New York plans to ban masks on the subway following “anti-Semitic” protests

(NewsNation) — Face masks could soon be banned on the New York City subway following recent pro-Palestinian protests.

The idea comes from concerns about safety and well-being after a wave of activity that some consider anti-Semitic in the city.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she was considering a partial ban on masks on the city’s subway after masked protesters boarded and began shouting and chanting. Some riders reported feeling scared while riding in subway cars with protesters between stops. Hochul told reporters it was a problem that needed to be addressed.

“We will not tolerate individuals using masks to avoid responsibility for criminal or threatening behavior,” Hochul said. “My team is working on a solution, but in a subway, people should not be able to hide behind a mask to commit crimes.”

Anti-Jewish hate crimes were on the rise even before this week, jumping 150% in May compared to the same month last year, according to NYPD statistics, which show that anti-Jewish crimes led to an increase overall hate crimes in the city.

Reported discrimination and attacks in the United States against Muslims and Palestinians also reached a record high last year, fueled by Islamophobia and prejudice amid fighting between Israel and Gaza, Reuters reported.

Hochul also told reporters that the exact details of the proposed policy were still being worked out, but that it would contain “common sense exemptions” for health, cultural or religious reasons.

This policy could be difficult if adopted, as many people in New York still regularly wear masks due to COVID-19.

Hochul says with so many people wearing masks committing crimes, it’s not only a challenge for law enforcement but also, sometimes, impossible to track them down.