‘Doesn’t impact my life’ if someone sits in their basement hating me, Jewish NY City Council member says

Inna Vernikov, a Jewish Republican New York City Council member, discussed her political motivations and experiences with JNS, emphasizing her commitment to fighting antisemitism. Originally from Ukraine, Vernikov, 41, represents Brooklyn's 48th district, which includes significant Orthodox Jewish and Russian-speaking communities. She is a vocal critic of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whom she called "a liar" and "a fake," particularly regarding his stance on Israel and his socialist policies, which she views critically due to her Soviet upbringing. Vernikov co-chairs the City Council’s bipartisan task force on Jew-hatred and has introduced legislation to address obstruction at educational facilities, though her bill with misdemeanor penalties did not pass. She stated, "I don’t care that people hate me," but is concerned "when that antisemitism is emboldened, then when it comes out, and when there’s action—when they act upon it."