Gov. Hochul likely to clash with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani over bill banning protests near synagogues, other houses of worship

ALBANY – Gov. Kathy Hochul will push to restrict protests near houses of worship in the upcoming state budget negotiations – setting up a possible policy clash with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, The Post has learned.

A governor’s office source said establishing buffer zones between religious sanctuaries and demonstrations – a proposal gaining steam in the wake of an anti-Israel mob descending on a Manhattan synagogue last month – will be part of her agenda when lawmakers return to Albany next month.

Assemblyman Micah Lasher (D-Manhattan) and State Sen. Sam Sutton (D-Brooklyn) have introduced state legislation that would ban demonstrations within 25-feet of the entrances and parking lots to houses of worship and abortion clinics.

Asked about the Nov. 19 protest outside Park East Synagogue, Hochul said she supported restricting rallies from taking place in the immediate vicinity of places of prayer, but quickly noted that she wasn’t backing a specific bill.

“I’m very interested in protecting the rights of individuals to worship in any location, place, house of worship or sensitive locations, and so I’m actually willing to look seriously at a buffer to protect that fundamental right we have,” Hochul said Thursday.

Mamdani was noncommittal when asked about the legislation proposed by Lasher and Sutton.

“I look forward to speaking with community leaders, with elected leaders and with legal experts before making any determinations on that legislation,” he said Thursday.

The democratic socialist and fierce critic of Israel has been slammed for his response to the protest, which took place over the Upper East Side synagogue hosting an Israeli organization.

Mamdani in part criticized the synagogue for renting a space to Nefesh B’Nefesh, an organization that helps relocate Jews to Israel, saying “these sacred spaces should not be used to promote activities in violation of international law,” in a statement from spokesperson Dora Pekec.

Even Hochul, who endorsed the far-left Queens assemblyman for mayor, distanced herself from the incoming mayor’s claim that the synagogue was helping promote illegal activity.

“I do not agree with that assessment,” Hochul told reporters when asked about Mamdani’s statement. “I’m not characterizing his behavior, I’m just simply saying I don’t agree with it,” she added.

She also said she doesn’t believe Mamdani has the authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, if he were to come to New York, as the incoming mayor has repeatedly promised.

“No, I do not, and the New York City mayor has not had the power to do that.” Hochul said.

Lasher, who is running for congress in the crowded 12th Congressional District primary, said he was glad Hochul supported protest buffer zones around houses of worship.

“I’m heartened by Governor Hochul’s support for common sense legislation to ensure people can freely come and go from their houses of worship,” he told The Post. “What happened at Park East Synagogue was ugly and unacceptable and can’t become the new normal.”

— Additional reporting by Matthew Fischetti