Hochul says she will travel to Israel on a 'solidarity mission'

WRVO | By Associated Press

Published October 17, 2023 at 4:44 AM EDT

FILE — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks to reporters about end of session legislative bills and a swearing-in ceremony, in Albany, N.Y., June 7, 2023. Hochul is toughening her public safety platform to help Democrats retake control of the House, a strategic reset after Republicans won a series of upsets in the state's congressional races by seizing on concerns over crime. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink, File) — FILE — New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks to reporters about end of session legislative bills and a swearing-in ceremony, in Albany, N.Y., June 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — The governor of New York announced she will travel to Israel on Tuesday for a "solidarity mission" with the nation.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said in a written statement Monday evening that she plans to meet with diplomatic leaders and communities devastated after the unprecedented surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israeli towns on Oct. 7,

"During these difficult times, it's more important than ever for New York to show up in support of Israel," said Hochul, pledging New York "will show the world that we stand with Israel – today, tomorrow and forever."

Hochul's announced trip comes as President Joe Biden plans to travel to Israel and on to Jordan Wednesday to meet with both Israeli and Arab leadership, as concerns increase that the raging Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.

New York has the largest percentage of Jews among all the U.S. states; it was home to 21% of the nation's 7.6 million Jewish people as of 2020, according to the American Jewish Population Project at Brandeis University.