From New York to Gaza, globalize the intifada” in rhythm with a drum.

The legislation is co-sponsored by Sen. Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan), whose district includes Park East Synagogue, and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Queens).

The transition team for Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who at first criticized the victims of the riot, said earlier this week that it would support a push for protest bans near houses of worship, after speaking with Rabbi Schnierer’s son, who leads a synagogue in the Hamptons.

The younger Rabbi Schneier told Mamdani he is “out of touch with the greater Muslim world” and challenged his refusal to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state. Mamdani has faced criticism for supporting the BDS movement against Israel and pledging to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu over alleged war crimes in Gaza.

He also praised Mamdani for backing the protest ban legislation.

“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,” Rozic said.

The bill is backed by the UFA Federation of NY.

“The ability to worship freely and without fear is fundamental to who we are as a nation,” said UJA executive director Eric Goldstein. “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.”