Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday that her job would be “a lot easier” if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu loses his bid to remain in power.
“A lot easier. And here’s the challenge: I represent the largest Jewish population in the world outside of Israel,” Hochul told Politico Magazine when asked “How much easier would your job get if [Benjamin] Netanyahu loses?”
“And I know they’re suffering,” Hochul continued. “A lot of people are anxious about antisemitism, which is sky-high right now. And I take that personally, because I represent everyone. I went to Israel right after Oct. 7. I saw a lot of pain there. But I actually cautioned the government there, in private conversations, not to overreach.”
Israelis cast their ballots on Tuesday in the country’s first general election since the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre. Tuesday’s election in Israel notably came just one week before the U.S. midterm elections – which includes Hochul’s race to retain her position as New York’s top leader.
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“The world is with you when it comes to the brutal assault by a terrorist organization known as Hamas on innocent Israeli people,” she continued. “An overreach could change that dynamic, and that’s what’s happened.”
The Democratic governor went on to say that she does not believe it is currently in Netanyahu’s “interest” to “have a safe Palestinian state.”
Hochul is not the only prominent New York Democrat to criticize Netanyahu. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been even more outspoken, calling the Israeli leader “the architect of horrific genocide against Palestinians” in September.
Hochul is also facing voters in November, but a Siena Research Institute poll released Wednesday showed her holding a 14-point lead over Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman, 54% to 40%.
Hochul notably issued a proclamation on May 11 recognizing the month as Jewish American Heritage Month in her state.
“We have to have leadership there that understands the security of Israel is paramount — critically important to me, but also the world — but to have a safe Palestinian state as well, which has been talked about my entire life,” Hochul told Politico Magazine. “I still believe that this can happen. I believe we have to get people of goodwill who can make this happen, and as long as Netanyahu is sitting there, that is not in his interest to do that. It’s just not, and it won’t happen.”
When reached for comment, Hochul’s office directed Fox News Digital to the governor’s remarks to Spectrum News NY1 during a Q&A with the press in New York City on Wednesday.
“Well, that’s certainly [voters’] prerogative to decide who they want to lead Israel,” Hochul told NY1. “It’s not mine. But I was simply asked a question, if you see how it’s framed. Would your life be a lot easier if Netanyahu was not the leader of Israel? I’m like, yes.”
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Tuesday’s vote marked a major test for Netanyahu’s political future as Israelis headed to the polls for the first time since the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.
“I am proud of Israel’s democratic process,” Israeli U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon told Fox News Digital. “Yesterday, millions of Israelis exercised their democratic right to vote, with voter turnout reaching one of the highest levels recorded in Israel this century – 77.7%. The Israeli people have made their voices heard, and their democratic choice deserves to be respected.”
“I encourage all elected officials in the United States to respect Israel’s democratic process, just as Israel respects the democratic process in the United States,” Danon added. “Our shared commitment to democracy is a fundamental pillar of the strong and enduring partnership between our two countries.”
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With about 70% of the votes tallied as of Wednesday morning, partial results reported by Israeli media showed Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc leading with 54 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, versus 47 for the main opposition and 19 for Arab parties.
