Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in Jerusalem on Wednesday, as the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas -- now extended for five days -- ticked towards a midnight deadline. Netanyahu welcomed the New York governor's support, and said that he rejects any moral equivalence made between Israel's intentions and those of Hamas. "I want to thank you for coming here, for standing clearly with Israel, representing the American people and the people of New York, and also representing the rejection of this false symmetry. ... Just as you wouldn't put America and ISIS on the same moral plane, you'd never put Israel and Hamas on the same moral plane," Netanyahu said. Governor Cuomo said New Yorkers' experience after the 9/11 attacks gave his state a different perspective. "And I speak for all New Yorkers when I say: We stand in solidarity with Israel. The fight that you fight is the fight against terror. Unfortunately in New York, we've had a rude awakening to the pain and suffering that terror can cause in 9/11. So we have a special sensitivity in our hearts for what you're going through now," Cuomo said. Earlier, Cuomo met with President Reuven Rivlin, who thanked Cuomo for visiting during such a sensitive time. Cuomo stressed the bond between the U.S. -- particularly New York -- and Israel, saying, "The United States has always been a strong ally of Israel on many levels. We've felt that especially strong in the State of New York. There are 1.7 million Jews in the State of New York, more than anywhere else besides Israel."
New Yorkers feel solidarity with Israel, Cuomo says in Jerusalem
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo makes his fourth trip to Israel, tells PM Netanyahu, President Rivlin that New York supports Israel, identifies with the threat of terrorism since 9/11 • Cuomo: "The fight that you fight is the fight against terror."
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