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\n May 12, 2026
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\n )<\/p>\n
An anti-Israel protest is expected on Tuesday night outside Young Israel of Jamaica Estates in Queens, one day after four people were arrested during a similar protest outside a Brooklyn synagogue, according<\/a> to David Weprin, a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly.<\/p>\n Weprin, whose 24th Assembly District includes the synagogue, said he has been in contact with the New York City Police Department\u2019s 107th Precinct, which he said will deploy officers \u201cto keep the community safe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am deeply disturbed by this action that comes off the heels of multiple incidents of antisemitic vandalism and intimidation in Queens and throughout New York,\u201d Weprin stated. \u201cWe cannot tolerate hate of any kind, and I strongly denounce any action targeting a house of worship. Jewish New Yorkers deserve to feel safe at home, at prayer, and in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n It was not immediately clear which group organized the planned protest. Jewish organizations and community groups, meanwhile, scheduled a counter-rally for Tuesday evening to \u201cprotect Young Israel of Jamaica Estates\u201d during a planned \u201cGreat Israeli Real Estate Event.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe will stand together proudly, peacefully and unapologetically in support of our community, our values and our right to worship safely,\u201d a flyer for the counter-rally states<\/a>.<\/p>\n Deborah Lipstadt, former U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, told JNS that \u201cviolence escalates\u201d at such demonstrations.<\/p>\n \u201cIt starts with words, then moves to shoving, then to punching and so on,\u201d she said. \u201cThose who engage in acts of violence must be stopped early on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat seems to have happened both at Park East Synagogue and in Queens proves that the bill the mayor vetoed was more than necessary,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani last month allowed a bill requiring the NYPD to develop security-perimeter plans for houses of worship to become law, after it passed the City Council with a veto-proof majority. However, he vetoed a separate bill covering schools and educational institutions, citing First Amendment concerns and arguing the measure was too broad.<\/p>\n Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, called on public officials to \u201creject the dangerous effort by some bad actors to target, isolate or intimidate Jewish institutions and communities for living our identity openly and proudly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThese disturbing incidents further reinforce the importance of clear and transparent safe-access policies championed by leaders such as Gov. Kathy Hochul and Speaker Julie Menin so that no New Yorker ever has to calculate personal risk before entering or leaving a house of worship,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The City Council is reportedly expected to consider an override vote on the vetoed schools measure on Thursday.<\/p>\n