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

[Social Media]

 

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. 

[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 

[impulse]

Prison terms just for holding a flag is a scary proposition.  The start of a very slippery slope.

 

[bamnutsak]

Free speech...

 

unless I don't like what you're saying.

 

Classic.

 

 

Now do Nazi and confederate flags.

 

 

 

[Mike_Hunt]

The courts will strike this down. 

[JonnyF]

1 hour ago, impulse said:

Prison terms just for holding a flag is a scary proposition.  The start of a very slippery slope.

 

 

A slope that the UK under Starmer is already half way down, picking up speed.

 

I suggest the US refrains from such tyranny. 

[Social Media]

A post with conspiracy theory weblink and further unsubstantiated claims have been removed @BangkokHank along with the responses to it.

[jimmybcool]

12 hours ago, bamnutsak said:

Free speech...

 

unless I don't like what you're saying.

 

Classic.

 

 

Now do Nazi and confederate flags.

 

 

 

 

I agree Nazi flags are abhorrent.  I think they are banned in many places but even if not so be it.  The difference is though subtle very real.  Hamas and other current terror groups are committing atrocities NOW not 80 years ago.  The people waving flags for Hamas and other Islamic terror groups are intimating American citizens of Jewish faith NOW.  They wave the flags with intent to intimidate. 

 

Not sure I care about confederate flags since that war is SOOOOOO long ago and they were in rebellion not a terror group or one that committed genocide on millions.  I seriously don't fear a rise of the south again based on some guys with old flags.

 

 

[Harrisfan]

13 hours ago, impulse said:

Prison terms just for holding a flag is a scary proposition.  The start of a very slippery slope.

 

I would fine them. Like a traffic offence. $1000 per flag.

[Evil Penevil]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

Prison terms just for holding a flag is a scary proposition.  The start of a very slippery slope.

 

The crime is not just holding a flag. As the OP explains, the intent to "harass, threaten, or intimidate" is what makes it criminal. My bold text.

 

On 3/3/2025 at 7:04 PM, Social Media said:

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 text of the NY state law that is being amended to include terrorist flags:  https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/240.31   The national flag of Palestine would NOT be forbidden under the statute, only the flags of terror groups like Hamas or Hezbollah displayed with the intent to intimidate others.  There have been cases where Palestinian supporters have waved terror-group flags in the faces of Jews or in front of synagogues.

 

1 hour ago, bamnutsak said:

Now do Nazi and confederate flags.

They already have been banned:

 

NY Gov. Kathy Hochul bans the Confederate flag, other hate symbols on public property

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation Tuesday barring the display of symbols of hate on all public property and equipment after a fire truck decorated with a Confederate flag sparked outrage last year.

https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/in-the-news/2021/anna-m-kaplan/ny-gov-kathy-hochul-bans-confederate-flag-other-hate