New York Bill Aims to Criminalize Terror Group Flags at Anti-Israel Protests

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A new legislative proposal in New York could result in anti-Israel protesters facing up to four years in prison if they display flags of recognized terrorist organizations such as Hamas or Hezbollah. The Stand Against Flags of Enemy Terrorists (S.A.F.E.T.Y.) Act seeks to expand the definition of aggravated harassment in the first degree, making it a class E felony to publicly display the symbols of foreign terrorist organizations with the intent to harass, threaten, or intimidate others.  

 

The bill is being introduced by Manhattan Democrats state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblyman Micah Lasher. According to Lasher, the proposed law aligns with existing statutes that prohibit the use of hate symbols such as swastikas, nooses, and flaming crosses. “New York has long recognized there are some symbols that ‘cross the line’ from free speech to fomenting hate and harassment—and the emblems of mass-murdering terrorist organizations certainly belong in that category,” he said.  

 

Jewish New Yorkers have increasingly faced harassment and threats, particularly in the wake of Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. That attack, which resulted in war and renewed conflicts with other groups like Hezbollah, has fueled a surge in antisemitic incidents across New York. Anti-Israel protesters in the city have been known to display the flags and symbols of these organizations, using them to provoke and intimidate.

 

On February 23, more than 150 demonstrators gathered in Washington Square Park, where a Hezbollah flag was raised as protesters chanted antisemitic slogans in tribute to Hamas leaders involved in planning the October 7 attack.  

 

Sen. Hoylman-Sigal expressed concern over this rise in antisemitism, stating, “Since the October 7th terror attack in Israel, we’ve witnessed a disturbing rise in antisemitic instances here at home, including using symbols and flags of terrorist organizations to harass and intimidate Jewish New Yorkers at their synagogues, businesses, and homes, simply because they’re Jewish.”

 

He emphasized that current laws already prohibit the use of symbols from groups like the Ku Klux Klan and Neo-Nazis to intimidate people and argued that the same restrictions should be applied to symbols associated with foreign terrorist organizations. “No one should be allowed to threaten or harass a New Yorker because they’re Jewish, or any other aspect of their identity protected under state law,” he said.  

 

Assemblyman Lasher underscored the importance of the bill, describing it as a necessary measure to combat rising antisemitism. “The S.A.F.E.T.Y. Act will establish an important new tool in the fight against dangerous antisemitism that has sickeningly flourished since the horrific terrorist attack against Israel on October 7th,” he said.  

 

Eric Goldstein, CEO of the United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York, voiced support for the legislation, calling the rise in antisemitic harassment “alarming.” He stressed the need to ensure that Jewish New Yorkers do not feel unsafe in their own communities. “No one should have to face intimidation or the feeling that they are unsafe because of their Jewish identity,” he said. “The S.A.F.E.T.Y. Act is a necessary and sensible measure to prevent the use of terrorist symbols as a tool of hate and intimidation.”  

 

The introduction of this bill comes at a time when tensions on New York college campuses have been escalating. Last week, a group of anti-Israel protesters, many wearing keffiyehs, took over the administration building at Barnard College in Manhattan and reportedly assaulted a security guard. In another incident, an event scheduled at the City College campus in Harlem was canceled by Gov. Kathy Hochul and CUNY due to security concerns over potential disruptions by anti-Israel demonstrators.  

 

If the bill passes, it would add to the state’s existing measures against hate crimes and antisemitic harassment. It would ensure that the public display of terrorist group symbols with the intent to harass or intimidate is treated as a serious criminal offense, reinforcing New York’s stance against hate and extremism.

 

Based on a report by NYP  2025-03-04

 

 

[Snackbar]

No chance

[Purdey]

I would like to know what J.D. Vance has to say. 

[BangkokHank]

So genocide is OK, but opposing genocide is terrorism? What a sick world we are living in.

[Luuk Chaai]

arrest them ... do not pass go,,  do not collect money .. just load them on a plane and drop them off in Gaza .. preferably from  1000 ft....  asap 

[jimmybcool]

7 hours ago, BangkokHank said:

So genocide is OK, but opposing genocide is terrorism? What a sick world we are living in.

How is endorsing Hamas or other terrorist organizations opposing genocide?