Menin, who is Jewish, had originally called for secure buffer zones of up to 100 feet outside of houses of worship. But Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch raised concerns that the bill would restrict the police\u2019s ability to determine the size of the necessary buffer zones. Others raised free speech concerns and said a buffer zone law would only serve to intimidate those fighting for Palestinian human rights.<\/p>\n
The bill was originally conceived after protesters gathered outside the Park East Synagogue in New York on Nov. 19, as it hosted an event promoting immigration to Israel. During the protest outside the Orthodox synagogue, some shouted \u201cdeath to the IDF,\u201d \u201cglobalize the intifada\u201d and \u201cWe don\u2019t want no Zionists here.\u201d The protest was led by PAL-Awda, a Palestinian rights coalition.<\/p>\n
RELATED: Pro-Israel synagogue events prompt fiery protests<\/a><\/p>\n Park East Synagogue in New York. (Photo by Ajay Suresh\/Wikimedia\/Creative Commons)<\/p>\n The protests were intimidating for those wanting to access the event \u2014 which was sponsored by Nefesh B\u2019Nefesh<\/a>, an organization that promotes Jewish immigration to Israel and to dozens of settlements in the occupied West Bank.<\/p>\n Zohran Mamdani, then mayor-elect, condemned the protesters\u2019 rhetoric but also said \u201csacred spaces\u201d should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law, rattling many Jews who fear he will not protect those who champion Israel.<\/p>\n Now as mayor, Mamdani cannot veto the measure because it passed by a veto-proof margin. It\u2019s not clear if he will sign it.<\/p>\n Mamdani could, however, choose to veto another measure that would direct the NYPD to devise a protest response plan to protect access to schools, including universities. That bill passed 30-19.<\/p>\n The New York Jewish Agenda<\/a>, a mainstream Jewish organization, supported the measure. Nancy Kaufman, its chair and interim executive director, described it as an \u201cimportant step toward protecting people of all religious backgrounds while safeguarding free expression\u201d and said she hoped Mamdani would sign the bill. The UJA-Federation of New York<\/a> and the Jewish Community Relations Council-New York<\/a> also celebrated the bill\u2019s passage.<\/p>\n For Menin, it is a victory of sorts. She has positioned herself as a political foil to Mamdani\u2019s strong anti-Zionist, pro-Palestinian views. She often touts her family history as the daughter and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors who escaped Hungary and has established strong support for New York\u2019s Jewish community, which is wary of Mamdani.\u00a0<\/p>\n Before the vote Thursday, Menin said that \u201can increase in hateful acts across the city is absolutely abhorrent, and we had to do something about it.\u201d She was expected to celebrate the bill\u2019s passage with Jewish leaders on Friday at Park East Synagogue.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/webRNS-Park-East-Synagogue-NYC-20251125-337x369.jpg\")
<\/p>\n