New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s trip to Israel amid its escalating war with Hamas is about showing support for the Israeli people at a time of crisis, the Democrat told reporters before departing for the Middle East on Tuesday.
For her first time as governor, Hochul is taking an official international trip, heading out for what she’s calling a three-day “solidarity mission” to Israel. The governor said she couldn’t divulge the details of her itinerary because of security concerns, but said she plans on meeting with diplomatic leaders and visiting communities that have been “devastated by the horrific Hamas attacks.”
While speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Hochul said her trip is meant to show that New York will “continue to be staunch allies of Israel and all countries that seek to exercise their rights freely without fear from terrorists.”
“I go in a mission of solidarity and … also a mission of support,” she said. “That is my message to New Yorkers and those I’ll be visiting.”
The trip marks Hochul’s latest effort to further cement herself as one of the state’s staunchest supporters of Israel, even as the ongoing conflict is leading to division among her party’s left wing.
The war has so far left thousands dead, with the Israeli military carrying out sustained strikes on the Palestinian territory of Gaza after the militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7.
“New York will show the world that we stand with Israel – today, tomorrow and forever,” Hochul said in a statement announcing her trip.
Hochul’s trip comes just days after Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat, visited Israel over the weekend on a bipartisan trip — during which he and his colleagues had to seek shelter amid rocket attacks. President Joe Biden is scheduled to fly to Israel this week, as are the CEOs of a number of U.S.-based Jewish organizations.
In the days since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, Hochul has used her public…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply