New York approves buffer zones around houses of worship in response to synagogue protests
Caroline MolloyNew York has enacted a law that establishes a 50-foot buffer zone around houses of worship and criminalizes blocking entrance to the buildings, a move that follows several protests outside synagogues that turned heated.
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the law May 26, additionally criminalizing actions that are threatening to the safety of worshipers and permitting police to establish buffer zone perimeters to indicate where protests are forbidden, AP News reported.
In a statement, Hochul said, “Every New Yorker should be able to enter their house of worship and practice their religion without fear.”
According to AP News, protestors have been holding real estate events outside synagogues in order to promote emigration to Israel and the West Bank. Some Jewish leaders consider the demonstrations antisemitic, while pro-Palestine say they are “part of a yearslong campaign to drive Arabs out of Israel and the land it controls,” the outlet reported.
Regardless of motive, some protests have turned into unfriendly debates and confrontations between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine groups, with one demonstration including pro-Hamas comments.
