This week, New York City Councilwoman Inna Vernikov announced her resignation from the women’s caucus, an advocacy group of female members within the legislative body.
In a video message explaining her decision, Vernikov, a Ukrainian-born Jewish attorney who represents the 48th district, cited her disgust at the caucus’s refusal to issue a statement in support of the female Israeli hostages and against Hamas as well as the absurd woke policy of permitting biological males to join the group.
“How can I condemn and call out all these women’s organizations who stayed completely silent since October 7, 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?” Vernikov said in the video, mentioning the footage of the young female captives who were released by Hamas “being absolutely terrified while they’re surrounded by jihadis covered in masks and weapons drawn.”
Two fellow members, caucus co-chair Julie Menin (D-Manhattan) and Lynn Schulman (D-Queens) issued a joint statement asserting that “[a]s was explained to Councilmember Vernikov, members decided to put out their own personal statements, given that some of us had actually visited with hostage families in Israel, which we felt was more personal and powerful,” and accused her or politicizing the issue.
Vernikov, a Republican who switched parties in 2021 and is one of only six Republicans on the City Council – she flipped former Councilman Chaim Deutsch’s seat – added, “On top of that, this is a caucus that obviously cannot agree on what a woman is,” noting that one of the first items on the Women’s Caucus agenda was to amend their bylaws to allow female-identified members into the group.
“I’m out!” the message concluded.
The Jewish Press spoke to Vernikov, the minority whip whose district includes Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, Gravesend, and parts of Midwood and Sheepshead Bay, about her decision.
What it is like being a Republican, a Trump supporter, and a strong voice for Israel and the Jewish people in the New York City Council today?
While I certainly do have allies on the Council in all of those intersecting groups, it is a large task to stand against the grain in a body that is completely controlled by a loud, radical left-wing, woke minority. Others may bend [their] knee to their absurdities but I never will. I’m accountable to the needs of my constituents and I will always advocate for what I believe is right and best for this city.
What communications did you have with the Women’s Caucus before announcing your departure from the group? Had you tried to push for a statement supporting the hostages, and if so, how did that go? Did you have any allies on this issue?
I asked them to make a statement of support for the female hostages last week and was told that everyone can make their own statements, and that it would be too complex to put out such a statement without “context,” which cemented my decision to leave the caucus. I gave in my official resignation on Friday.
[Editor’s note: The Jewish Press could not find any record of caucus co-chair Julie Menin and Lynn Schulman speaking out in support of the hostages.]
What kinds of reactions to your announcement have you received from your constituents, colleagues, Jewish groups, or others? How do you respond to the dismissive characterization of you by those caucus members who said they personally met with hostage families?
The response has been one of overwhelming support. [My] message has been shared widely on social media and the outpouring of love [I’ve] received is just further assurance that this was the right choice. Some of my colleagues have accused me of politicizing the issue, which is a bit ironic considering that they opted not to make a statement for purely political reasons. It’s good to politicize this issue and speak up about the release of innocent hostages!
In your video, you spoke about two issues that compelled you to part ways with the Women’s Caucus – in addition to their failure to speak out against the torture and horrific violation of Jewish women by Hamas, you mentioned the absurd woke policy that would allow biological males to join the caucus. Would either one of these issues alone have been enough to make you leave?
The issue of allowing biological men to join the caucus, which has been present in the bylaws for some time, already had me with one foot out the door. But the refusal to even signal support for women – real women, not surgically-created women – was the last straw for me.
Have any biological males joined the caucus?
Not yet!
You previously left the Council’s Women’s Caucus, back in 2022, but subsequently returned. What convinced you to return? What’s different about this time around?
My Republican colleagues and I did leave very briefly, but decided to return to be a voice on the inside. This body is completely co-opted by a radical agenda and, in my opinion, remaining part of it is complicity in that agenda.
The moral failings you raise are presumably not limited to the Women’s Caucus of the City Council. Are you considering running for statewide or national office or seeking another public service path where you can make a difference?
I am always open to better ways to continue supporting my constituents, and building a wider platform to talk about the issues that matter most to them. Currently, I am running for reelection to continue to serve the people of the 48th district. However, I won’t deny that there is a lot of work to be done on the statewide and national level to push back against the complete insanity that many in leadership and government advocate for.
