NEW YORK — The New York State legislature passed a law that creates buffer zones around houses of worship on Tuesday, after a lengthy legislative battle spurred by a protest outside a synagogue last year.

The law establishes 50-foot (15-meter) protected areas around the entrances to places of religious worship, including some sites for education and community centers.

Law enforcement that is handling protests at houses of worship may establish a perimeter beyond the 50-foot limit.

Interfering with access to a place of worship is a class B misdemeanor, according to the law.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul had pushed for the bill’s inclusion in the state budget.

“Every New Yorker should be able to enter their house of worship and practice their religion without fear. As we’re witnessing an alarming rise in hate-fueled attacks and blatant antisemitism, I’m grateful my buffer zones legislation has passed and New Yorkers will be safer because of it,” Hochul said in a statement to The Times of Israel.

The push for buffer zones began after a vitriolic protest at a New York City synagogue late last year. That demonstration was followed by other protests outside synagogues in the city that saw demonstrators harass Jewish passersby, shout violent slogans, chant in support of Hamas and wave Hezbollah flags.

The protests targeted events at the synagogues linked to West Bank........

© The Times of Israel