Anti-Israel protesters who wave flags linked to terror groups could be jailed if NY law passes

The office of New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who is a Democrat, confirmed to Fox News that the lawmaker is introducing the bill, known as the Stand Against Flags of Enemy Terrorists Act.

Those found guilty could face up to four years in jail.

Hoylman-Sigal is introducing the bill along with New York Assemblyman Micah Lasher, who is also a Democrat.

"We've already criminalized burning crosses, swastikas and nooses," Ariola said. "Why not this new wave of how to threaten and terrorize people of a certain religion or ethnicity?"

Ariola said that while groups like the American Civil Liberties Union may challenge the proposed bill on free speech grounds, the flags of terrorist organizations "are messages of hate."

Last month, anti-Israel protesters were arrested at New York City's Barnard College after agitators took over a building on campus. A week earlier, violent clashes broke out in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in New York City, where agitators chanted, "Zionists go to hell."

Fox News' Kitty Le Claire contributed to this report.