‘Hineini’ – Cuomo Delivers Message Against Anti-Semitism on Israel Trip

JERUSALEM – New York Governor Andrew Cuomo touted his state’s forceful response to a rash of anti-Semitic attacks as he visited Israel on Sunday.

“New York’s principles are built on a rock. They will not change, and the political winds will not change them,” Cuomo said in a joint appearance with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, following a tour of Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. “To the people of Israel, I say that these acts will not be tolerated. New York State has reacted aggressively with extraordinary measures, more aggressively than any other state in the nation – I am proud to say.”

Cuomo said the purpose of this 24-hour trip was to send a message: “Hineini. I am here. I’ve been here before. I will be here again. Our relationship is enduring. The relationship between the people of the Jewish community and the state of New York is built on mutual support and respect. It’s built on love. And that will not change.”

The New York Governor added that the other purpose of the visit was to strengthen the relationship between New York and Israel through economic developments at a time when some are seeking to weaken that relationship.

On the first stop of his Israel trip, Cuomo toured Yad Vashem, visited the Hall of Names and kindled the Memorial Torch and laid a wreath at the Hall of Remembrance.  A visibly moved Cuomo described the tour as “powerful” and a reminder of the potential danger of turning a blind eye to attacks against the Jewish people. “We must live by the rule that an affront to one is an affront to all,” he stressed. “Large fires start as small fires. And we must have zero tolerance for any abuse or discrimination about any fellow human being.”

President Rivlin, in his remarks, called Cuomo’s visit an “extremely important signal” and “powerful message” that the U.S. government and the American people will not let anti-Semitism win.

Rivlin also thanked President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence for speaking out against the recent wave of anti-Semitism and the desecration of Jewish cemeteries across the United States.