NEW YORK (VINnews) – New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed legislation Sunday creating protective buffer zones around houses of worship during an event hosted by Met Council, one of the nation’s largest Jewish social service organizations.

The bill establishes 50-foot security perimeters around houses of worship and other religious institutions where protests are prohibited, a measure supporters say is designed to protect worshippers from harassment and intimidation.

More than 600 elected officials, government leaders, clergy members and community stakeholders gathered at Manhattan’s Cipriani 42nd Street for Met Council’s annual legislative breakfast ahead of New York City’s Israel Day Parade. The event highlighted the organization’s work serving more than 350,000 New Yorkers through food pantries, senior services, social programs and anti-poverty initiatives.

“Everyone should be able to walk into their place of worship without fear of harassment or intimidation,” Hochul said during the bill signing.

David G. Greenfield, CEO of Met Council, praised Hochul’s support for the Jewish community, saying no governor in New York history has done more to protect Jewish New Yorkers. The gathering also underscored Met Council’s role as a major provider of social services and its ability to bring together leaders from across government and the nonprofit sector.

.@GovKathyHochul signs NYS buffer bill at the @MetCouncil legislative breakfast in NYC. Powerful words as she stands in solidarity with NY’s Jewish community pic.twitter.com/2GPM4CWZFG

— Joni Kletter (@JoniKletter) May 31, 2026

No Governor in New York history has done more to protect the Jewish community than @GovKathyHochul.

Honored to host the Governor this morning for her “buffer bill” signing in front of 500 guests @MetCouncil’s annual legislative breakfast.

👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/KAvbASxjgr

— David G. Greenfield (@NYCGreenfield) May 31, 2026

Everyone should be able to walk into their place of worship without fear of harassment or intimidation.

Alongside Jewish leaders and community members, today we made that the law in New York. pic.twitter.com/fjQ1mzzDer

— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) May 31, 2026