Posted on 11/11/21
| News Source: Times of Israel
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, in her first public address to the state’s Jewish community on Wednesday, said she opposes moves by members of her party against Israel.
“As a member of Congress a decade ago, I stood firm with Israel when they were under assault, and even more recently as a Democrat now I reject the individuals in my party who are making this an issue and questioning our commitment to Israel,” Hochul said in an address at a virtual meeting for the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.
She called for boosting trade and technological ties between New York and Israel, including in the health care field, and said she planned on leading a trade mission to Israel.
Hochul said she had planned a family trip to Israel for the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of the month but had postponed the visit when she became governor.
She vowed support and security for New York’s Jewish community during the Wednesday talk amid a rise in antisemitism.
“For so long this community has been under assault. We talk about the rise in hate crimes against individuals who should never have that fear in their hearts,” she said.
“I’m conscious of what is going on, very much so, and working very hard to make sure the resources are there from the state government to fund security programs,” she said.