A 40-year-old Republican councilwoman makes a bold move against what she perceives as the City Council's Women's Caucus's failure to support Jewish women.
According to the New York Post, Brooklyn Councilwoman Inna Vernikov announced her departure from the 30-member Women's Caucus, citing the group's refusal to condemn Hamas terrorists following the October 7, 2023 massacre in Israel and its progressive gender policies.
Vernikov expressed her frustration through a 90-second video obtained exclusively by the New York Post. The footage includes scenes of Jewish women being released from Hamas captivity, emphasizing the emotional weight behind her decision to leave the caucus.
The caucus's co-chair, Julie Menin, and member Lynn Schulman, both Jewish Democrats, defended their approach to handling the Israel-Hamas conflict. They explained that members had chosen to issue individual statements rather than a collective response. Both politicians had personally visited hostage families in Israel during 2024.
The Jewish Caucus of the City Council has adopted a similar strategy, allowing members to make personal statements about Israeli hostages rather than releasing joint declarations. Eric Dinowitz, the Jewish Caucus chairperson, confirmed this approach.
This departure marks another chapter in Vernikov's complex relationship with the Women's Caucus. She previously left the group in 2022 alongside fellow Republicans Joann Ariola and Vickie Paladino, though they later returned to the organization.
Vernikov added another dimension to her criticism by highlighting the caucus's inclusive membership policies. She specifically pointed to bylaws that permit council members who "identify as women" to join the group, potentially allowing transgender individuals to become members.
In the video announcement, Vernikov stated:
How can I condemn and call out all these women organizations who've stayed completely silent [after the massacre] but continue sitting in a body that's supposed to stand up for women's rights, that's supposed to stand against the abuse and rape and captivity of women, but cannot do that when it comes to Jewish women?
The departure reduces the caucus membership to 29, with 26 Democrats and three Republicans remaining. This shift comes after a historic 2021 election when women achieved majority control of the City Council's 51 seats for the first time.
Vernikov's stance on Israel-related issues has previously garnered attention. In October 2023, she faced legal troubles after being photographed carrying a firearm while observing an anti-Israel rally at Brooklyn College following the Hamas attack.
Though initially arrested on felony gun charges, prosecutors ultimately dropped the case when they couldn't prove the weapon's functionality. Some political analysts suggest this incident actually boosted her re-election campaign by strengthening support among pro-Israel voters in her heavily Jewish district.
The departure of Councilwoman Inna Vernikov from the New York City Council's Women's Caucus stems from disagreements over the group's response to the Hamas attacks on Israel and its gender identity policies. Her decision to leave reflects broader tensions within city politics regarding international conflicts and progressive policies.
While the Women's Caucus maintains its position on allowing individual responses to the hostage situation, Vernikov's exit highlights ongoing debates about the role of identity politics and international issues in local government.
