opinion

Hochul is the leader NY needs to combat antisemitism

Posted Thursday, June 18, 2026 12:00 am

SIGNING IT: After speaking at the Met Council Legislative Breakfast just before the Israel on Fifth Parade on May 31, Gov. Kathy Hochul signs “Keeping New Yorkers Safe” legislation. The law mandates 50-foot security perimeters around houses of worship in which protests are not allowed. Happily watching, from left: Met Council CEO and Executive Director David Greenfield, City Council Speaker Julie Menin, and UJA-Federation of New York CEO Eric Goldstein.

Ed Weintrob, The Jewish Star

Betty Cotton

Gov. Hochul is setting an example of what taking action to fight antisemitism looks like.”

By Betty Cotton

Across the country, Jewish families and individuals are concerned about the explosion of antisemitism around the world. This rise in antisemitism, both online and in our communities, can feel overwhelming — but we know we are not without solutions.

In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul is setting an example of what taking action to fight antisemitism looks like. Since taking office, she has invested over $131 million to protect organizations at risk of hate crimes,helping provide the security and screening that gives congregants peace of mind to worship, knowing they will be safe.

But the investment needed to combat the rising tide of antisemitism isn’t just financial. It requires decisive policy action, changing hearts and minds through education, working together, and recommitting ourselves to upholding our shared commitment to justice, equality, and freedom for all.

After we saw the abhorrent protests outside Park East Synagogue on the Upper East Side — including pro-terror signs and hateful rhetoric that crossed the line into harassment — Gov. Hochul took quick action.

Blocking entrances to any house of worship is unacceptable. In this year’s state budget, she signed buffer zone legislation into law, establishing a 50-foot security perimeter around houses of worship to ensure the safety of all.

This kind of leadership is what we need to lower the temperature and send a strong message that hate will not be tolerated in New York.

Gov. Hochul has also taken decisive action to fight and prevent hate crimes. She has expanded the list of crimes eligible to be charged as hate crimes and cracked down on those who mask their identities to commit crimes, ensuring that no one can evade accountability. In the face of rising antisemitism on college campuses, she mandated Title VI anti-discrimination coordinators to protect all in higher education.

As we saw when she proudly marched in the Israel Day Parade, Gov. Hochul has time and again chosen to stand with and march alongside the Jewish community. From being the first governor to visit Israel following Hamas’ heinous terrorist attack on October 7, to her all-of-government approach to fighting antisemitism, she has taken on the tough fights on behalf of Jewish New Yorkers, even when it wasn’t easy.

On issues like combating antisemitism, we need a pragmatic center that pulls people together — someone who doesn’t just listen, but acts on what she is hearing from everyday New Yorkers concerned about their safety. I firmly believe the center must hold for New Yorkers to stay together – something I have worked over many years.

Gov. Hochul is a champion for the Jewish community during a very difficult and stressful period. She has demonstrated time after time that she is a leader who listens and acts to keep New Yorkers safe, from combating antisemitism to addressing so many other issues facing our community.

Betty Cotton, of Purchase NY, is a member of Women for Hochul.