In her annual State of the State speech on Tuesday in Albany, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul called out antisemitism and announced that she is proposing a new law to ban demonstrations within 25 feet of a house of worship.
The buffer zones will start at the property line of synagogues, churches, mosques and temples, “so those who simply want to pray can do so without fear or harassment,” she said.
“In 2026, we’ll take new steps to protect our houses of worship against the rising tide of antisemitism and Islamophobia,” she said. “New York has already invested $131 million to better secure these sacred places, but clearly, more must be done.”
The prior week, the governor noted, “protestors led pro-Hamas chants outside a synagogue in Kew Gardens Hills.”
“That’s not free expression. That’s harassment,” she said. “Targeting a Jewish community in this way is antisemitism.”
Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, told JNS that the announced buffer zones are an “urgent and necessary response to the intimidation and threats we witnessed at Park East Synagogue and in Kew Gardens Hills.”
Anti-Israel demonstrators protested outside the Upper East Side congregation on Nov. 19 and the one outside the Queens synagogue on Jan. 8.
“As antisemitism continues to surge across New York, these incidents make painfully clear that when demonstrations target people at the doors of their religious institutions, they cross a red line into serious and immediate public-safety threats,” Treyger said.
“No one should ever have to fear for their life entering or leaving their house of worship,” he added. “We are standing up for the safety of our neighbors and for our ironclad values as New Yorkers and as Americans.”
‘Keeping synagogues safe and protest-free’
Hochul addressed a wide array of initiatives, including universal childcare starting with free services for 2-year-olds—something that Zohran Mamdani, the New York City mayor, has pledged to do.
Several Jewish groups said that they appreciated her announced effort to fight antisemitism.
Agudath Israel of America, which represents the interests of Orthodox Jews, welcomed Hochul’s backing. That “will be most helpful to our growing families,” Agudah stated.
The group also forcefully addressed the buffer zone initiative. “Our shuls cannot be allowed to devolve into political flashpoints for opportunistic antisemites,” Agudah said.
The Anti-Defamation League stated that “in this moment of unacceptable levels of antisemitism,” it thanks Hochul for committing to “protect access to houses of worship.”
“We look forward to working with the governor, lawmakers and community leaders to advance safe worship zone laws and other policies to ensure that all New Yorkers are free to enter their houses of worship without fear for their safety,” the ADL said.
The Jewish Community Council of Williamsburg stated that “as we sit here, we’re happy to hear Gov. Hochul’s commitment to keeping our synagogues safe and protest-free.”
“Thank you, governor, for standing with our community and protecting our right to worship,” the group said.
Julie Menin, speaker of the New York City Council, stated that Hochul’s remarks “laid out a clear agenda to address the challenges New Yorkers face every day: the crushing cost of childcare, limited affordable housing options, rising utility bills, and the need for safety and accountability.”
“The council looks forward to working with the governor and our leaders in Albany on implementing universal childcare in the five boroughs, lowering costs for New Yorkers, and strongly combating the rising tide of antisemitism and hate,” said Menin, the first Jewish speaker of the council.
