NEW YORK (1010 WINS/AP) — Gov. Kathy Hochul will travel to Israel on Tuesday for a "solidarity mission" ahead of President Joe Biden's trip to the country on Wednesday.
"During these difficult times, it's more important than ever for New York to show up in support of Israel," Hochul said in a statement late Monday. "Tomorrow I'll be traveling to Israel for a solidarity mission where I plan to meet with diplomatic leaders and communities who have been devastated by the horrific Hamas attacks. New York will show the world that we stand with Israel – today, tomorrow and forever."
The trip comes a little over a week after the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israeli towns and ahead of a looming ground invasion of Gaza by the Israeli military. More than 1,400 Israelis and 2,700 Palestinians have been killed in the attacks and ongoing fighting, according to Israel and the Gaza Health Ministry.
Gov. Hochul delivers remarks at NY Stands with Israel Vigil and Rally on Oct. 10, 2023.Darren McGee/ Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
New York has the largest percentage of Jews among all the U.S. states, according to the American Jewish Population Project at Brandeis University.
Hochul also said Tuesday that the she led a coalition of 17 U.S. governors in issuing a joint letter to federal leaders "to express the broad support for Israel and condemnation of terror attacks from Hamas."
Among the governors who signed the letter were Gov. Phil Murphy, of New Jersey, and Gov. Ned Lamont, of Connecticut. Read the letter below.
"The bonds between America and Israel are unbreakable – now and forever," Hochul said in a statement Tuesday. "As the Governor of the largest Jewish population outside Israel, I recognize we have a unique and solemn responsibility to support Israel during this critical moment. I'm proud to stand with my fellow Governors to show our support for Israel, and grateful to my colleagues for their bold moral leadership."
In recent days, Hochul has met with Israel's U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan and attended vigils and rallies in support of Israel, including in New York City. She also lit state landmarks in blue and white, the colors of Israel's flag, and ordered flags to be flown at half-staff to commemorate the victims of the terror attacks.
Biden will travel to Israel on Wednesday to show support for the U.S. ally amid concerns the Israel-Hamas war could become a larger regional conflict, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said early Tuesday in Tel Aviv.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2nd R, Rear) meets with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (C, Front) at the HaKirya military base in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Oct. 12, 2023.Haim Zach/GPO/Handout via Xinhua
Biden will then go to Jordan to meet with Arab leaders, according to White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.
Blinken's announcement followed hours of talks with Israeli officials, as well as an invitation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
As the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip grows more dire, Blinken also said the U.S. and Israel had agreed to develop a plan to enable humanitarian aid from donor nations to reach civilians in Gaza, "including the possibility of creating areas to help keep civilians out of harm's way."
"We share Israel's concern that Hamas may seize or destroy aid entering Gaza or otherwise prevent it from reaching the people who need it," Blinken said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
