Republican State Senators Unveil Antisemitism Report

The New York State Senate Republican Conference Antisemitism Working Group unveiled its Antisemitism report today and sent a letter to Governor Hochul and Legislative Majorities that highlights legislative recommendations that should be a priority to address the rise of antisemitism.

Last year, the members of the New York State Senate Republican Antisemitism Working Group were tasked with developing recommendations to address the rise in antisemitic incidents in New York. Roundtable events involving stakeholders in the community were held, including in Rockland, as reported by Rockland Daily here.

“It's no secret that antisemitism has ramped up in New York State and across this country. Antisemitism was running unchecked before the October 7th massacre and has only increased since then, both on social media and in the real world. I'm grateful to my colleagues and local stakeholders who contributed ideas towards abating this epidemic, resulting in today's report. Let's take this report and the legislation introduced because of it and continually work towards ending antisemitism,” states Senator Weber.

With the Senate and Assembly expected to vote on the New York State Budget, the working group is urging the adoption of five priority legislative initiatives in the enacted state budget.

The legislative initiative recommended by Senator Bill Weber would prohibit students from receiving TAP if engaging in antisemitic behavior.

The legislative initiative recommended by Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, 9th Senate District creates the “Dismantling Student Antisemitism (DSA) Act,”. which implements antisemitism awareness and prevention sensitivity training in colleges with the threat of loss of funding;

The legislative Initiave recommended by  Senator Joseph Griffo, 53rd Senate District, places a definition of antisemitism within the state human rights law and provides that antisemitism that incites, causes, or results in any act of violence or injury to a person or the damage to or destruction of real or personal property shall be deemed to  constitute a hate crime;

The legislative Initiave recommended by Senator Jack Martins, Chair of the Antisemitism Working Group, enacts the “New York State Antisemitism Vandalism Act,” which establishes the crime of vandalism of pro-Israel print and provides a class A misdemeanor for any individual who intentionally destroys damages, removes any banner, poster, flyer or billboard which is located in a public space, where the intent or purpose of such banner, poster, flyer or billboard is to bring awareness for Israeli individuals who have been victims of a crime or to positively support the country or citizens of Israel; and S.8774 (Oberacker): expands the prohibition of harassing conduct involving Nazi symbols.

The New York State Senate Republican Conference is committed to restoring public safety and protecting our Jewish brothers and sisters from hateful acts of violence. None of us should be living in fear. No individual should feel threatened or unsafe. These proposals and dedicated funding are imperative steps we can take to ensure the safety of our communities.

Ramapo Police Department Chief of Police Martin Reilly addressing attendees.