Protecting Synagogues Like Abortion Clinics

Anti-Israel protestors converged on a synagogue in Queens, NY, to protest an event promoting buying property in Israel. The scores of agitators were consumed “with rage,” looking for a fight against Jews whom they considered stealing “Palestinian land,” and abetting a “genocide” against Palestinian Arabs.

Not surprisingly, the mob – many with faces covered – came for a fight shouting “Free Palestine!”, “We don’t want no Zionists here!” and “We don’t want two states; we want ’48” (meaning all of the land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea). In response, the Jews waved American and Israeli flags and chanted “USA! USA!,” “Am Yisrael Chai (the nation of Israel lives)”, “F*ck Hamas” and “Donald Trump!”

Rep. Grace Meng whose district includes the synagogue noted that people had a right to protest but that “harassing people outside of their house of worship is unacceptable.” She alerted the police to keep peace between the protestors but the event was disrupted by the incident.

Similar incidents have occurred in Los Angeles, CA and Teaneck, NJ. More are likely unless preventative action is taken and perpetrators face consequences.

The Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE), made it an offense to use intimidation or physical force – such as forming a blockade – in order to prevent a person from entering a facility which provides abortions and reproductive healthcare. That 1994 law also provides protection for people using a house of worship, specifically prohibiting:

“by force or threat of force or by physical obstruction, intentionally injures, intimidates or interferes with or attempts to injure, intimidate or interfere with any person lawfully exercising or seeking to exercise the First Amendment right of religious freedom at a place of religious worship; or
intentionally damages or destroys the property of a facility, or attempts to do so, because such facility provides reproductive health services, or intentionally damages or destroys the property of a place of religious worship“

Many states have added to the national law. Some have created new agencies like New York State’s Hate and Bias Prevention Unit which focuses on education about biases, early warning detection systems and rapid response units for bias incidents.

First, these laws should be enacted around the country and must be enforced. People who intimidate or interfere with people attending synagogues should be prosecuted.

Second, additional protections should be instituted around the country. Ideas include:

Banning the wearing of face coverings/ masks at events;
Banning loudspeakers and noisemakers;
Hold the organization which call for rallies outside of synagogues – especially when using inflammatory language like “rage” – accountable;
add “buffer zones” of hundred-plus feet in which protestors cannot approach a synagogue, Jewish school or community center, similar to perimeters for abortion clinics.

The United States protects free speech, as well as freedom of assembly and worship. It does not provide protection for people to threaten, intimidate or interfere with others, especially at a house of worship. Legal protections must be enhanced and enforced to address the alarming rise of antisemitism.